Mitch Maier got the start in center field for the Royals on Sunday with Lorenzo Cain on the DL, but he finished the game on the mound, throwing a scoreless ninth inning in a 13-7 loss to the Indians.
It was Maier’s second career relief appearance and both have resulted in scoreless innings. Maier, who was drafted in the first round as a catcher before moving to the outfield, topped out at 78 mph on the gun. He gave up a one-out single to Michael Brantley, but Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a double-play ball to end the inning.
No word yet on Maier feels about pitching, but he’s probably just happy getting into games. Last year, he spent the entire season on the Kansas City roster, yet he got just 95 at-bats as the team’s fourth outfielder. His start in center today was his second of this season.