Mitch

Maier

A nice game, but Maier, a 2003 first-round pick, hasn’t showed much in the way of potential since moving up to Double-A last June. He’s hitting .274/.338/.430 with eight steals in 14 attempts. The Royals have to be wondering whether he’ll even turn into a useful bench player.

He’s just one base hit short. The Royals have already shut down fellow veterans Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur in order to play Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson, and Cabrera will clear the way for Mitch Maier. Cabrera is batting .306/.340/.472 with 18 homers and 20 steals in what has been one of the more surprising seasons in baseball this year.

“He had another strain,” said Royals general manager Dayton Moore. “We’re still waiting on the final diagnosis. It’s around the same area, but I’m not sure it’s the same thing.” Cain was originally expected to return from the disabled list Friday, but his timetable will be pushed back at least a few more days. Jason Bourgeois and Mitch Maier will continue to share playing time in center field while he’s sidelined.

The new injury is currently being characterized as a strained left hip flexor, but we should know more after he is examined Thursday in Kansas City. The Royals originally hoped to have Cain back on Friday, but we’ll likely have to wait a couple more weeks. Jason Bourgeois and Mitch Maier will continue to benefit in the short-term.

He also drew a walk. Maier should see plenty of playing time in center field while Lorenzo Cain is on the shelf, but his appeal even in AL-only leagues is minimal.

Maier batted just .232/.345/.337 with zero home runs and seven RBI in 113 plate appearances last year for the Royals. He’ll be a backup outfielder again in 2012.

Maier was shown the door after hitting just .172 (11-for-64) in 32 games. Jarrod Dyson and Jason Bourgeois will continue to share playing time in center field until Lorenzo Cain (hip) comes off the disabled list.

Maier was designated for assignment last week and went through waivers unclaimed. He’ll continue to serve as outfield depth in the minors, and should be back at some point later this year.

He signed with the club in late October. Maier batted .172 (11-for-64) in 32 games with the Royals this season and owns a lousy .248/.327/.344 batting line in the big leagues. He is unlikely to win a roster spot during spring training.

Maier wasn’t placed on the offseason 40-man roster, and requested free agency. In addition to Maier, Roman Colon was granted his release after finishing the year with the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate.