Player Updates

Mark Grudzielanek

We may have seen the last of Mark Grudzielanek in Royal blue. He announced yesterday that he has a torn deltoid ligament on the left side of his right ankle. It won't require surgery, but it takes four to six weeks to heal. If it takes closer to six, he probably won't return this year.

Grud is a free agent after this season and the Royals haven't approached him about a contract for next season. I know he's 38 and only has a year or two left, but statistically speaking, he isn't showing any signs of decline at this point (his .345 OBP is better this year than his career average of .332), so I wouldn't mind seeing the Royals re-sign him to one more contract.

Esteban German is our utility guy right now, and it looks like that is his destiny here in KC. Alberto Callaspo can hardly be counted as the heir apparent at second base given his arrest in June for suspicion of driving under the influence (not his first run in with the law) and subsequent vanishing act after being placed on the DL. Mike Aviles could certainly handle the position, but that would mean we'd need to acquire a different shortstop to replace him because Tony Pena isn't the long term answer.

So, re-signing Grud makes sense.

John Bale

Remember John Bale--the guy who broke his hand back on May 2 when he punched a door? It looks like his season may be over. He's been pitching in Omaha with the hopes of returning to Kansas City, but he's 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA in Triple-A. And, according to Hillman, Bale's fastball is topping out at 87 mph. Now, David Boyce is reporting that Bale has "suffered another setback with his left shoulder to the point that it's starting to look doubtful he will pitch for Kansas City again this season."

Yasuhiko Yabuta

Yabuta cleared waivers and has been assigned to Omaha. Was there ever a doubt that he would clear waivers?