Surprise, Ariz. ? Entering his fifth season with the Kansas City Royals, Jeremy Affeldt still isn’t clear on what his role on the team will be.

He was Kansas City’s No. 2 starter at the beginning of the 2003 season, took over as closer in 2004 – when he led the club with 13 saves – and last year he was setup man for closer Mike McDougal.

Now he’s being considered for a spot in the starting rotation again.

“I am excited about it,” Affeldt said Sunday. “My personal feeling is, if I’m not going to close, I’d rather start. I’d like to at least have a chance to start, and they are willing to give that to me.”

He has a 6-12 record with a 4.82 earned-run average in 33 career starts. He is 7-14 with a 4.21 ERA and 17 saves in 124 relief appearances.

As he works on strengthening his arm to throw more pitches this spring training, he’s also trying to come up with a few new ones to complement his curveball and mid-90s fastball.

In the offseason, former Royal pitcher Mike Boddicker showed Affeldt a new grip for his change-up, which he has been practicing during sessions on the mound.

“It keeps guys off my fastball, and command-wise is probably more effective than my split-finger,” Affeldt said. “We’re seeing the results of my change-up. I tweaked it a little this year, so where I have even more control of it and where I have more even confidence to throw it. I’m going to use that quite a bit.”

He’s also going back to his original curve.

“I had a smaller curveball the past couple of years,” Affeldt said. “I’m going to bring back my big curve. I’m going to throw that a lot more.”

There’s also a cut fastball that Paul Byrd, another former Royal, encouraged him to throw.

“It is too loopy sometimes,” Affeldt said. “I’m trying to take out some of the loopiness. I’ve never thrown it in a game. I’ve talked to Mac (pitching coach Bob McClure) on how to throw it. I can see where it is going to open up a lot of doors for me. It is going to give me command of the inside of the plate.”

No one questions Affeldt’s ability, but injuries have impeded his progress. He missed 60 games last season with two stints on the disabled list with a pulled left groin, and in 2004 he missed 48 games with a pulled right oblique.

In 2002-03, Affeldt went on the disabled list twice with a finger blister and split fingernail.

“Affeldt is throwing good,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said. “A lot of it is keeping him healthy. He’s had problems staying healthy. I think he’s a durable guy, but fluke stuff has set him back, like finger blisters and the groin.”