I've got some great news for my by Billy Butler. Butler has been up with the Royals from Triple-A for a while, but he knows it was only going to be a matter of days until he was sent back down to Omaha. With the return of Mike Sweeney on the horizon, the Royals just don't have enough room for two guys who can't field.But that's all changed for Billy Boy, because Sweeney is about to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Sweeney, hitting .245 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs, has been dogged by injury since signing a $55 million contract five years ago. A vigorous offseason yoga program has kept him free of the back problems that had been plaguing him.As odd as it is to say, given Sweeney's history with the Royals, this is probably the best thing for them. Let's be honest here, Mike Sweeney has never shown an ability to stay healthy, so there's no reason to believe he ever will. Throw in the fact that Sweeney is a free agent after this season, and the Royals don't really plan on bringing him back, and I think it's pretty clear what needs to be done.
He went on the disabled list June 19 with right knee inflammation. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Steven Joyce.
Billy Butler needs to stay in the Majors. It's already clear that he kills minor league pitching, he needs at bats in the Majors now. Even if Sweeney recovers in time to finish the season in KC, the Royals would be better served to let him ride the pine while letting Butler play.
