SURPRISE, Ariz. Left-handed reliever Jos&#xE9; Mijares finally arrived in camp Sunday and went right to work by throwing a bullpen session. He missed five previous practices because of delays related to family and visa issues in Venezuela.</p><p>&#x201C;He is a bit behind,&#x201D; manager Ned Yost said, &#x201C;but he&#x2019;ll be able to catch up real easy. We&#x2019;ve just got to have him ready to throw two innings by the end of spring training.</p><p>&#x201C;Will he ever throw two innings (once the season starts), I don&#x2019;t know. But we want to have him prepared and ready for that.&#x201D;</p><p>The Royals signed Mijares, 27, to a one-year contract in December for $925,000 after he became a free agent when non-tendered by Minnesota. He projects as the Royals&#x2019; situational lefty reliever.</p><p>Mijares said he picked the Royals for a simple reason: &#x201C;More money.&#x201D;</p><p>Club officials previously said Mijares would not be disciplined for his late arrival.</p><p>&#x201C;He&#x2019;s not really behind,&#x201D; Yost said, &#x201C;because he threw deep into the winter in competitive situations. When the majority of our pitchers were doing their conditioning and strength work, he was pitching.&#x201D; </p><p>Mijares went 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings over 11 appearances this winter for the Aragua Tigers in the Venezuelan Winter League.</p><p>&#x201C;I&#x2019;m good right now,&#x201D; he said. &#x201C;I&#x2019;ve been working around my house for the last two weeks. Everything is good.&#x201D;</p><p><span class="subhead">Paulino on mend</span></p><p>Right-hander Felipe Paulino will be re-evaluated after playing catch Sunday morning to determine whether he can take his regular turn today of throwing batting practice.</p><p>Paulino, 28, felt some tightness in his hamstring Friday in a PFP drill (pitchers&#x2019; fielding practice) and skipped his turn Saturday at throwing batting practice.</p><p>&#x201C;No big deal,&#x201D; he said. &#x201C;I&#x2019;m back today in my routine.&#x201D;</p><p>Paulino has been one of the camp&#x2019;s early highlights in exhibiting improved command in side sessions and batting practice. He is one of five top-tier candidates for one of two openings in the rotation.</p><p><span class="subhead">Intrasquad plans</span></p><p>Yost announced tentative pitching assignments for two upcoming intrasquad games. All pitchers are scheduled to throw one inning &#x2014; but no more than 20-25 pitches &#x2014; under games conditions.</p><p>Thursday&#x2019;s pitchers: Vin Mazzaro, Everett Teaford, Nate Adcock, Blake Wood, Ryan Verdugo, Kelvin Herrera, Mike Montgomery, Sean O&#x2019;Sullivan, Will Smith, Louis Coleman, Tim Collins, Tommy Hottovy and Jeremy Jeffress.</p><p>Friday&#x2019;s pitchers: Paulino, Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Joakim Soria, Danny Duffy, Aaron Crow, Greg Holland, Zach Miner, Jake Odorizzi, Chris Dywer, Brandon Sisk, Francisley Bueno and Noel Arguelles.</p><p>Plans call for the club&#x2019;s two big off-season additions, Jonathan Sanchez and Jonathan Broxton, to throw batting practice on Thursday. Luis Mendoza and Mijares are scheduled for Thursday side sessions, although Mijares could shift to the intrasquad game.</p><p>The Royals are easing Sanchez and Broxton through spring drills because both are coming off season-ending injuries. Sanchez battled biceps tendinitis and a severely sprained left ankle. Broxton underwent elbow surgery in September.</p><p>&#x201C;They&#x2019;re not in a competitive situation like other guys are,&#x201D; Yost said. &#x201C;We&#x2019;ve got the luxury of making sure we take our time with them. We don&#x2019;t have to do that. I just think it&#x2019;s smart.&#x201D;</p><p>Mendoza is scheduled to start the Cactus League opener Sunday against Texas.</p><p><span class="subhead">Minor details</span></p><p>Workouts begin today for approximately 70 minor-league players as part of an early camp. The group includes outfielder Bubba Starling, the former Gardner Edgerton standout picked last year fifth overall in the draft.</p><p>The camp is geared primarily toward players projected to play for one of the organization&#x2019;s four full-season affiliates. Full minor-league workouts, comprising about 180 players, are scheduled to start March 5.</p><p><span class="subhead">Looking back</span></p><p>It was nine years ago today &#x2014; Feb. 27, 2003 &#x2014; that the Royals played their first game at Surprise Stadium. They posted a 6-3 victory over complex co-tenant Texas and went on to win the Cactus League title.</p><p>The Royals&#x2019; 20-year contract with the City of Surprise runs through 2022.