Manaea (oblique) could appear in a minor league game next week, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports. Manaea has advanced to the point of facing hitters at the Royals' extended spring training complex, so a return to game action is not far off. It remains to be seen which affiliate he will make his first start with, but he figures see Double-A action at some point this season after posting a 3.11 ERA and striking out 146 batters in 121.2 innings with High-A Wilmington in 2014.

Manaea (oblique) has started throwing bullpen sessions at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and is likely a few weeks away from joining the Double-A rotation, according to the Northwest Arkansas coaching staff. The team wants him healthy for the second half of the season in case there is a need at the big league level, as Manaea may be the most advanced of the organizations bevvy of impressive minor league arms. A 6-foot-5 lefty with mid-90s cheese and two offspeed offerings with plus potential, Manaea comfortably projects to be at least a mid-rotation arm at the highest level.

Manaea is dealing with an oblique strain, and when it heals he will join the Double-A Northwest Arkansas rotation, the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough reports. It's not clear when Manaea suffered the injury, but it should not cut into his 2015 campaign too much. Once healthy he will join a loaded Naturals' rotation featuring Brandon Finnegan and Miguel Almonte, among others.