Kansas City Royals

Scott Elarton’s first exposure to Kauffman Stadium was short and not sweet. He was the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros and he lasted just five pitches.

“I know exactly what that was. I got thrown out on the first batter of the game,” Elarton recalled.

This was on July 8, 2001, and Royals starter Chad Durbin hit two Astros in the first inning.

“It was obvious he wasn’t trying to hit anybody. He was just wild,” Elarton said. Nevertheless, the plate umpire issued a warning to both dugouts.

“I had no idea that any warnings had been issued or anything,” Elarton continued. “Rey Sanchez was the leadoff hitter and it was like a 2-and-2 count and I didn’t mean to hit him but I hit him in the hip. He tossed his bat, went to first base, it was no big deal. And the next thing I knew was the umpire tossed me.”

Elarton was so miffed, he had to be restrained from the argument by Astros manager Larry Dierker.

The episode was indicative of the type of season it was for Elarton, named the Astros’ Opening Day pitcher after winning 17 games in 2000. By year’s end, he was having arm problems and was traded to the Colorado Rockies.

That’s where he became acquainted with Buddy Bell, then the Rockies’ manager, and Bob McClure, a Minor League pitching coach. They came back into Elarton’s career after he signed with the Royals last Friday.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it. That’s one of the reasons I did end up signing, just because I know Buddy. I played for him in Colorado a little bit, then he was the bench coach with us in Cleveland and I just have a lot of respect for him,” Elarton said.

“And then Bob McClure was at Colorado Springs when I was rehabbing and got sent down there a little while. He was just really good and, for me, not knowing the pitching coach would have been really tough because I rely on him a lot and I have a good relationship with him.”

This winter, Bell added McClure to his staff as pitching coach.

Elarton, 11-9 for the Cleveland Indians last season, gave up 32 home runs — tied for fourth highest in the American League — and pitching at the more spacious Kauffman Stadium should reduce that total.

“He is a fly ball pitcher and I think it’s going to help,” Royals general manager Allard Baird said.

The 6-foot-8 Elarton has made just one Kauffman start since the ill-fated appearance for the Astros. This past April 19, he lasted just 3 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits, but ended up with a no-decision.

His 17-7 season in 2000 was his best, but he was happy with his 2005 showing for Cleveland, too.

“I just look at wins and losses. That’s really all that matters. I’m not going to have a Hall of Fame career, so my numbers really aren’t going to matter,” he said.

“I’m a whole different pitcher now than I was in 2000 with Houston. I used to throw harder but I think I’m better, more effective now than I was then because I know how to pitch. I’m not just trying to throw it by people.”

These days, his fastball tops out at about 90 mph. He also throws a curve, changeup and cutter, but considers himself a fastball pitcher.

“On any given day, it’s going to be my curveball or my changeup that’s going to be my No. 2 pitch. It’s kind of whatever is working that day,” he said.

His next appearance at Kauffman Stadium likely will come in the first week of April, when the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox will visit Kansas City.

Elarton is quite sure it’ll last longer than five pitches.

The Royals made their second trade of the week on Wednesday when they sent right-handed relief pitcher Chris Demaria to the Brewers for Minor League right-hander Justin Barnes.

Demaria began 2005 at Class A High Desert, where he went 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA and 19 saves in 48 games, but he reached the Major Leagues by September. After 10 games at Double-A Wichita, he was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in eight games with Kansas City.

A reliever and starter in the Milwaukee system with Class A West Virginia, Barnes was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and one save in 29 games — including three starts. The 23-year-old began his professional career in 2003 as a third baseman before being converted to a pitcher.

In 44 career appearances in the Minors, Barnes is 13-7 with a 4.03 ERA and has 143 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings.

The Royals announced Monday night that they traded outfielder Matt Diaz to the Braves for right-handed pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez.

A 24-year-old reliever, Rodriguez will be in the Minor League camp for Spring Training on the Double-A Wichita roster. He began his professional career in 1999 as an infielder in the Atlanta Braves system before being converted to a full-time pitcher following the 2002 season.

Rodriguez spent the 2005 season with high Class A Myrtle Beach, where he posted a 3-9 record and a 5.34 ERA in 33 games, including nine starts. The Venezuela native is 16-16 with a 4.21 ERA in 98 appearances during his Minor League career.

Diaz, who was designated for assignment last week, split much of last season with the Royals and Triple-A Omaha. In 34 games with Kansas City, he batted .271 with one homer and nine RBIs.