Royals notebook: Mahay waits out trade deadline
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
OAKLAND, Calif. | Veteran reliever Ron Mahay seems to go through this every year as the trading deadline approaches. Once again, he finds his name swirling through the rumor mill.
Will the phone ring or not before the 3 p.m. deadline for non-waiver deals?
“It’s just speculation until it actually happens,” Mahay said. “It’s all talk right now. They have my phone number. I’m going to spend the day with my family and honestly hope it doesn’t ring. I don’t want to go anywhere.”
The Phillies continue to show interest in Mahay, although both clubs have spiked rumors of a deal for minor-league infielder Jason Donald.
Another rumor links Mahay to the Red Sox for outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss.
“As far as I know,” manager Trey Hillman said, “there’s not anybody willing to pay what should be paid for him. He’s a valuable asset and, obviously, he’s not someone I want us to lose.”
Mahay lowered his ERA to 1.75 by working one scoreless inning in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over the A’s in 10 innings.
Grudzielanek waits, too
The Twins are suddenly in the market for a second baseman after learning Alexi Casilla might miss the rest of the season because of a torn tendon in his right thumb.
That could be the opening the Royals need to generate an acceptable return for veteran Mark Grudzielanek, who will become a free agent at the end of the season. Grudzielanek, 38, is batting .300 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 85 games.
The Dodgers have also shown some interest in Grudzielanek.
The Twins’ current plan is to use utilityman Nick Punto as Casilla’s replacement, but they are shopping pitcher Boof Bonser and outfielder Craig Monroe in efforts to find an alternative.
Minnesota appears to prefer Baltimore’s Brian Roberts, whom the Orioles are reluctant to trade, and have asked about San Francisco’s Rich Aurilia.
Oddly, the Twins are the only team the Royals have never made a trade with.
The Rangers have asked about pitcher Zack Greinke and appear willing to part with multiple prospects in return.
On speaking terms
Scene from the Royals’ clubhouse Wednesday morning when outfielder José Guillen passed Hillman:
Hillman: “We’re talking again today, aren’t we?”
Guillen (chuckling): “Yeah, as far as I know.”
ESPNdeportes reported Tuesday the two weren’t on speaking terms, and that Guillen wanted out of Kansas City. Guillen and Hillman each repudiated the report.
Light day for DeJesus
Who knew that sore lower backs were contagious?
Outfielder David DeJesus is the latest Royal to experience the problem and didn’t start the series finale in an effort to keep the problem from worsening.
“I don’t think it’s serious,” Hillman said. “I think it’s just muscle tightness. This is the sensible thing to do. There is more recovery time with the day off (today). Hopefully, we’ll get a refreshed guy back (on Friday).”
DeJesus entered the game as a defensive replacement in the Oakland 10th inning but was not involved in any plays.
Rare sweep in Oakland
The Royals recorded their first sweep in Oakland since June 14-16, 1988, when their starting pitchers were Bret Saberhagen, Charlie Leibrandt and Mark Gubicza.
It was also their first sweep since June 23-25 against Colorado at Kauffman Stadium. It was their first sweep against an American League opponent since May 13-15 against Detroit.
Etc.
•Submariner Brad Ziegler of Odessa, Mo., High pitched three scoreless innings. That moved Ziegler’s scoreless streak to 30 innings, which extended his major league record for any pitcher at the start of his career.
•Mike Aviles was eight for 14 in the three-game series.
•The Royals have won five consecutive road games and are now 26-30 away from home. They finished last season 34-47 away from Kauffman Stadium.
•The Royals’ 50-59 record is two games better than last year’s mark through 109 games.
•The Royals are 7-6 since the All-Star break; the A’s are 2-10.
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