Former Cub Todd Wellemeyer is hoping for a spot in Kansas City's rotation in 2007. The Wichita Eagle reports:

Right-hander Todd Wellemeyer's plan this season is to break into Kansas City's starting rotation. That isn't far-fetched, even though he has spent his major-league career coming out of the bullpen.

He came out of the pen while with the Chicago Cubs and the Florida Marlins, and when he was claimed off waivers by the Royals in June, he was a long reliever.

But most of his baseball life, including his time in the minors, Wellemeyer was a starter.

" (In the minors) I never came out of the bullpen, not once," said Wellemeyer, who was at Side Pockets on Wednesday as part of the Royals Caravan. "We've got some openings and there's no reason why I can't (start)."

Wellemeyer, who was general manager Dayton Moore's first acquisition, will likely get the chance because the Royals' rotation isn't set.

Even though he pitched well out of the bullpen in 2006. He led all Royals relievers with 57 innings from June 9 through the end of the season. He had a 1-2 record and a team-leading 3.63 ERA in 28 appearances.

The article goes on to quote Wellemeyer as saying, "With Chicago, I never played. I played every 10-15 days. It wasn't fun doing that."