Royals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang in posi - 棒球

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Royals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang in position for roster spot after latest cuts


BY RUSTIN DODD
[email protected]


SURPRISE, ARIZ.
Five days before opening day, Chien-Ming Wang appears one step closer to a
stunning return to the big leagues.


The Royals on Monday announced the release of left-handed pitcher Brian
Duensing, right-hander Peter Moylan and infielder Clint Barmes. All three
players were signed to minor-league contracts. The latest round of cuts
leaves Wang, a former Yankees ace, as the prohibitive favorite to land the
final spot in the Royals’ bullpen.


Wang, who will turn 36 on Thursday, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since
2013. As of last summer, he was toiling in an independent league. When he
arrived at camp in mid-February, he seemed like a flier amongst a deep pool
of bullpen options. He has overcome slim odds and become a Cactus League
revelation.


He has posted a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings. His sinker has hit 95 mph after
topping out in the high 80s last year. He could earn a spot as a reliever
while offering depth as a spot starter.


For now, Wang’s spot is not assured. The Royals have three off days during
the season’s first week, and club officials have discussed breaking camp
with 11 pitchers. But as camp winds down in Arizona, Wang appears ticketed
for duty in Kansas City at some point.


As of Monday, the composition of the Royals’ bullpen was nearly complete. It
begins with four roster locks — Wade Davis, Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera and
Luke Hochevar — while right-hander Dillon Gee appears poised to win a spot
as a long man. Royals manager Ned Yost said Sunday that he planned to use
left-hander Danny Duffy in middle relief. If the Royals begin the season with
12 pitchers, that leaves one vacant spot.


Before this week, Duensing, 33, remained in position for a look. In his first
year with the Royals he offered a strong impression, posting a 2.61 ERA with
10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings this spring. After seven seasons in
Minnesota, he offered experience and guile from the left side.


On Monday morning, Duensing confirmed that he would exercise an opt-out in
his minor-league deal. The Royals had a short window to add him to the 40-man
roster or release him. Duensing appeared resigned to his fate. As the
clubhouse opened Monday, he handed out hugs to third baseman Mike Moustakas
and catcher Drew Butera. The Royals, in effect, chose Wang over Duensing.


Duensing, a native of Omaha, Neb., could re-sign with the Royals and begin
the season in his hometown if he accepted an assignment to Class AAA.


If Wang makes the opening day roster, the Royals must add him to the 40-man
roster. For now, the club has one open spot after left-hander Tim Collins
sustained a season-ending elbow injury.


Merrifield fighting for roster spot

If the Royals elect to carry 12 pitchers, the battle for the final bench spot
could come down to a two-man competition: Utility man Whit Merrifield or
pinch-running specialist Terrance Gore.


Merrifield finished 3 for 4 with a homer and a double in Monday’s 11-3
victory over the Padres in Surprise. He is batting .395 this spring. He is
also not a member of the 40-man roster, meaning his addition would require a
corresponding roster move.


Gore, meanwhile, is a member of the 40-man roster. Yost said Saturday that
club officials had discussed carrying Gore as a pinch-runner until Jarrod
Dyson returns from an oblique injury.


Outfielder Travis Snider, a non-roster invitee, also remains in camp.


Roster could be set by Friday

Yost said the team’s 25-man roster could be set by Friday, two days before
the club opens the season against the New York Mets at 7:37 p.m. Sunday at
Kauffman Stadium.


The Royals will conclude spring training with a two-game set against the
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Friday and Saturday. Yost confirmed
Monday that most of the Royals’ 25-man roster will fly back to Kansas City
on Saturday morning, skipping the final game in Phoenix. The club will field
a roster filled with minor-leaguers on Saturday. Yost will remain in Arizona
for the game.


One regular who will play Saturday is right-hander Yordano Ventura, who will
start on three days’ rest as he completes his final tuneup before the
regular season. Ventura is slated to start Tuesday night against the Giants
at Surprise Stadium. He will make his regular-season debut in the third game,
facing off against the Minnesota Twins on April 8 at Kauffman Stadium.


翻譯大意:

最後一波下放之後，皇家隊投手王建民留在選手名單裡,

開幕前五天，

王建民看起來離回到大聯盟更進一步了。

皇家隊星期一宣布釋出左投手Brian Duensing,

右投手 Peter Moylan以及內野手Clint Barmes,

這三位選手都是簽小聯盟約。

最後一波下放之後，

洋基隊的前王牌在多數人贊同下得到牛棚的最後一個位子。
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