"It isn't enough, it seems, for manager Trey Hillman to juggle nearly every aspect of his pitching staff to provide the necessary contingencies arising from Gil Meche's balky shoulder.

Hillman is also tinkering with a new-look lineup that has third baseman Alberto Callaspo as the No. 3 hitter as the Royals march toward their April 5 season opener against Detroit at Kauffman Stadium.

There is little doubt, though, that any possible lineup changes pale in comparison to the growing anxiety surrounding Meche, who exited Monday's start against the White Sox after just three innings because of shoulder stiffness.

Revised plans call for Meche to skip his usual between-starts bullpen workout today, and club officials further concede he is unlikely to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the A's in Surprise.

"We're going to have to take it day to day and see how his next outing looks," Hillman said prior to Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Surprise Stadium. "We'll know more in the next 24-48 (hours)."

Meche continues to suggest he doesn't believe the stiffness indicates a major problem."