HOUSTON | Plans called for outfielder Coco Crisp to begin rehab work Wednesday night on his right shoulder — just a few hours after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in Birmingham, Ala. “I had my surgery today and all went well,” Crisp said through a Twitter message. “I would like to thank all the fans that stood by me through my rough times that I had this season.” The Royals are taking a cautious approach in projecting a timetable for his return to active duty. “It depends on how the rehab process goes,” Hillman cautioned. “There’s a certain point in the rehab process where they determine how fast it’s going to go. I’ve heard six to nine (months), and I’ve heard nine to 12 (months) depending on the severity in terms of the healing of the body.” Anything beyond nine months would put Crisp in jeopardy of not being ready for the start of next season.Buck heads out Catcher John Buck took early batting practice before leaving the squad to catch a flight to Memphis, Tenn., where he’ll join Class AAA Omaha on a rehab playing assignment. Buck is recovering from a herniated disk suffered — he still isn’t sure how — in a May 30 game against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. “I caught that whole inning and didn’t feel a thing,” he said. “I went into the dugout and began clicking the (shin guards) off and felt a little something when I got to the bottom strap in my lower back. “I got up, twisted my body to test it, and it was all right. I put my helmet on, grabbed my bat, ran up the stairs and bent over to pick up the donut and wham. That’s when it happened.” Buck will be limited initially in his catching duties at Omaha — probably no more than three innings in his first game — and serve occasionally as a designated hitter. “But I feel good,” he said. “I’ve felt good for a while. I don’t feel it when I kneel or catch or block balls. Now, it’s just a matter of doing my exercises to prevent it from flaming up again.”More signings The Arkansas double-play combination of shortstop Scott Lyons (15th round) and second baseman Benjamin Tschepikow (17th) are among the four latest signings by the Royals from their recent draft class. The Royals also signed lefty Jonathon Keck, a 42nd-round pick from Bethel College in Tennessee, and outfielder Anthony Howard, a 47th-round pick from Quince Orchard High School in Maryland. The club now had 22 of its 49 selections under contract but none of its top four picks. Minor details The Royals released catcher Matt Tupman from their Class AAA Omaha roster after promoting John Suomi from Class AA Northwest Arkansas. Tupman, 29, was batting .261 with no homers and seven RBIs in 21 games after spending the winter recovering from shoulder surgery. He was in his eighth year with the Royals after being selected in the ninth round of the 2002 draft. Suomi, 28, was picked last December by the Royals from the Phillies in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft.Etc.•Luke Hochevar batted ninth for the Royals — one day after Zack Greinke batted eighth.•There’s no decision yet on a starting pitcher for Saturday in Pittsburgh. Sidney Ponson and Bruce Chen remain the likeliest candidates to replace Kyle Davies in the rotation.

Posted on Wed, Jun. 24, 2009 11:27 PM

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Royals notebook: Crisp says surgery ‘went well’ but club cautious about length of rehab

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

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“I had my surgery today and all went well,” Crisp said through a Twitter message. “I would like to thank all the fans that stood by me through my rough times that I had this season.”

The Royals are taking a cautious approach in projecting a timetable for his return to active duty.

“It depends on how the rehab process goes,” Hillman cautioned. “There’s a certain point in the rehab process where they determine how fast it’s going to go. I’ve heard six to nine (months), and I’ve heard nine to 12 (months) depending on the severity in terms of the healing of the body.”

Anything beyond nine months would put Crisp in jeopardy of not being ready for the start of next season.

Buck heads out

Catcher John Buck took early batting practice before leaving the squad to catch a flight to Memphis, Tenn., where he’ll join Class AAA Omaha on a rehab playing assignment.

Buck is recovering from a herniated disk suffered — he still isn’t sure how — in a May 30 game against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

“I caught that whole inning and didn’t feel a thing,” he said.

“I went into the dugout and began clicking the (shin guards) off and felt a little something when I got to the bottom strap in my lower back.

“I got up, twisted my body to test it, and it was all right. I put my helmet on, grabbed my bat, ran up the stairs and bent over to pick up the donut and wham. That’s when it happened.”

Buck will be limited initially in his catching duties at Omaha — probably no more than three innings in his first game — and serve occasionally as a designated hitter.

“But I feel good,” he said. “I’ve felt good for a while. I don’t feel it when I kneel or catch or block balls. Now, it’s just a matter of doing my exercises to prevent it from flaming up again.”

More signings

The Arkansas double-play combination of shortstop Scott Lyons (15th round) and second baseman Benjamin Tschepikow (17th) are among the four latest signings by the Royals from their recent draft class.

The Royals also signed lefty Jonathon Keck, a 42nd-round pick from Bethel College in Tennessee, and outfielder Anthony Howard, a 47th-round pick from Quince Orchard High School in Maryland.

The club now had 22 of its 49 selections under contract but none of its top four picks.

Minor details

The Royals released catcher Matt Tupman from their Class AAA Omaha roster after promoting John Suomi from Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Tupman, 29, was batting .261 with no homers and seven RBIs in 21 games after spending the winter recovering from shoulder surgery. He was in his eighth year with the Royals after being selected in the ninth round of the 2002 draft.

Suomi, 28, was picked last December by the Royals from the Phillies in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Etc.

•Luke Hochevar batted ninth for the Royals — one day after Zack Greinke batted eighth.

•There’s no decision yet on a starting pitcher for Saturday in Pittsburgh. Sidney Ponson and Bruce Chen remain the likeliest candidates to replace Kyle Davies in the rotation.

Posted on Wed, Jun. 24, 2009 11:27 PM

Buzz Up

Comment (0)

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