By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

SURPRISE, Ariz. | The Royals trimmed their camp roster before Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers by sending six pitchers to minor-league camp.

There were no surprises.

Left-hander Everett Teaford and right-hander Kevin Pucetas were optioned to Class AAA Omaha, while right-hander Steve Shell and lefties Chris Dwyer, John Lamb and Will Smith were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Players on the 40-man roster must be optioned, while players not on the roster can simply be reassigned.

“It’s better for them to go (the minor-league camp) and get their innings,” manager Ned Yost said. “That way, when we need them over the course of the year, they’re ready and prepared. Instead of having them sitting here and backing up every day, we want them over there pitching.”

The moves reduced the camp roster to 53 players, including 23 pitchers.

Kendall in action

Veteran catcher Jason Kendall planned to test the recovery of his right shoulder Saturday in game conditions for the first time by playing three innings in a minor-league intrasquad game.

Kendall, 36, underwent surgery Sept. 3 to repair complete tears in three of four tendons in his right rotator cuff. The typical recovery period for the procedure is eight to 10 months.

While Kendall was scheduled to play defensively, the Royals don’t plan to have him throw to bases.

“He is at that point (that he could throw to bases),” Yost said, “but I told him I don’t want any throwing today. I want him just getting his legs underneath him the first time out in a controlled setting; just catching, receiving, blocking balls in the dirt and calling the game.”

Pitching plans

Pitching plans are now set through Wednesday and show an emphasis to create competitive opportunities for those on the bubble by assigning some roster locks to minor-league intrasquad games.

Jeff Francis pitched Saturday in a minor-league game, and plans call for Luke Hochevar, Robinson Tejeda and Joakim Soria to do so on Wednesday.

That creates the opportunity for Rule 5 acquisition Nate Adcock to start Tuesday against Oakland, and Mike Montgomery to start Wednesday night against Cincinnati.

“We know what Hoch and Francis can do against major-league hitters,” Yost said. “This gives us a chance to pitch Adcock against major-league hitters and evaluate Montgomery in a start situation.”

Tuesday’s other pitchers: Danny Duffy, Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Blaine Hardy and Kanekoa Texeira. On Wednesday: Jeremy Jeffress, Greg Holland, Louis Coleman and Jesse Chavez.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352, send email to bdutton@kcstar.com or follow him at twitter.com/royals_report.