Peoria, Ariz. ? Jeremy Guthrie pitched six strong innings in his final tuneup before sliding into the No. 5 spot in Kansas City’s rotation, and the Royals beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 Tuesday night.

Guthrie, who turns 36 next week, allowed one run and six hits while striking out five. The 13-game winner from a year ago threw 93 pitches.

Brandon Morrow, front-runner for the Padres’ final rotation spot, gave up three runs and seven hits before leaving with one out in the fifth.

In his first start since March 21 due to a blister on his pitching hand, Morrow settled down after a two-run first inning that included a leadoff walk, a balk and his own fielding error.

San Diego outfielder Matt Kemp went 0 for 3 and badly misjudged Mike Moustakas’ fly to right that fell for a single.

Furcal released

The Kansas City Royals have released three-time All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal, two weeks after he signed a minor league deal.

Furcal didn’t appear in a Cactus League game as he recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in winter ball.

Tuesday’s move doesn’t affect the Royals’ big league roster as Furcal was not invited to camp.

The 37-year-old Furcal played nine games last year with Miami after missing all of the 2013 season following elbow reconstruction surgery.