As a group of regulars boarded a morning flight headed for Kansas City, the Royals concluded their spring training schedule on Saturday afternoon, falling 4-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Yordano Ventura allowed a run and four hits in two innings, throwing 43 pitches in his final tuneup start before the regular season. Ventura, who allowed 10 runs in his last appearance, is slated to make his debut against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. He was pitching Saturday with a pitch count of around 40 pitches.
With the Royals set to face the New York Mets on Sunday night in the season opener for both teams, manager Ned Yost trotted out a lineup full of minor-leaguers on Saturday.