07/05/09 5:20 PM ET

KANSAS CITY -- Two hours before Sunday's game against the White Sox, the chair sitting in front of Mitch Maier's locker was empty again.

Maier was off somewhere, probably with a bat in his hands.

It's become a daily ritual for Maier. As some of his teammates are just arriving at the ballpark, Maier is on the field, squeezing in an extra batting-practice session with Royals manager Trey Hillman.

At age 27, Maier is getting his first opportunity to play every day in the Major Leagues. An injury to starter Coco Crisp opened a huge hole in center field, and Maier has stepped in, playing in 22 of the Royals' last 23 games.

That trend will likely continue on Monday when the Royals begin a three-game series against the Tigers in Detroit.

That's where the extra batting practice comes in.

"Every level I've played at, there's been adjustments that have needed to be made to succeed there," Maier said. "Right now, I'm not hitting to my potential and there's adjustments that I need to make to do that."

Maier, who was drafted by the Royals with the 30th pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, is batting .222 with seven doubles in 60 games.

The Royals didn't expect Maier to contribute so much this season. He started the season with Triple-A Omaha, stuck behind Crisp, David DeJesus and Jose Guillen in the Royals' outfield.

But injuries to Guillen and third baseman Alex Gordon opened up roster spots, and Maier was called up to the Royals on April 16. He's stayed with the club all year, and now Crisp's injury has given Maier the chance to prove himself as an everyday player.

"Ultimately, that's all you can ask for," Maier said. "You work day in and day out your whole career for opportunities -- however big or small they are, or however long they last. It's a matter of taking advantage of it."

Pitching matchup
KC: RHP Gil Meche (4-8, 4.20 ERA)
Meche dispelled any doubts that he was fit for his last start, pitching six innings and running up 121 pitches, his second-highest total this season. His velocity appeared strong throughout his stint and he gave up only three runs, two earned, but took the loss. If anything, his command was off and he gave up five walks, matching his high for the season. Meche has now lost three straight starts since shutting out Arizona in a complete-game effort on June 16. Against Detroit on May 25, he lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up four runs, two earned. That was in KC; in Detroit's Comerica Park, he's 5-1 in his career.

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (5-7, 5.34 ERA)
Galarraga walked a season-high six hitters on Tuesday and lived to tell the tale, pitching his way out of danger to help the Tigers to a 5-3 win over the Oakland A's. "You can't walk that many. You can't," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "That's just the way it is. It's not part of the Major League game." Galarraga limited Oakland to one run on two hits ove 6 1/3 innings. He had five strikeouts. Galarraga had control problems when he faced the Royals on April 26, walking five. He got out of trouble then, too, allowing one run over six innings to get the win. He'll try for the same result -- maybe with fewer walks, though.

Crown Points
Pitching prospect Dan Cortez allowed two runs over six innings while striking out six for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday. Cortez is 6-2 with a 3.31 ERA in his last 10 starts. ... 2008 first-round Draft pick Eric Hosmer had a double and a run scored for Class A Burlington on Saturday.

Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSKC-HD

On radio
• KCSP 610

Up next
• Tuesday: Royals (Bruce Chen, 0-2, 4.38) at Tigers (Justin Verlander, 8-4, 3.54), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Royals (Zack Greinke, 10-4, 2.00) at Tigers (Lucas French, 0-0, 2.35), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Royals (Luke Hochevar, 4-3, 5.08) at Red Sox (Brad Penny, 6-3, 4.67), 6:10 p.m. CT

Rustin Dodd is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.