Kansas City Royals Announce 25-Man 2008 MLB Opening Day Roster

KANSAS CITY, MO, March 29, 2008 -- The Kansas City Royals today announced their Opening Day roster for the 2008 season following their exhibition game in Milwaukee. The club has optioned pitchers Neal Musser and Joel Peralta, infielder Ryan Shealy and outfielder Mitch Maier to their AAA affiliate in Omaha.

The Royals have assigned pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Brad Salmon and Hideo Nomo, and infielders Angel Berroa and Jason Smith to Omaha, all of whom were non-roster invitees to spring training. Nomo will report to Kansas City's minor league facility in Surprise, Ariz., to begin injury rehabilitation on a right groin strain.

To get the roster to 25 by the 3:00 p.m. (EDT) deadline on Sunday, the Royals are expected to place righthanded pitcher Luke Hudson on the 15-day disabled list as he continues to rehab from right shoulder surgery last summer.

The 2008 Opening Day roster:

PITCHERS (11) - John Bale (L), Brian Bannister, Jimmy Gobble (L), Zack Greinke, Ron Mahay (L), Gil Meche, Leo Nunez, Ramon Ramirez, Joakim Soria, Brett Tomko and Yasuhiko Yabuta.

CATCHERS (3) - John Buck, Miguel Olivo and Matt Tupman.

INFIELDERS (7) - Billy Butler, Alberto Callaspo, Esteban German, Ross Gload, Alex Gordon, Mark Grudzielanek and Tony Pena, Jr.

OUTFIELDERS (4) - David DeJesus, Joey Gathright, Jose Guillen and Mark Teahen.

The Kansas City Royals will start the season on Monday with 24 active players after catcher Miguel Olivo officially begins to serve a 4-game suspension from the Commissioner's Office carried over from last season while with the Florida Marlins.

Source: MLB

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