Surprise, Ariz. ? Mark Teahen was supposed to spend spring training learning from the major-leaguers. Now, he could be on the fast track to being one on Opening Day.

The Kansas City Royals had hoped to send the promising young third baseman, who has never played an inning in the majors, to Triple-A Omaha to begin the season. But with Chris Truby, the projected starter, sidelined by a chipped bone in his left wrist, Teahen’s promotion could come sooner than expected.

And that, Teahen said, had been his goal all along.

“I think anybody who comes into a big-league camp is trying to prove they can play at this level,” he said after going 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday’s 6-3 exhibition victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The Royals aren’t quite ready to award Teahen the job officially, though.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s his to lose,” general manager Allard Baird said. “I think that would be going too far. But he is an option for us.”

The Royals obtained Teahen from the Oakland organization in June as part of a three-way deal that sent outfielder Carlos Beltran to Houston. When Joe Randa signed a free-agent deal with Cincinnati in the offseason, Kansas City brought in Truby, a journeyman minor-leaguer, to hold the position until Teahen was ready.

“We’re very strategic with the young players we bring into big-league camp,” Baird said. “They know they don’t have a chance to make the club, so they can start to loosen up.”

Royals third baseman Mark Teahen makes a catch during a spring training game. Teahen made the play against San Francisco on Saturday in Surprise, Ariz.

The idea is for players to learn big-league skills and work habits without the pressure of trying to make the Opening Day roster.

“They see a lot. They hear a lot. This keeps closed,” Baird said, making a zipping motion across his mouth.

Truby’s injury will not require surgery, but it will require that his wrist be immobilized for three weeks.