John Bale News

INDIANAPOLIS , IN The frosty 2009 edition of Baseball's Winter Meetings closed out with Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, which lacked the Naturals-related drama of last season.

More News The Royals secured unconditional waivers on pitcher John Bale and DH Mike Jacobs Monday, meaning both are officially free agents.

As the winter meetings wound to a close Thursday, the Royals and other teams began gazing toward Saturday and pondering what possibilities might surface after the industrys deadline for tendering contracts.I think theres more anticipation of nontenders than in the past, general manager Dayton Moore said.

By tomorrow at 11:00 PM central time, players who are non-tender candidates must be offered a contract by there team or they become free agents.

With the selection, the Royals' Major League roster stands at 39. Osuna, who recently turned 22 on November 25, is currently 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 15 appearances for his hometown team of Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter League after splitting his 2009 season between Myrtle Beach and Mississippi .

Or to quote Dacron Moore from last year..."It's safe to say that Mike Jacobs' bat will be in the lineup every day." The Royals got the last day of the Winter Meetings off to a fast start, releasing designated hitter Mike Jacobs and lefty relief pitcher John Bale early Thursday morning.

Prior to Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, the Kansas City Royals released first baseman Mike Jacobs and left-handed releiver John Bale to free up two spots on the team's 40-man roster.

Royals second baseman Alberto Callaspo, the subject of offseason trade rumors, was honored Friday afternoon as this years winner of the Joe Burke Special Achievement Award.

Leading scorer John Bale hit a hat-trick as 100 per cent leaders De Veys raced to a 7-0 away victory against Golden Hill Reserves and moved three points clear at the top.

You might think the Royals who are in the midst of a late push to avoid another 100-loss season would be more than a little upset about the prospects of playing their final nine games against Boston, Minnesota and New York, three teams still in the playoff hunt.

Royals outfielder Jose Guillen will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury.

One night Dusty Hughes was riding in a van with his Omaha Royals teammates to their hotel in Round Rock, Texas.

The fantasy draft is in the books....thanks to all who are playing.... AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 6, O-Royals 1 CF Raines 1-3, RBI -- .236 2B Hernandez 1-4, K, CS -- .303 DH Gordon 0-4, 2 K -- .322 RF Aldridge 0-4, 2 K -- .317 1B Ka'aihue 1-4, K, RS -- .255 SS Lisson 1-2, BB -- .243 * LF John Suomi had an OF assist at home.

Royals outfielder Jose Guillen will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury.

The reinforcements, as expected, arrived prior to Saturday's game to bolster the Royals' bruised and battered bullpen.

Brian Fuentes worked the ninth for his 38th save in 43 chances. Kansas City had 11 hits, the Angels three.

Kansas City Royals reliever John Bale has been assisted off the field after injuring his right leg on his first pitch against the Los Angeles Angels.

Becky gains popularity at school after flashing a defiant hand gesture, but it's mom who's called to meet with the principal .

In a game befitting a pair of American League cellar-dwellers playing before a sparse crowd, the A's essentially wound up beating the Kansas City Royals 8-5 Monday night on a comebacker to the mound.

John Bale's fielding gaffe on Adam Kennedy's slow roller back to the mound in the sixth inning proved to be the difference, as two runs scored and the Oakland Athletics edged the Kansas City Royals, 8-5, in the opener of a three-game set.