Surprise, Ariz. ? Injuries have limited Kyle Snyder’s pitching since the Kansas City Royals drafted him in 1999.

Snyder has pitched just 2211/3 innings in the majors and minors.

Now he’s at the Royals’ spring training hoping to earn a spot in their rotation, although there are likely only two jobs open.

“That’s my goal,” Snyder said. “I came here with that idea.”

Snyder has had two elbow operations and two shoulder surgeries since the club chose him after his junior season at North Carolina.

He threw only two innings in 2000 and did not pitch in 2001 as he recovered from “Tommy John” elbow surgery. He required shoulder surgery in September 2003 and additional shoulder surgery in February 2004, which caused him to miss last season.

“There’s no need of me sitting around pouting,” Snyder said Thursday. “That’s not going to get me anywhere. I want to remain positive. It’s more a motivation to get me back on my feet.

“It’s been a real long road, but under the circumstances things are about to swing my direction. My love and passion for this game has allowed me to persevere and compete. That’s what drove me everyday. I hope everything is behind me now and I’ve got a solid 10 years ahead of me.”

For the past six years, Snyder has spent more time on the disabled list and rehabbing than on the mound.

Snyder appeared to be healed after elbow surgeries in 2003. He went 3-0 with a 2.79 earned run average in five starts with Class AAA Omaha to earn a May 1, 2003, promotion to the majors. He went 1-6 with a 5.17 ERA in 15 big-league starts before his shoulder betrayed him in August 2003.

“The surgery in September (2003) was a cleanup, not a repair,” Snyder said.

When Snyder reported to spring training last year, it soon was apparent that his shoulder was aching under the heavy workload.

“Five months later and the cleanup was not working,” Snyder said. “We had to do a repair.”

Snyder was throwing 31/2 months after the surgery and off the mound in September.

“I came down and pitched in the fall instructional league, which I’ve got to know too well over the years,” Snyder said. “I’m back healthy and ready to do a job. This organization has been patient and stuck with me in this process.”

Snyder, who stands 6-foot-8, had a fastball clocked as high as 97 miles per hour before the shoulder surgery. He was throwing 89 to 92 mph in the instructional league.

“It would not surprise me, based on how my arm is feeling, if I get back to 97,” Snyder said. “My command is there.”

New pitching coach Guy Hansen has worked with refining Snyder’s delivery in the offseason.

“I think his delivery led to some of his problems,” Hansen said. “I’ve got him to get more extension and more squared up. One thing I’m trying to do is eliminate the medical problems.”