"The most important piece of anatomy in the Royals' organization is tucked underneath a purple dress shirt, and Gil Meche swears it feels fine. There is no pain in that shoulder, Meche says, which means you are free to decide whether that's a good or bad sign.

Because his first start of the season turned out to be one of his worst in three years here, and if there are many more like this, it's hard to imagine the Royals not taking a grip on the bottom of the American League Central standings.

Meche gave up seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings of the Royals' 8-6 loss to Boston on Sunday, a self-described "terrible outing" by one of the most indispensable Royals.

He's given up more hits and more runs before, and been pulled earlier, but never in the same start, and never in one anticipated as an indication of what's to come.

"After not feeling healthy in a long time, I'm excited to pitch again," Meche says. "That's where the disappointment comes from. Feeling the way I feel and pitching the way I did, it's a waste."

How this plays out will go a long way in determining the Royals' success this season and next, because there doesn't appear to be much gray area here. Meche is either the guy who led the American League in starts his first two years in Kansas City, or the one who hasn't stayed healthy since."