Royals Put DH Davis on Disabled List

Designated hitter Chili Davis was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday because of a slightly torn thigh muscle.

Although Davis is eligible to return Sunday, a team spokesman said he’ll be out at least two weeks and could miss a month.

Right-handed reliever Jaime Bluma also was put on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. He was scheduled to have an MRI exam today.

Bluma was expected to be the team’s closer if Jeff Montgomery couldn’t return from shoulder surgery. Montgomery had season-ending surgery Sept. 4 to repair a slightly torn right rotator cuff. However, the Royals said Montgomery is healthy and will start the year as the team’s top short reliever.

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Despite being a front-office executive, former Minnesota Twin star Kirby Puckett remains on the roster to collect his $6-million salary for the 1997 season. Puckett was forced to retire last summer after losing the vision in his right eye to glaucoma. He is on the 60-day disabled list.

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Third baseman Cal Ripken and the Baltimore Orioles have yet to reach an agreement in negotiations designed to extend Ripken’s contract beyond this season. Ripken, 36, and General Manager Pat Gillick had set opening day as the deadline for talks on the extension. Both sides remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached, though Ripken said he will suspend the discussions after today’s game because he does not want them to become a distraction.