"It isn't only the bullpen where the Royals find themselves playing musical chairs in regard to their roster. The lineup is about to start its own game once second baseman Chris Getz returns from the disabled list.

All signs point to that happening Friday, when he is eligible to return, or shortly thereafter.

"I think we're pretty much in the clear in terms of the injury," Getz said. "It's pretty much healed. Now, it's just, (I've) got to wait out the rest of the DL time. I think the plan is do some rehab games next week."

Tentative plans call Getz to start a brief minor-league rehab assignment Monday at Class AAA Omaha. He cleared a major hurdle Friday when he experienced no problems in his strained right oblique muscle after taking part in on-field batting practice.

"I don't think it's any secret," manager Trey Hillman admitted, "that I'd like to get Chris back in the lineup, especially for what he does defensively. I think he's going to do some (good) things offensively as well."

Start the music.

If Getz goes back to second base, the suggests that Alberto Callaspo will shift likely shift back to third base at the expense of Alex Gordon. Club officials have steadily maintained Callaspo's bat needs to be in the lineup.

"You can't worry about that," Gordon said. "Everyone says day by day, and that's kind of how you have to look at that. You can't worry about what's going to happen in six days or you're not going to play (well) today."

An alternative considered in spring training, before a broken thumb that sidelined Gordon, was for Callaspo to draw time as the designated hitter."