Thursday News, Notes, and Links

AAA - Omaha: Memphis 7, O-Royals 6C House 4-5, 2 2B (11), HR (5), 3 RBI (26), 2 RS -- .283, slump over?1B Ka'aihue 2-3, BB, 2B (19), K, RS -- .273SS Lisson 1-4, HR (6), RBI (10), RS, E (5) -- .204, solo homer has been main weapon at AAALF Thorman 1-5, 2B (7), RBI (28), K -- .295DH Aldridge 1-3, 2B (10), RBI (39) -- .289* RF Tommy Murphy was picked off but also had an OF assist...

In honor of Michael Jackson’s life and recent passing, I thought it would be appropriate to pay his music its due respect, Kansas City Royals style. Michael Jackson was a legend, an icon, a musical genius, and a creative inspiration. I grew up listening to the music of MJ, and while I may not admire [...]

Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years. Major League Baseball will not suspend Ponson. Under the drug rules, he will be treated as a first-time offender and is subject to a medical review and fine. The 32-year-old Ponson pitched well for the Netherlands...

The Kansas City Royals placed right-handed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin injury and recalled lefty Bruce Chen from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

by Matt SnyderFiled under: Royals, AL Central, World Baseball ClassicThursday we passed along the news that Geovany Soto had tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic this past spring. Just one day later, another positive result from the WBC round of testing has been revealed. Sidney Ponson, the embattled 32-year-old righty who pitched for the Netherlands, also...

Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson tested positive for a stimulant at the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years.

If you missed last night's Royals-Astros game that went into extra innings, you missed quite a sequence of unusual events. Allow me to backtrack. Tuesday night's game was a 2-1 win for the visitors, and Kansas City closer Joakim Soria gave up two singles in the bottom of the ninth before striking out two and fielding a grounder. Nailbiter. Against the Astros. After five frames...

P ITTSBURGH | It’s getting so bad for the Royals that at times, and Friday’s 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh was one of them, it’s hard to identify their biggest problem. Was it that Gil Meche suddenly can’t keep the ball in the park? Or that a punchless lineup ensured somebody named Virgil Vasquez will have at least one night to cherish in his big-league career?

How close is Joakim Soria to putting his shoulder problems behind him? That depends on whom you ask, but Soria offered his most encouraging performance in weeks Tuesday in a 2-1 victory over Houston.

HOUSTON | The Royals perhaps tipped their hand Wednesday regarding a starting pitcher for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh by limiting veteran left-hander Bruce Chen to two innings and 23 pitches in Class AAA Omaha's 7-5 loss at Memphis.