Royals C Jason Kendall says divorce won’t affect his play with Kansas City

Royals’ C Kendall back with team

SURPISE, Ariz. — Royals catcher Jason Kendall has returned to spring training and says his divorce and child custody case won’t be a distraction.

Kendall missed the exhibition game Monday against Cincinnati to be in court in Los Angeles. He returned on Tuesday and told reporters he will not “dignify the ridiculous accusations” being carried by various media outlets about his divorce.

He says he wants his personal life to remain private. Kendall, a three-time All Star, brushed off any thought the divorce would affect his play, saying “Not at all.”

Kendall signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Royals in December. The 14-year veteran played the last two seasons in Milwaukee.