MESA, ARIZ. ? Kansas City slugger Mike Sweeney is ready to rejoin the Royals’ lineup, after the first baseman and designated hitter missed five spring training games because of a sore back.

“Sweeney’s ready to go,” manager Tony Pena said after the Royals’ 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. “We just decided to give him one more day. That way everybody would feel comfortable. But he’s ready to go, and he will be playing tomorrow.”

The Royals also said Tuesday that third baseman Chris Truby had a broken left wrist that would have to be immobilized for three weeks before he could begin rehab work. It was not clear when the injury occurred, the team said.

Truby, signed in the offseason as a minor league free agent, had been the leading candidate to replace Joe Randa, who left for Cincinnati as a free agent after the 2004 season.

Mark Teahen, who has no major league experience, is the only true third baseman left in camp. But the Royals have several utility players available, including Chris Clapinski and Denny Hocking, who could start at third on Opening Day if the Royals feel Teahen isn’t ready.

Corey Patterson hit a two-run single during a six-run fourth inning for the Cubs in their win over Kansas City on Tuesday.

Derrek Lee and Todd Hollandsworth each had a run-scoring single in the fourth. Chicago’s outburst came against reliever Chris George, who gave up six hits in one-third of an inning.

Cubs starter Sergio Mitre pitched three innings and gave up four hits and one run.