Tagged: John Parrish

Royals, Parrish hoping hell be back soon

Left-hander John Parrish hopes he’ll be out for only the minimum 15 days on the disabled list with his rotator cuff problem. He was one of the Royals’ most dependable relievers early this season so manager Trey Hillman hopes that’s the case.

“I’m thankful that it’s only inflammation and we are sure that it’s only inflammation so that’s a big plus,” Hillman said. “Because whether you think you’ve overused a guy or not overused a guy, you still feel responsible and it costs him opportunities to go out there and do what he needs to do.”

News item: Luke Hughes, an Australian, is the first Twins player to whack a home run in his first at-bat since 1984. Question: Who was the last previous guy to do it? Answer: Andre David, former Royals hitting coach who is now the hitting coach for their Surprise Rookie team. David also hit his at Detroit – in old Tiger Stadium, of course – and it was the only homer in Andre’s two-year Major League career. . . . Outfielder Buck Coats is leading the Omaha Royals with a .314 average. . . . Derrick Robinson, with a stolen base on Wednesday night, made it steals in six straight games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.  He had 10 bags in that span and was leading the Texas League with 15. The center fielder also had a .329 average. . . . First baseman Eric Hosmer’s streak of reaching base for Single-A Wilmington was snapped at 19 games. But his sac fly drove in the only run of a 2-1 loss at Salem. . . . Single-A Burlington catcher Wil Myers has hit .314 (11-for-35) with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last nine games after starting the season 8-for-43, .186.

–Dick Kaegel

Butler is on a 13-for-22 Cactus League tear

Billy Butler continued his hot hitting in Friday’s 8-4 win over the Dodgers. He went 3-for-3 which gave him 13 hits in his last 22 at-bats and raised his Cactus League average to .429 (21-for-49).

The Royals put the Dodgers at a disadvantage by using the American League DH while Dem Bums played it National League straight by letting the pitcher bat. But it was OK’d by LA manager Joe Torre, an agreeable sort.

“We had to get it cleared. Thankfully we were playing a team that didn’t mind. They’ve got to agree to it,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said.

And, with Butler’s three singles and Kila Ka’aihue’s home run and single, the Royals’ DH slot was 5-for-5 with three runs scored and three driven in. Thank you, Joe.

By the way, Ka’aihue leads the club with three homers and is hitting .342 but still is regarded as having little chance to make the club. But who knows?

Hillman was pleased by the two left-handers who succeeded Zack Greinke to the mound. Dusty Hughes gave up a run-scoring single immediately after replacing Greinke in the sixth but then worked two scoreless innings.

“Up to today it’s been a little bit of a very inconsistent and rough spring for him from what we wanted to see,” Hillman said.

John Parrish, who missed last season after shoulder surgery, worked a perfect ninth with one strikeout.

“Very good, very in command, best I’ve seen pitch-to-pitch from him,” Hillman said.

–Dick Kaegel