Major League Baseball

Royals 3B Callaspo could miss season opener

Published Mar. 29, 2010 11:51 p.m. ET

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Alberto Callaspo may not be ready for the Kansas City Royals season opener April 5 with Detroit because of an irritation in his right side.

Callaspo has been held out of all baseball activities since the injury, which occurred Friday while taking batting practice.

Callaspo hit .300 last season with 41 doubles and 11 home runs. He was slated to bat third and play third base.

Outfielder Rick Ankiel, who had not played since March 11 because of a sore right ankle, returned to the lineup Monday as the designated hitter and contributed a run-producing double in the sixth. The Royals have only five exhibition games left.

``I would have to give the edge to Ankiel being more ready (for opening day) than Callaspo, but I'm not counting Callaspo out,'' Hillman said. ``It wasn't really listed as a strain. He doesn't feel it all throwing and swinging right-handed. We're just treating it all day, just trying to get it as far as we can with treatment.''

Second baseman Chris Getz was scratched Monday with an illness and was replaced by Irving Falu.

Hillman said right-hander Gil Meche felt fine the day after throwing 63 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday. Meche has not pitched since March 22 when he left a start against the Chicago White Sox after three innings with stiffness in his shoulder and neck.