SURPRISE, Ariz. | Royals manager Trey Hillman is thinking outside the box again as he ponders possible lineups, and those thoughts are sure to raise eyebrows. Again.</p><p> Hillman views Mark Teahen as the most likely No. 3 hitter but admits to giving serious thought to using Ross Gload in that role.</p><p> “I want backup options,” Hillman said, “and I like Ross Gload, although he doesn’t have a lot of experience (in that role). I like his swing.”</p><p> Let’s be clear up front: This is only a possibility. An idea. That bears repeating after the considerable static Hillman endured at raising the possibility of having third baseman Alex Gordon bat seventh.</p><p> “It’s nice to make an impression,” Gload said. “Hey, I just want to bat (somewhere).”</p><p> Gload has some experience in the three hole. He spent 17 games there last year, including 16 starts, although he only batted .226 when doing so. He batted .302 when placed elsewhere in the lineup. </p><p> Hillman prefers to trust his eyes.</p><p> “Now that I’ve seen his swing for a couple of days,” he said, “just throw the stats out. I’ve seen his swing. It’s short. It’s compact. He doesn’t have the pop of an Alex Gordon, nor the pop of a (Jose) Guillen, nor the pop of a (Mark) Teahen.</p><p> “But I like the swing, and I like the slug that comes with it -- the doubles. I’m not announcing him as our No. 3 hitter. But it’s in the mix.”</p><p> As for Gordon, there appears to be a good chance that he will, indeed, bat seventh on at least some occasions.</p><p><strong>Olivo in left</strong> Catcher Miguel Olivo seems open to attempting one of Hillman’s earlier non-traditional ideas: Playing left field.</p><p> “If I can help the team that way,” Olivo said, “I’ll do it. He wants my bat (in the lineup).”</p><p> Olivo has never played the outfield. In fact, except for nine innings at first base in 2006 for Florida, he has never played anywhere but catcher in 556 career big-league games.</p><p> Hillman believes Olivo has sufficient speed to play the outfield on a limited basis and sees it as a way to add an extra right-handed bat to the lineup.</p><p> “It doesn’t mean we’re going to put him out there,” Hillman cautioned, “but we’re going to go through the process. That process will be individual work. Then we’ll go to fungo, where it’s more of a game situation.</p><p> “Then we’ll do it in intrasquad before we do it in a game. If we have the option of doing it in an intrasquad game, we’ll do it as game-like as possible.” <strong>At last, Callaspo</strong> Infielder Alberto Callaspo made his much-delayed arrival in time for Friday’s workout. He checked in Thursday night from Venezuela after finally obtaining his visa Wednesday from the U.S. Consulate in Caracas.</p><p> The Royals obtained Callaspo from Arizona in a Dec. 14 trade for right-hander Billy Buckner. Callaspo, 24, batted just .215 last season for the Diamondbacks but has a .317 average in six minor-league seasons.</p><p> Callaspo projects as a near-lock to make the club since he is out of options.