One of the Royals’ brightest pitching prospects and several recently acquired veterans have received invitations to big-league camp in Surprise, Ariz. The Royals will have 21 total non-roster players at major-league spring training beginning in February.

Yordano Ventura, 21, leads a group of nine pitchers who received invites. Ventura threw a scoreless inning as the starter for the World team in the Futures All-Star Game in Kansas City last summer. He was the 2012 Wilmington pitcher of the year and a Carolina League All-Star.

Miguel Tejada, Endy Chavez, Xavier Nady and Willy Taveras were among the recently signed veterans who will be in camp.

Here are the key dates for spring training:

Feb. 11: pitchers and catchers report

Feb. 12: first official workout for pitchers and catchers

Feb. 14: infielders and outfielders report

Feb. 15: first official full-squad workout

Feb. 22: Cactus League opener