Surprise, Ariz. ? Officially, the Kansas City Royals open spring training today with pitchers and catchers.

In truth, most of the team’s 31 pitchers and seven catchers have been in for volunteer workouts for a week at the invitation of rookie manager Trey Hillman.

“I don’t know any specific counts,” Hillman said of the early arrivals. “It’s not been a priority of mine, simply because it was the unofficial official invite camp.”

At least 30 players already working out. Among the early arrivals were Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke, who are the top three in the Royals’ rotation, plus veteran catchers John Buck and Miguel Olivo.