"Gil Meche is now unlikely to pitch again the rest of the season, and Brian Bannister is headed to New York for a second opinion, both Royals pitchers dealing with shoulder injuries.

Royals manager Trey Hillman would not reveal what Bannister's diagnosis is from team doctors, or whether he thought it was possible for Bannister to pitch again this season.

The Royals hope Meche - who has shoulder inflammation - can play catch sometime soon, but are in no hurry to put him back in the rotation.

"I guess it's possible, but it's doubtful," Hillman said. "We want to monitor his body, continue to treat it.""