With the start of the regular season just two weeks away, the Royals are closer to having their pitching staff set. The club sent reliever D.J Carrasco to Class AAA Ohama on Sunday. The Royals also informed Kevin Appier that unless one of the younger pitchers falters, he likely won’t be a member of the starting rotation. Appier threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the White Sox on Saturday. But he struggled before that outing, giving up eight runs in his previous 5 2/3 innings.