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Manager Trey Hillman plans to let the two veterans dictate their own readiness as his club works through the early portion of its Cactus League schedule.
“Grud and Guillen probably won’t play until the eighth or the ninth (of March),” Hillman said. “They’re veteran guys, and their bodies know how to get ready. I want them fresh for the start of the season.”
Grudzielanek welcomed the idea.
“I love it,” he said. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. We talked and came up with a plan to make sure I get myself right and feel strong.”
Grudzielanek, 37, believes a rushed approach last spring contributed to his first of two knee injuries.
“The last two years,” he said, “they made it a big thing to play the first (spring) game. What’s the big deal about that? So I was out there last year on the first day, when I wasn’t close to being ready.”
Similarly, Hillman sees no reason to push Guillen.
“He’s one of the first players here every morning,” Hillman said.
“He’s getting his work in. Both of those guys have multiple years of experience at the major-league level. I’ve spoken to both of them individually about what they believe they need.”
The lineup for today’s spring opener against the Texas Rangers was posted in the Royals’ clubhouse when players arrived for Tuesday’s workouts.
“When I can,” Hillman said, “I like to give these guys a day-in-advance heads’ up. It’s something I wanted to get posted sooner (rather) than later so that guys know what to expect for tomorrow’s game.”
The lineup has Billy Butler playing first base and Alex Gordon batting fifth, not seventh, for the 2:05 p.m. Central time game at Surprise Stadium.
Butler gets the nod over Ryan Shealy and Ross Gload. Butler’s ability to play first base is one of the key questions facing the Royals as they work through spring training. Shealy will be the DH in the opener.
“We need to find out some things,” Hillman agreed. “I’d love to win these ballgames from a standpoint of getting that winning feeling going into the season. But ultimately, the primary objective is answering questions and getting guys ready to play the season.”
Hillman has often cited Gordon as a potential No. 7 hitter but chose to keep him at No. 5 even when the Rangers switched starters to lefty A.J. Murray after scratching right-hander Brandon McCarthy because of a sore elbow.
Gordon could still spend a lot of time batting seventh in the 30 spring games that precede the Royals’ season opener March 31 in Detroit.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Hillman said. “That’s certainly still possible.”
The lineup: CF David DeJesus, 2B Esteban German, LF Mark Teahen, DH Shealy, 3B Gordon, 1B Butler, RF Shane Costa, C John Buck and SS Tony Peña.
Hillman’s lineup card also listed likely substitutes for today’s game: Mitch Maier for DeJesus, Alberto Callaspo for German, Justin Huber for Teahen, Jason Smith for Gordon, Mike Stodolka for Butler, Damon Hollins for Costa, Miguel Olivo for Buck, and Angel Berroa for Peña.
“It’s a lot more fun to be playing the games,” Hillman said. “That’s what these guys are programmed to do — compete. It gets more fun as they have the opportunity to compete and fight for jobs.”
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