Royals manager Hillman back on familiar turf
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
ARLINGTON, Texas | It’s a busy few days for Royals manager Trey Hillman. He grew up nearby, turned himself into a pro prospect at Texas-Arlington and once worked as an attendant in the visiting clubhouse at old Arlington Stadium.
So yes, lots of friends and family are on hand for this three-game series against the Rangers.
“It’s nice and it’s busy,” he said. “It’s a nice busy, so to speak. I’ve still got a job to do, and I put the word out.
“I’ve got a couple of suites (reserved) for the game (Tuesday), but I took care of that back in December because I really wanted to be able to concentrate on working as much as I can while I’m here.”
Hillman flew home Sunday night to Austin, Texas, which is a three-hour ride from Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.
“It’s good to be back,” Hillman said, “but it’s probably good that we’re only here for one series this year.”
Grudzielanek is back
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek went four for six with three doubles in his return to the lineup after missing the last five games because of an irritated disk in his lower back.
“It’s good enough,” he said. “What are you going to do?”
How about scoring three times and raising his average to .319? It was his 29th game with four or more hits. Grudzielanek also made two sparkling plays in the field before committing an error on a routine grounder in the ninth.
Bale improving
John Bale got high marks from Hillman after testing his ailing left shoulder in a pre-game bullpen session — but no guarantee of rejoining the rotation once he returns to active duty.
“It’s getting out of his hand well,” Hillman said. “He’s pain-free and, hopefully, we’re on the right track. I don’t know if we’re going to be within the time frame of the next couple of days. But at least he’s on the right track to get back.”
Bale is eligible to return Thursday from the disabled list. He was 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA in three starts before his injury but could shift to the bullpen upon his return.
“I couldn’t even project that,” Hillman said, “until I see exactly where we’re at when he’s ready to come back. That’s when we’ll make that determination.”
Crow watching
The Royals took full advantage of the Border War clash Tuesday between Missouri and Kansas at Kauffman Stadium to have a couple of scouts get a long look at Tigers right-hander Aaron Crow in a bullpen workout.
Crow is ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the upcoming amateur draft. The Royals have the No. 3 pick behind Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh.
Crow is 9-0 with a 2.80 ERA in 10 starts and has 84 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings. He is generally viewed as having the best fastball among top draft prospects.
No more Nomo
Right-hander Hideo Nomo, 39, became a free agent Tuesday when he was formally released by the Royals after clearing waivers.
The Royals had requested release waivers last Friday on Nomo, who was designated April 20 for assignment after he allowed nine runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in three relief appearances.
If this is it for Nomo, he closes his career at 123-109 with a 4.24 ERA in 323 games over 12 seasons with seven major-league clubs.
Minor details
•Right-hander Daniel Cortes, one of the organization’s top prospects, is sidelined by a strained left quadriceps muscle. He is 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 13 1/3 innings in three starts at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.
Cortes has missed two starts and appears likely to miss at least one more.
•Shortstop Mike Moustakas hit his first professional homer Monday in Class A Burlington’s 5-3 loss to Cedar Rapids. He was the Royals’ first-round pick in last year’s draft.
•Burlington third baseman Jason Taylor was selected as the offensive player of the week in the Midwest League after going eight for 17 with three homers and five RBIs in six games.
De La Rosa wanted
The Rockies are pushing to obtain left-hander Jorge De La Rosa from the Royals to complete the March 26 trade for reliever Ramon Ramirez. Colorado needs a starter for Saturday after sending Franklin Morales to Class AAA Colorado Springs.
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