Royals notebook: Chen heads to bullpen to accommodate Meche's return to rotation

MINNEAPOLIS | Bruce Chen’s reward for winning his last start — and gaining his first victory in nearly four years — is a ticket to the Royals’ bullpen. He pitched the last 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s 14-6 victory over the Twins. Chen is officially the odd man out in the need to accommodate Gil Meche’s return to the rotation. Meche will pitch Thursday in first big-league start since muscle spasms in his lower back forced his exit from a July 11 start in Boston after 3 2/3 innings.