The Royals starting rotation is now set. Manager Tony Pena announced on Monday that 24-year old right hander Danny Bautista will be the fifth starting pitcher in the rotation, when they open up the regular season next week in Detroit. He will join Jose Lima, Runelvys Hernandez, Zack Greinke and Brian Anderson.
Bautista got his first win this spring as the Royals topped the Padres 4-2. He lasted six innings, allowing one run off three hits and three walks. He has a 3.66 ERA this spring, with 18 strikeouts and 10 walks. Mike Wood, who was acquired in the Carlos Beltran trade, will now move to the bullpen and Jimmy Gobble will be sent down to Class-AAA to start the season. Bautista will occupy the fourth spot initially, as Anderson is still nursing a sore groin and will take the fifth spot during the first run of the rotation.
Mike Sweeney went deep for the fourth time this spring, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning. The Royals added two more in the second to take an early 4-0 lead.
