<strong><span class="subhead">Olivo in left?</span></strong></p><p>Ready for some outside-the-box thinking? Manager Trey Hillman raised the possibility Thursday that catcher Miguel Olivo could get time in left field.</p><p>Want to read that again?</p><p>It&#8217;s only a thought at this point, one that Hillman cited as an example of his desire to explore every possibility before the Royals open the season March 31 at Detroit.</p><p>&#8220;You might look out there and see a simulated bunting game without anyone at their primary position,&#8221; Hillman said. &#8220;You might see Miguel Olivo in left field.</p><p>&#8220;It could happen because I like to create options. It gives us flexibility. He can run a little bit &#8230; and Miguel tears up left-handed pitching.&#8221;</p><p>True enough. Olivo has a .291 career average against left-handers and a .220 career average against right-handers.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Extra work</span></strong></p><p>Reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta is already planning to do extra work on his own to compensate for the shorter practices favored by big-league teams.</p><p>Japanese teams typically practice for more than six hours in spring training; big-league teams rarely go longer than 3&#189; hours.</p><p>&#8220;After I go through practice,&#8221; he said, &#8220;I&#8217;m just going to run a little more.&#8221;</p><p>Hillman said he is also open to the idea of Yabuta throwing more pitches on the side after his regular sessions.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Stewart Tower</span></strong></p><p>The Royals renamed their observation tower in honor of Art Stewart, a senior adviser to general manager Dayton Moore. Stewart has been with the organization since its formation in 1968 and was recently selected for induction to the club&#8217;s Hall of Fame.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Extra incentive</span></strong></p><p>Another new element this year at the Royals&#8217; complex is the hanging of two huge banners honoring the club&#8217;s Hall of Fame players.</p><p>A position-player banner spans nearly the entire width of the batting cages. The pitchers banner is on a fence behind the eight practice mounds.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Injury updates</span></strong></p><p>Lefty reliever Neal Musser missed the first official pitchers-and-catchers workout because of back spasms. Hillman said Musser appeared improved from earlier in the week.</p><p>Right-hander Brett Tomko, slowed earlier in the week by a sore back, took part in his regular throwing session.