Royals notebook: Team reaches agreement with Wells
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
CLEVELAND | The Royals reached an agreement in principle Monday with veteran free-agent pitcher Kip Wells in a move designed primarily to bolster a beat-up bullpen.
Wells, 31, was designated for assignment last week by the Colorado Rockies after going 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA in 15 appearances. He missed 10 weeks earlier this season because of a blot-clot injury in his right hand.
Barring a last-minute snag, Wells could join the Royals as soon as tonight’s series opener against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. He is 65-93 with a 4.64 ERA in 246 games with five teams in a 10-year career.
Wells is already receiving $3.1 million this season in guaranteed salary from the Rockies. His tentative deal with the Royals is for a prorated share of the major-league minimum or about $90,000.
The Royals find themselves short-handed in the bullpen because of several injuries.
The availability of lefty Ron Mahay remains uncertain after pain returned to his left foot following a brief appearance Saturday against the Yankees. Right-hander Ramon Ramirez is also believed to be battling an unspecified minor injury.
Wells pitched primarily as a starter until this season. As such, he could also serve a possible replacement for any of the club’s struggling starting pitchers.
Olivo to return
Catcher Miguel Olivo returns tonight from his four-game suspension when the Royals open a three-game series in Cleveland. That means the Royals will field a full 25-man roster for the first time since Aug. 9.
“It was terrible,” Olivo said. “You sit in your room, watching the game on television, and you can’t do anything to help.”
The suspension stemmed from Olivo’s role in an Aug. 3 on-field scrum when he charged the mound after being hit by White Sox reliever D.J. Carrasco.
Olivo appealed the original ruling of a five-game ban and a $2,000 fine. A negotiated settlement reduced the fine to $1,000 and trimmed one game off the suspension.
Pitcher Zack Greinke also received a five-game suspension and a $1,500 fine for a retaliatory hit later in the game against Nick Swisher. Greinke served his ban during Aug. 10-15.
Suspended players can take part in pregame workouts but must leave the dugout, clubhouse and other team areas once the game starts.
$6 million man
Some perspective on the club-record $6 million signing bonus given to first baseman Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick in the June draft:
The Royals didn’t pay $6 million for any major-league player until taking on Roberto Hernandez for the 2001 season after acquiring him in a trade from Tampa Bay.
Outfielder José Guillen is making a club-record $12 million this season in the first year of a three-year deal for $36 million. He shook his head after learning of Hosmer’s deal.
“You know how much I got when I signed my first contract?” Guillen asked. “Two thousand dollars.”
Guillen signed with the Pirates in 1992 as an undrafted free agent.
Rehab updates
Infielder Alberto Callaspo went zero for four Sunday in the first game of his rehab assignment at Class AAA Omaha in a 4-1 loss at Oklahoma. Outfielder Joey Gathright, also on rehab assignment, went zero for three.
The Royals put Callaspo on the disabled list June 28 for unspecified medical reasons after he was cited for driving under the influence.
Gathright is recovering from a bone bruise in his right shoulder. He is four for 24 in six games at Omaha.
Looking back
It was 30 years ago today — Aug. 19, 1980 — that George Brett’s club-record 30-game hitting streak ended when he went zero for three with a walk against Rangers right-hander Jon Matlack in a 4-3 victory at Texas.
Brett’s average dropped to .401.
The Royals scored three runs in the ninth after Brett made the inning’s first out in rallying for the victory. Hal McRae, Amos Otis and Willie Aikens drove in runs.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.