The Kansas City Royals will play 72 regular-season games against AL Central opponents during the 2012 MLB season. Those opponents include the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The home and away games will be evenly distributed at 36.

The Royals will host their first game against an AL Central opponent when they play the Cleveland Indians from April 13 through April 15. They’ll finish their season with a three-game home series against the Tigers from October 1 through October 3. The Royals won’t host a divisional contest from April 19 through June 3.

Here is a brief rundown of the Royals’ schedule against divisional opponents for the 2012 MLB season.

Complete MLB schedule can be found HERE.

April 2012 (6 Home, 7 Road)

April 13-15: Cleveland Indians

April 16-18: Detroit Tigers

April 24-26: at Cleveland Indians

April 27-29: at Minnesota Twins

April 30: at Detroit Tigers

May 2012 (0 Home, 8 Road)

May 1-2: at Detroit Tigers (Continued)

May 11-13: at Chicago White Sox

May 28-30: at Cleveland Indians

June 2012 (3 Home, 2 Road)

June 4-6: Minnesota Twins

June 29-30: at Minnesota Twins

July 2012 (7 Home, 4 Road)

July 1: at Minnesota Twins (Continued)

July 6-8: at Detroit Tigers

July 13-15: Chicago White Sox

July 20-22: Minnesota Twins

July 31: Cleveland Indians

August 2012 (9 Home, 3 Road)

August 1-2: Cleveland Indians (Continued)

August 6-8: at Chicago White Sox

August 17-19: Chicago White Sox

August 28-30: Detroit Tigers

August 31: Minnesota Twins

September And October 2012 (11 Home, 12 Road)

September 1-2: Minnesota Twins (Continued)

September 7-9: at Chicago White Sox

September 11-13: at Minnesota Twins

September 18-20: Chicago White Sox

September 21-23: Cleveland Indians

September 25-27: at Detroit Tigers

September 28-30: at Cleveland Indians

October 1-3: Detroit Tigers

MLB schedules subject to change due to rainouts or any other unanticipated postponement.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months. He can be found on Twitter HERE.

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AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Detroit Tigers

AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Chicago White Sox

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Michael Brantley says the trade that brought him to Cleveland is a thing of the past. He’s right.

So why doesn’t it fade into the baseball mist instead of remaining a sharp pain in the side of the Indians’ front office? There was no way they were going to be able to pay CC Sabathia enough money to stay in Cleveland, but the return on the trade is what keeps it in the present tense.

Matt LaPorta was supposed to be the equalizer in the trade for the Indians. After two years of LaPorta’s inconsistent offense, he’s ticketed for Class AAA Columbus following the acquisition of first baseman Casey Kotchman. The Indians received three other players in the deal, but lefty Zach Jackson is long gone and reliever Rob Bryson is still trying to find good health in the minors.

Center stage, at the moment, belongs to Brantley. He’ll occupy two spotlight positions Opening Day on April 5 at Progressive Field. With Grady Sizemore injured, Brantley will be in center field and bat leadoff.

It’s a lot to handle for a guy who in the deal was a player to be named. The Indians sent Sabathia to Milwaukee on July 7, 2008. Brantley didn’t officially become an Indian until Oct. 3 of that year. In a unique twist to the deal, the quality of player the Indians would receive was dependent on whether the Brewers made the postseason. They did, with Sabathia carrying them into October, which gave the Indians the right to pick Brantley.

When the deal was complete, Brantley was getting ready to start playing in the Arizona Fall League.

“There were tons of rumors the whole time after the trade happened,” he said. “It was between me and Tyler Green. There were a lot of questions, but I just had to go out and play good baseball.”

Now Brantley stands alone, trying to avoid Sabathia’s long shadow. In the 31/2 seasons since the deal, Sabathia has won 70 regular-season games for the Brewers and the Yankees.

“That trade is so far behind us right now,” said Brantley. “I’m just glad to be a Cleveland Indian. They traded for me. I love being here. . . .

“You guys talk about the trade. What came from the trade. That really doesn’t bother me. My goal is to help this team the best way I can.”

What manager Manny Acta wants from Brantley is good defense in center field and a decent on-base percentage when he’s at the plate. Brantley’s on-base percentage last year was .318. Acta would like to see it in the .340 to .350 range.

“Before Michael hurt his wrist last year, he was doing a pretty good job setting the table for us,” said Acta. “Obviously, I want to see consistency when it comes down to on-base percentage.

“Again, I can throw out 11/2 months of last season because I saw the pain he was playing through. I saw what he and Lonnie Soloff [head athletic trainer] had to go through just to get him on the field.”

At midseason Brantley broke the hamate bone in his right hand. He said he may have injured it diving for a ball in the outfield, but really felt it swinging the bat. He played only 14 games in August before having surgery Aug. 31.

Brantley said he learned a lot playing with the injury.

“You have to battle through things in this game,” said Brantley. “You have to be tough because you’re not going to feel good each and every day. I gave it the best I could for as long as I could.”

Brantley, 24, has yet to play a full season in the big leagues. The Indians still don’t have a clear idea of what he can and can’t do.

“I’m nowhere near the top of my ceiling,” he said. “I have a lot to prove still. I worked very hard this off-season to take care of my body the best way I can so I can stay on the field.”

The Indians beat the White Sox, 12-3, Thursday at Goodyear Ballpark. Brantley went 1-for-4 with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning. Last year Brantley hit .327 (51-for-156) with runners on base and .302 (13-for-43) with two out and runners on scoring position.

“That’s about getting the job done for your teammates,” said Brantley. “Little stuff like that keeps the team moving along.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5152

On Twitter: @hoynsie

 GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Gaudy spring training numbers can’t save a prospect from getting optioned to the minors with the Indians.

 It didn’t keep Lonnie Chisenhall in big league camp last spring even though he hit .500 (13-for-26) with two doubles, one triple, two homers and five RBI.

 Left-hander Scott Barnes doesn’t hit for a living, but he did put up impressive numbers this spring and was still option to the minors Thursday morning along with Nick Weglarz, Thomas Neal and Danny Salazar.

 Barnes pitched seven scoreless innings in three Cactus League games before being optioned to Class AAA Columbus along with Weglarz and Neal. Salazar was optioned to Class A Carolina.

 In Wednesday’s 2-2 10-inning tie against the Giants, Barnes finished the game with three scoreless innings, facing the minimum of nine batters. He allowed one hit, but that hitter was thrown out attempting to steal second.

 Barnes impressed manager Manny Acta and the coaching staff, but Acta made it clear to reporters after Wednesday’s game that he did not have a chance to break camp with the big league club.

 ”He’s not competing to make our club out of spring training,” said Acta. “We do see him contributing to our ballclub, but we don’t know when. . .April 10, April 30, May, June? I’m being realistic.”

 Barnes throws a fastball, slider and change up. His velocity ranges from 90 mph to 94 mph. He missed the second half of last season because of surgery on his left knee.

 ”He’s has been very aggressive this spring,” said Acta. “He hasn’t been intimidated at all. He has a good changed up that we haven’t seen too much in spring training, but we saw it last year.”

 Neal and Weglarz missed much of last season with injuries. Neal was hitless in seven at-bats this spring. Weglarz hit .250 (1-for-4).

 He’s back: On Feb. 21, the Indians trade lefty Kelvin De La Cruz to Texas for cash after designating him for assignment. On Thursday, they reacquired De La Cruz from Texas, reportedly, for the same amount of cash.

 The Rangers needed roster space and offered him back to the Tribe. De La Cruz made one appearance for the Rangers.

 Take a look: With Casey Kotchman out with a lower back strain, Acta says Beau Mills will be getting more of a look from the big league club. Mills, a No.1 pick in 2007, isn’t in big league camp, but he’ll be used as an extra player in Cactus League games.

 There are 55 players in camp.

 Another look: With first baseman Casey Kotchman sidelined with a sore lower back, Acta says he’d like to see Beau Mills a few more times this spring. Mills was a late-inning replacement at first base on Wednesday against the Giants.

 The Indians made Mills their No.1 pick in 2007, but he’s struggled.

 ”He’s still very young,” said Acta. “No one here has given up on him. He had a good season last year. With our situation at first base, he’s a guy who is still in our plans. Just because we didn’t bring him to camp to begin with doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of him.”

 Acta said he’ll use Mills, 25, as an extra player from time to time this spring.

 ”I want to take a look at him whenever I get an opportunity,” said Acta.

 Mills, who is not on the 40-man roster, hit .269 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 35 games at Class AAA Columbus last year. He combined to hit 18 homers with 67 RBI at Columbus at Class AA Akron.

 Sellout crowd: The Indians have sold out their home opener April 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field. It’s the 20th straight home opener sellout for the Indians, the last 19 at Progressive Field.

 From a historical perspective, it will be the Indians’ 112th opening day as a charter member of the American League.

 Gates will open at 1 p.m. for the 3:05 p.m. start. All fans will receive an Indians magnet schedule.

 Today’s lineups:

 White Sox: CF Alejandro De Aza, C A.J. Pierzynski, DH Alex Rios, RF Kosuke Fukudome, SS Alexei Ramirez, LF Dayan Viciedo, 3B Brent Morel, 1B Dan Johnson, 2B Gordon Beckham, P Dylan Axelrod.

 Indians: CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis, DH Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, 1B Shelley Duncan, LF Russ Canzler, 3B Jack Hannahan, RF Ryan Spilborghs, SS Jason Donald, P Justin Masterson.

 Injuries: Relievers Rafael Perez (left shoulder) and Robinson Tejada (right calf) threw simulated games Thursday and should be back in Cactus League action this weekend or next week. . .First baseman Casey Kotchman (back) swung the bat in soft toss Thursday. Acta says he’s getting closer to game action. Kotchman has missed five days. . .The White Sox scratched Adam Dunn from Thursday’s lineup with a stiff neck. . .Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery) was placed on the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the Tribe’s 40-man roster. 

 Baseball breakfast: The Plain Dealer is holding its annual Opening Day breakfast to talk Indians baseball. It’s $25 a person from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Plain Dealer.

 There will be a breakfast buffet with door prizes.

 Terry Pluto, Dennis Manoloff and Paul Hoynes will take questions. To register go to plaindealer.com/homeopener. For questions call 216-999-4028.

 Next: Kevin Slowey will face Garret Richards of the Angels on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. Game will be on indians.com webcast. . .Thursday’s game between the Tribe and White Sox can be seen on SportsTime Ohio at 4:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game, but the broadcast will be delayed.

The Cleveland Indians have all the ingredients it takes to make a run at a World Series championship. They are a young nucleus that not many teams can match up to, and they have a lights-out bullpen that is a manager’s best friend.

If the Indians can stay away from the major injuries, the American League better watch out.

1. Ubaldo Jimenez: Jimenez was hurt in spring training last season when he was pitching for the Colorado Rockies and never could get back on track. The Indians believe once he straightens out his mechanics, Jimenez will make for a big comeback year.

2. Exciting young nucleus: The young core of players the Indians have put together between trades and through their farm system have help pushed the Indians towards contention in 2012. Young veterans like Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Shin-Soo Choo are heading into the best years of their careers. Then, add in the homegrown talent like Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis and Scott Barnes. No other team in the major leagues has that type of experienced young talent mixed with up and coming talent.

3. The Bullpen Mafia: The “Bullpen Mafia” is not just a catchy nickname, it could be baseball’s best bullpen in 2012. It’s led by All-Star closer Chris Perez, who recorded 36 saves in just 40 opportunities. Add in some of baseball’s best set-up men in Rafael Perez, Joe Smith, and Vinnie Pestano, and you have manager Manny Acta’s new best friend.

On top of that, the Indians have talented bullpen options in Triple AAA Columbus. Young arms like Nick Hagadone, Chen Lee, and Bryan Price give the Indians what most teams don’t have—depth.

4. Carlos Santana: This young catcher is quietly becoming one of baseball’s best players. In just his first full season, Santana hit 27 home runs and drove in 79 runs. At just 25 years of age, Santana has a ton of room to still get better and develop. No other team in baseball has a better catcher than Santana.

5. A weak AL Central: Outside of the Detroit Tigers, there is not another team in the Central Division that the Tribe have to worry about. The Tigers also have many weaknesses too such as the four question marks in their starting rotation. Then throw in what has a chance to be one of the worst infield defenses in the history of baseball, and you can see the problems you could run into.

The other three teams in the Central Division are the Royals, White Sox and Twins, and they are either too young or just plain bad. The Royals are too young and have a starting rotation with more questions than the Tigers. The White Sox are a total mess. With baseball’s worst minor league system and a major league roster full of bad contracts, the White Sox are in the middle of a quagmire. The Twins are a team that finished with 99 losses. They also lost Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel through free agency, and I think everyone can agree 2012 will not be the year of the Twins.

Del Yates Jr. is a 3rd generation Cleveland Indians fan. He grew up watching the Indians and has attended hundreds of games. Nobody knows more about the Indians then Del Yates Jr. Follow him on Twitter @YahooYates.

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The clubhouse in the Indians’ spring training complex is a beautiful place in February and March. It’s full of laughter and talent and the constant pull of the approaching season with its dueling faces of success and failure.

In May and June, it’s dead. Sixty empty lockers, their purpose for the year already fulfilled. Across the hallway, the minor-league locker rooms are still full of kids getting ready for the short-season clubs in Mahoning Valley and the Arizona Rookie League. The big-league locker room is off limits to them.

The only players who get to use it don’t want to be there. It means they’ve been injured and have been sent to the desert to recover.

“It’s a lonely place,” said Jason Donald.

Last year, Donald spent over a month in Arizona recovering from a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. It was the last of three injuries he had in 2011. As he dressed in the big locker room by himself, Donald wondered if he’d ever be healthy again and if the 88 games he played for the Indians in 2010 might be his last in the big leagues.

“I’m lucky I have strong solid people in my life … my parents, some of my friends, my girlfriend,” said Donald. “[General Manager] Chris Antonetti called me when I was here. He didn’t have to do that. He didn’t have to do that at all.

“It’s such a small thing, but it meant a lot to me. You come here and you feel like you’re forgotten. When you’re gone, it’s out of sight and out of mind.”

The injury taught Donald about his friends and the game. It stops for no one. The old saying, “Babe Ruth is dead and they’re still playing baseball,” is true.

“That’s one thing I realized,” said Donald. “The game just continues to keep going whether you’re there or not. It’s a scary thing.”

Donald came to Goodyear last spring favored to win the third-base job. On March 5, White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd broke his left hand with a pitch. Goodbye third base, hello disabled list. While working his way back, Donald strained a groin muscle on a wet field at Class AAA Columbus. After that healed, Gookie Dawkins from Class AAA Charlotte, the top farm team of the White Sox, sent him to Goodyear with a sprained MCL with a take-out slide at second base on May 10. Donald said it was a dirty play.

“I had just been back to Columbus for a week when I hurt my knee,” said Donald. “I just said ‘Uncle.’”

When the Indians traded Orlando Cabrera to the Giants on July 31, they recalled Donald. He hit .318 (54-for-174) with six doubles, one homer and eight RBI in 47 games. He played second, short and third, while hitting .377 (23-for-61) against lefties.

“He really sees the ball well against lefties and crushes them,” said manager Manny Acta. “He’s talented, man. He had an opportunity to play last year and took advantage of it.”

Donald said the game slowed down for him last year. The parks and the lights didn’t look as big and bright as in 2010.

“After I got healthy, I realized how much fun it was to play,” said Donald. “I realized how grateful I was to put a major-league uniform on. I know it’s a cliche. I know everyone says it, but I wasn’t sure if the only chance I ever had might be gone.”

When the 2012 season ended, the Indians asked him to go back to Goodyear to learn the outfield. They wanted to increase his versatility so it would give them more chances to use his right-handed bat. The Indians were happy with how Donald responded. He’s expected to see time in left and center later this month. For now it will be second, shortstop and third base.

In Tuesday’s 3-2 Cactus League victory over Kansas City, Donald batted leadoff and started at third. He moved to short and back to third to end the game.

“Eventually, I want to be an everyday guy at one spot,” he said. “In the meantime, if this is a way for me to establish myself with the Indians and in the big leagues, I’m more than happy to do it.”

On Twitter: @hoynsie

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have named Justin Masterson as their Opening Day starter for April 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field.

Manager Manny Acta announced the move Friday morning.

Masterson went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 games, including 33 starts last year. He struck out 158, walked 65 and allowed 211 hits in a career-high 216 innings.

“It’s well deserved,” said Acta. “Coming into the season last year we all knew he had the stuff. He went through a rough time the year before (2010) making the transition to being a starter, but he learned a lot.

“He earned it by being the guy we wanted to see out there every five days. By being the guy that whenever you rolled into another town, the other team was wondering if they were going to see him or not. That’s what being a No.1 means in this league.”

Acta’s choices for Opening Day were Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. He told them of his decision Thursday.

“We’ve come a long way to actually think about it and have choices for our Opening Day starter,” said Acta. “Two years ago we named Jake Westbrook, who was coming back from Tommy John surgery and had three starts in Puerto Rico. This year we had a choice between Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez.”

Acta probably would have made the announcement sooner, but he wanted to see how Masterson handled his work early in camp. Masterson had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder to remove a cyst and correct a posterior labral tear at the end of last season.

“It wasn’t a tough call at all,” said Acta. “Everyone knew this guy was our horse last year and Ubaldo wasn’t on top of his game. Justin wasn’t our Opening Day starter last year and he ended up being our No.1. That’s just one date. After the season starts rolling over, everyone is No.1 on their day.”

Acta said Jimenez took the news well.

“Ubaldo was very appreciate that we talked to him,” said Acta. “He understands. He clearly understands. He didn’t have his typical year last year.

“This guy has already been the Rockies Opening Day starter after their World Series year. He knows his job is to be a No.1 pitching out of the No.2 spot.”

The Indians acquired Jimenez from Colorado on July 31 for No.1 picks Drew Pomeranz and Alex White and two other players. Jimenez went 10-13 with a 4.68 ERA, including a 4-4 record with a 5.10 ERA in 11 starts with the Indians.

Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, was the Tribe’s Opening Day starter last year. He allowed 10 earned runs in three innings in a 15-10 loss to Chicago.  It was the most runs, according to Elias, ever allowed by a starting pitcher who threw no more than three innings in his team’s first game of the season.

“I hope I can do a little better than what Rob (Hernandez) did last year,” said Masterson. “It’s an honor to be out there. I want to set the tone for the team, the game and for the season.

“It should be fun. It’s usually a packed house in Cleveland on Opening Day. Who doesn’t like playing in that situation?”

After Masterson and Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe will fill the top four spots in the rotation. Acta says he won’t know how Tomlin and Lowe line up until later this month. The competition for the fifth spot includes Kevin Slowey, Zach McAllister, Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff.