Joe Mays was expected to be a veteran anchor for the Royals starting rotation, but in six starts he was 0-4 with a 10.27 ERA this season. The team is expected to cut or trade Mays today. He was designated for assignment last week. After pitching six seasons with the Twins, Mays signed a one-year deal worth $1-million with Kansas City this off-season. In 2001, he went 17-13 with Minnesota and earned a spot on the American League All-Star team. But Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the 2004 season.
It is safe to say that Chris Booker’s time with the Royals hasn’t gone as well as he, or the Royals, would have hoped. The 29-year old reliever went on the 15-day disabled list on Monday with a strained groin. The injury happened sometime on Saturday, as Booker was making a less-than-impressive debut with the team. Booker allowed three homers and six runs in an inning of work.
He was claimed off waivers from the Phillies last Wednesday, after he completed a rehab assignment in the minors. After battling inflammation in his left knee, Booker appeared in six games with Scranton/Wiles-Barre, the Phillies Class AAA team, and had a 1.29 ERA.
The Royals have recalled 31-year old reliever Joe Nelson to take Booker’s spot on the roster. So far this season, Nelson has compiled a 1-1 record with two saves and a 2.20 ERA in Omaha.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be in St. Louis today to support teammate Larry Hughes and attend his brother’s funeral. Justin Hughes, 20, died after a lifelong bout with heart troubles last week.
