Royals RHP Gil Meche to start rehab assignment Saturday before going to bullpen in Sept.

Meche to start rehab assignment Saturday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals pitcher Gil Meche will begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Omaha.

Meche, in the fourth season of a $55 million contract, is on the 60-day disabled list with a right shoulder injury. He opted not to have season-ending surgery, but to work out of the bullpen instead.

After feeling good Thursday after a two-inning simulated game Wednesday, Meche got the approval to report to Omaha. He is scheduled to throw 20-25 pitches Saturday against Memphis. He will be extended to 35 pitches in his second outing and 40 pitches in his third outing.

If Meche has no setbacks, he will rejoin the Royals Sept. 1, when rosters can be expanded. Manager Ned Yost said he would not use Meche in back-to-back games this season.