Jeremy

Affeldt

Affeldt remains in the rotation, but the All-Star break allows the Royals the luxury of using him as the lefty reliever -- a hole they are trying to fill.

The Royals only registered five saves in the 47 games Affeldt missed with a rib cage injury.

He was struck by a batted ball in a pre-game work out Sunday. Consider Affeldt day-to-day.

Affeldt has dealt with blister problems before. He’ll do exercises to keep up his arm strength this week, and will begin soft tossing later in the week. Pitching coach John Cumberland said that when Affeldt returns, he’ll attempt to re-work the lefty’s grip on his four-seam fastball in an effort to take pressure off the blistered area.

Affeldt thinks he’ll be able to return to the Kansas City rotation on May 6.

The Royals, however, are debating whether to use Affeldt today on a limited basis instead of having him throw in the bullpen.

D.J. Carrasco is expected to replace Affeldt on Saturday, but the left-hander could rejoin the Kansas City rotation by the middle of next week.

''I believe every time that it’s the last time I’ll have it,’' Affeldt said. ''But I believe it’s healed.’'

Manager Tony Pena wants to see one more bullpen session on Saturday before making the final call on Affeldt starting Tuesday.

Affeldt looked sharp in a 45-pitch bullpen workout before Saturday’s game against the Orioles. He went on the disabled list after a blister on his middle finger forced him to leave an April 19 game against Detroit after just three innings.