Guillen to Play
Surprise, AZ – Jose Guillen is ready to play for the Kansas City Royals. Willie Bloomquist is not.
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Guillen, who had ankle and lower back surgery after his final game on Sept. 2, is penciled in to play in the outfield for the Royals on Wednesday in an intrasquad game.
“I talked to Jose about that today,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said Sunday. “I gave him a heads up. I got him in one of the projected lineups in right field. He’s said he’s good to go.”
The Royals want to see how Guillen, who hit .242 with nine home runs last season in only 81 games, is moving after the two operations. With the addition of outfielders Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel, Guillen will likely get the bulk of his at-bats as the designated hitter.
Bloomquist played in more games (125) and had more at-bats (434) last year with the Kansas City Royals than he had in his previous six seasons with the Seattle Mariners.
It took a toll.
es. He was on crutches for six weeks and spent most of the winter rehabbing at the Royals complex in Surprise.
The Royals have limited Bloomquist’s activities in spring training and he won’t be playing in any of the early exhibition games.
“He can, but I’m not going to let him,” Hillman said. “He’s going to get mad at me. I said in the staff meeting this morning, he’s going to end up being frustrated with me, just the way he’s wired. I’m not going to play him for at least the first week. I’m just going to try to keep his body fresh.”
Hillman said if it was up to Bloomquist he would play three or four innings in the exhibition opener Thursday against the Texas Rangers.
“But I’m not going to do it,” Hillman said. “That’s a decision I made before I got down here. It’s just not a smart thing to do.”
Bloomquist played every position but catcher and pitcher last year, while hitting .265 and led the team with 25 stolen bases in 31 attempts. Hillman said Bloomquist has had no setbacks, but he just wants to be cautious.
Also, Rookie right-handed reliever Victor Marte and catcher Vance Wilson remain sidelined with back problems.
“They’re not even close,” Hillman said. “They are both getting better. I couldn’t tell you when you’ll see them back in action.”
Chicago White Sox, hit .273 last season. Pena hit .273 in 64 games with Kansas City. 1B Billy Butler, INF Alberto Callaspo and RHPs Luke Hochevar and Carlos Rosa are the only unsigned Royals on the 40-man roster. Hillman was impressed with RHP Gil Meche’s mound session Sunday, saying he was down in the zone more than he had been and he broke a couple of bats. “He located his pitches much better,” Hillman said. “His delivery looked a little easier.”
Posted: 2/28/2010 8:50PM ET