Posted on Thu, Apr. 17, 2008

ANAHEIM, Calif. | Royals left-hander John Bale will now get until May 1, at a minimum, to build some strength back in his “dead arm.”

The club placed Bale on the 15-day disabled list before Thursday’s game against the Angels. Reliever Joel Peralta was recalled from Class AAA Omaha to fill the roster vacancy.

The decision to recall Peralta suggests the club will make another move before Sunday to replace Bale in the rotation. The likely choice is Luke Hochevar, who will be able to pitch that day on normal rest.

“We are TBA until the last day of the series,” manager Trey Hillman said. “We’ll see how the bullpen goes, and we’ll make our decision as time progresses as to who will pitch on Sunday in Oakland.”

Bale is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA in his three starts. He pitched better than his numbers suggest in his first two outings, but admitted to problems after allowing five runs and seven hits in three-plus innings Tuesday in an 11-6 loss at Seattle.

The official ailment is listed as left shoulder fatigue. The move is retroactive to Wednesday.

“Because of John’s competitiveness,” Hillman said, “my initial reaction was to let him start on Sunday. I think that’s not the wisest thing. So we decided to put him on the DL.

“As it sits right now, he will pick up a ball Tuesday and try to throw. We’ll see what it feels like, and then we’ll go from there.”

The injury represents a bitter disappointment for Bale, a former reliever who lost 25 pounds in the offseason to gain the stamina required of a starting pitcher. He won a job in the rotation through a series of strong spring performances.

“I was ready to take the ball (on Sunday),” he said, “but Trey made that decision. I’m not happy about it, but I respect his decision. There’s no sense in me going out and really hurting myself and being out a lot longer.

“I’ve just got to get it as strong as I can, take it from there and go.”

Peralta, 32, pitched 10 scoreless innings in four appearances at Omaha before his recall. He was 1-3 with a 3.80 ERA last season for the Royals in 62 games. His return could be brief if the Royals choose to send him back to Omaha in order to add a starter, presumably Hochevar, for Sunday’s game in Oakland.

The club has at least two alternatives.

It can keep Peralta and turn Sunday’s game into a bullpen relay because of an open date Monday in the schedule. Or the Royals could keep Peralta and clear space for a starter by cutting someone else. That would likely put Hideo Nomo at risk. Nomo has allowed six runs and seven hits in four innings.

Hochevar is 1-1 in three starts at Omaha with a 2.60 ERA after allowing five earned runs in 17 1/3 innings. He pitched six shutout innings Tuesday in a 4-1 victory at Nashville.

Reunion on tap

The Royals will see two old friends this weekend during their three-game series in Oakland: Mike Sweeney and Emil Brown.

“Usually it isn’t that big of a deal to face someone you’ve played with,” pitcher Zack Greinke said. “But with those two, it will be a little bit different. Sweeney was always here from before I got here, and Emil was probably my best friend on the team. It will be a little weird.”

Sweeney carried a .275 average into Thursday night’s game against the Mariners. He had just three RBIs in 15 games, but also only one strikeout in 58 plate appearances.

Brown was batting .261 with one homer and nine RBIs in 14 games.

Higher prices

The Team Marketing Report recently confirmed what fans discovered during the Royals’ first home stand: Things are pricier this season at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals registered a 22.5 percent increase this season in the report’s Fan Cost Index, which seeks to price the average cost of attending a game for two adults and two children.

It’s the cost of four tickets, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two adult-size adjustable caps.

The index pegged the price at $151.16 for a trip to Kauffman, which ranks 25th among baseball’s 30 teams. The Red Sox were the most expensive at $320.71. The Rays were the least expensive at $136.91.

Etc.

•The Royals’ nine victories, entering Thursday, are already more than they had through April in any of the four previous years. Their 8-18 mark last year was their best record through April since going 17-7 in 2003.

•The Royals’ three errors, entering Thursday, were the fewest in the AL and matched Houston for the lowest in baseball. The Royals had 10 errors last year in 15 games.