Back to web version
Nomo forcing his way into Royals’ crowded field of rotation candidates
By BOB DUTTONThe Kansas City Star
An already crowded field keeps growing instead of thinning.
Veteran right-hander Hideo Nomo continued to validate his comeback Monday with two strong innings after a shaky start in a 15-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Surprise Stadium.
Nomo gave up two runs and four hits overall in three innings after not allowing an earned run over five innings in two previous relief appearances. That puts him in the mix, apparently.
“I’m comfortable with the way he’s progressed,” manager Trey Hillman said. “He’s much better than when he first got here. I think that’s a combination of being in a little better shape, and we’re seeing a little velocity come back.
“Hopefully, he can keep progressing and keep this interesting. We’ll just have to see how the next couple of weeks play out.”
So here are the Royals, almost a month since pitchers and catchers reported, now sifting though nine candidates for two possible openings.
“In a perfect world,” Hillman said, “I would love to have it settled by a week from now. Then you set things up and everything smoothes out. But I think we’re going to have to push it back further than I would like.”
The first three spots were set before camp opened: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke. Club officials also made it clear they viewed veteran free-agent signee Brett Tomko as a preferred choice at No. 4.
But Tomko muddied the situation Sunday by yielding six runs and nine hits in just 2 1/3 innings in a 13-1 loss to the Cubs.
“Even though (Sunday) was not good,” Hillman said, “I think we’re all in agreement: We like the stuff. I like the fact he’s pitched at the major-league level for a long time…We can’t wait much longer.”
Another bad start could shift Tomko to the bullpen and create two wide-open battles among eight candidates. If so, the Royals aren’t likely to decide on their rotation until the camp’s final week.
“We don’t have any clear-cut guys who are jumping out there and saying, ‘Hey, man, this is mine, and I’m not letting it go,’” Hillman said.
Nomo had just such an opportunity Monday by drawing a start when the Royals shipped Meche to minor-league camp for a punch-the-clock session to get his work in.
“I felt good today,” Nomo said, “but I was getting the ball up in the first inning, and they hit it. My split(-finger fastball) just didn’t go where I wanted it to go.”
Nomo gave up two runs and three hits in the first inning before working around a hit batsman in the second and a one-out double in the third. Conclusion: Not dominant but not bad.
“He had a little more velocity on some pitches with the fastball,” Hillman said. “That’s encouraging. He’s getting a little more out of the velocity each time.”
Hillman identified Luke Hochevar and John Bale as the top camp performers to date but declined to identify them as front-runners. The issue with Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, isn’t stuff but whether he can show sufficient consistency in his delivery.
Even Hochevar sees that.
“It’s been an issue that I’ve dealt with for a while,” he said. “I pitch on the verge of a fight — with a lot of intensity. Sometimes, I’m burning down the house with it. Then I come out of my delivery, and I become a thrower instead of a pitcher.
“My intensity kind of overtakes me, but I’m getting better at recognizing it. All I have to do is recognize it. Because once I do, I know what to do (to correct it).”
Hochevar gets his big chance Wednesday when he starts against the Angels in Tempe, Ariz. He has yet to allow a run through 6 2/3 innings, including a 2 2/3 -inning start in a “B” game against Texas.
“He’s the guy who’s been the most consistent for me up to this point,” Hillman said.
Bale hasn’t been a starter since 2004 in Japan and must still show the stamina to maintain his form when stretched out. He is scheduled to work five innings Thursday against the Rangers in “B” game.
The Royals moved Bale to the “B” game to clear innings for Jorge De La Rosa, who faces a crucial start Thursday against the Angels after getting roughed up in two relief appearances for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Kyle Davies’ bid for the rotation could hinge on an extended relief appearance Wednesday, when he is scheduled to work at least four innings after replacing Hochevar.
Veteran Brian Lawrence put himself back in the mix Sunday by working three shutout innings in a “B” game against the Rangers. Veteran lefty Mike Maroth made his spring debut in that game after being slowed earlier in camp by shoulder tightness. Right-hander Leo Nuñez is also still in consideration.
“Still two spots open,” Hillman said, “and we’ll just have to keep playing it out.”