"Gil Meche produced a thumbs-up Monday afternoon after a pregame throwing workout to test whether his "dead arm" can handle his scheduled start Wednesday against Minnesota.

Meche rested his arm for two days, saying that Monday's throwing session from flat ground would determine his availability to pitch the series finale against the Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals manager Trey Hillman said the decision would mostly be Meche's. Turns out he feels good enough.

"Gil is good to go," Hillman said. "He's going to pitch Wednesday."

Meche is 4-7 with a 4.27 ERA, and his next start was in doubt after displaying diminished velocity and complaining of "not feeling good" after lasting just five innings in Friday's loss at Pittsburgh.

That was Meche's second straight disappointing start after a 132-pitch shutout of Arizona on June 16. In his next start, he gave up a career-high nine earned runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on June 21.

Guillen doesn't play

Outfielder José Guillen did not start Monday and may sit out again tonight. Hillman said Guillen has stiffness along his left side, and with no more open dates before the All-Star break, wants to be cautious.

"He's been doing a lot of work inside, trying to get balanced out," Hillman said. "He's been playing through it. I don't anticipate it being a long time.""