Kevin

Appier

Appier apparently will attempt a comeback, possibly with Kansas City. Only time will tell whether his elbow will allow him to contribute.

Kansas City won’t be offering arbitration to any of its free agents. Appier appears to be the only member from a group including Joe Randa, Desi Relaford, Kelly Stinnett and Juan Gonzalez that the Royals have any interest in retaining.

Pitching coach Guy Hansen suggested that Appier might be able to contribute as a setup man after watching him throw a simulated game last month. “He threw about 60 pitches and looked really good,” Hansen said. “He had all of his pitches working except he didn’t throw the split-fingered. But he had a very workable velocity, probably about in the mid-80s. And we all know that he can turn that up to 88 or 89 when it matters.” When it matters? In Kansas City? Maybe in 2008.

Minor leaguer Steve Green had been one candidate to be called up, but is on the 7-day DL.

The Royals have received positive reports as Appier rehabs from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. “We’re very encouraged with what we’ve seen, rehabwise,” GM Allard Baird said. “We didn’t think he would be ready to return to the rotation before May 1. But now, we can’t rule out that he might be ready even sooner.”

Appier will probably throw just one inning in the game. He’s likely to spend at least the first two weeks of the season on the disabled list.

Appier, coming back from a torn flexor tendon, threw 49 pitches against the Rangers’ Triple-A club. He’s expected to join the Kansas City rotation in late April.

If everything goes according to plan, Appier will make his first start of the season for Kansas City on Saturday.

Appier expects to miss at least one start due to right elbow tightness. He might go on the disabled list.

And yet Appier calls his elbow ''functional,’' and he’ll start tonight for the Royals. It’s a favorable matchup with the Devil Rays, but between Appier’s 5.63 ERA with Anaheim and this elbow business, steer clear.