Winter Haven, Fla. ? While Grady Little awaited word on whether he’ll become Boston’s new manager, he spent Saturday in charge of a Cleveland Indians split squad that lost 6-5 to Kansas City.

Little, Cleveland’s bench coach, interviewed for the vacant managerial position with the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He managed half of Cleveland’s squad Saturday while Indians manager Charlie Manuel accompanied the other squad to face Philadelphia at Clearwater.

“Being a manager is fun,” Little said with a smile. “In a day or two, these things will be behind us. Then I’ll either be a bench coach here or Ill be with Boston.”

Left-hander Jose Rosado (2-0) worked the first two innings for Kansas City, allowing two runs on four hits in his second spring-training start. The two-time All-Star has not pitched since April 30, 2000, due to shoulder problems.

Chuck Finley did not fare as well. Finley worked three innings before exceeding his pitch count. He allowed four runs, five hits, a walk and three stolen bases, and was the loser.

Those hits included a two-run homer by Danny Ardoin and an RBI double by Neifi Perez. Michael Tucker had two RBI singles for Kansas City. Chuck Knoblauch singled twice, walked and scored two runs.

Cleveland’s Greg LaRocca hit a two-run homer off Doug Henry in the ninth inning.

Notes: Indians utility INF John McDonald, sidelined since an emergency appendectomy Feb. 27, took ground balls during a morning workout session. … The Royals optioned RHP Brad Voyles and RHP Orber Moreno to Triple-A Omaha and reassigned RHP Mac Suzuki to their minor league camp.