The Royals are barely making more than Alex Rodriguez this year.
The salaries for Kansas City’s 27 players on its opening-day roster and disabled lists total $36.1 million, while Rodriguez makes $32 million atop the Yankees’ $201.7 million payroll. He is baseball’s highest-paid player for the 11th consecutive year.
As baseball began its 2011 season Thursday, the average salary for the 844 players on opening-day rosters and disabled lists was about $3.3 million, up just 0.2 percent from last year. The increase was the lowest since a 2.7 percent drop in 2004.
Kansas City’s payroll was cut in half from $72.3 million at the start of 2010. The Royals traded Zack Greinke and Gil Meche retired.
“I’m not worried that it’s too low,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “I look at it as something that gives us tremendous flexibility going forward as an organization to be competitive as we negotiate for players.”
The Yankees, as usual, had the top payroll but dropped to $201.7 million from $206.3 million at the start of last season. The Phillies were second at $173 million, followed by the Red Sox ($161.4 million), Angels ($139 million) and White Sox ($129.3 million).
The Rockies, who open their season today against the Diamondbacks, are 14th at $88 million. Their average salary is $3.38 million.
Hall of Famer Robinson hospitalized
BALTIMORE — Brooks Robinson said he’s on the road to recovery after the Hall of Fame third baseman was hospitalized with a fever and infection.
Robinson was scheduled for an outpatient procedure at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Thursday, but he became ill Wednesday night. Robinson said doctors chose to admit him early “to aggressively treat the infection” and added he is “responding well to antibiotics.”
Robinson, 73, did not provide details of his illness and has asked for privacy in the matter.
Footnotes.
Giants pitcher Barry Zito showed up at Dodger Stadium wearing a neck brace after his car was hit broadside. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Zito was scheduled to have an MRI exam later.
• The Mets placed left fielder Jason Bay (rib cage) and left-hander Johan Santana (shoulder) on the disabled list.
• Rays pitcher Wade Davis agreed to a $12.6 million, four-year contract that could be worth up to $35.1 million.
The Associated Press
