Dee

Brown

Brown will likely return to the big leagues when rosters expand in September.

The soreness is a result of being hit by a pitch in Thursday’s game. ''I can hit, but I can’t throw,’' Brown said. ''I should be ready to play in the field by Sunday.’' Brown could DH, but Ken Harvey is off to a nice start in that role.

Hopefully you saw this coming with the return of Beltran and dropped or reserved Brown.

Brown is rehabbing at the team’s facility in Arizona. There is no date set for his return.

It’s showing, as Brown went 1-for-12 in last weekend’s series with the Blue Jays. Prior to that, he was on a 7-game hit streak in which he hit .393. Brown has played well enough to keep himself in the majors and could work himself into a regular role, particularly if Carlos Beltran is traded at the deadline.

Brown is hitting .273 with two homers in 11 games for Omaha. He should be activated soon, but he probably won’t have a big role after returning.

The Royals likely will leave Brown in the minors through the All-Star break.

Brown will take away some playing time from Aaron Guiel, but he doesn’t have any fantasy value right now.

Brown had been limited by a bruised elbow.

With Aaron Guiel up, Brown shouldn’t get as much playing time as he did before going down with a strained rib-cage muscle last month. He probably won’t have any fantasy value.