Kila Ka'aihue, an 'Iolani School alum, is expected to be called up by the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Star reported yesterday.

Ka'aihue, a first baseman and designated hitter, will replace outfielder Rick Ankiel, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Monday, with a strained right quadriceps.

Ka'aihue, 26, is currently batting .304 (.466 on-base percentage and .620 slugging percentage) with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 23 games with Omaha and owns a .386 career on-base percentage in the minor leagues.

Royals manager Trey Hillman said the team tested Ankiel before deciding to place him on the disabled list. Ankiel is hitting .210 in 19 games with three home runs and nine RBIs.

OBITUARY

VOICE OF THE TIGERS HARWELL DEAD AT 92

Longtime Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, beloved by generations of fans who grew up listening to his rich voice, Southern cadence and quirky phrases on the radio, has died after a months-long battle with cancer. He was 92.

Harwell died yesterday at his home in Novi, about 30 miles northwest of Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers did not have additional details about his death.

Harwell, who called Detroit Tigers games for four-plus decades, announced in September that he had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the bile duct. Then 91, he took the news with characteristic poise, saying he planned to continue working on a book and other projects.

"Whatever happens, I'm ready to face it," Harwell told The Associated Press on Sept. 4, 2009. "I have a great faith in God and Jesus."

Harwell spent 42 of his 55 years in broadcasting with the Tigers. He was their play-by-play radio voice from 1960-1991 and 1993-2002.

ELSEWHERE

Braves: Atlanta placed shortstop Yunel Escobar (strain on the inside of his left thigh) on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of infielder Brandon Hicks from Triple-A Gwinnett. Escobar is hitting .215 with eight RBIs.

Dodgers: Los Angeles put shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring and purchased the contract of well-traveled infielder Nick Green from Triple-A Albuquerque. Furcal's move is retroactive to April 28.

Mets: Right-hander Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 2.40 ERA) is still expected to make his next scheduled start for New York, even though he had some tightness in his shoulder the last time out. Pelfrey is scheduled to pitch Friday in New York against the Giants.

Nationals: Stephen Strasburg dominated in Double-A, going 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in five starts with Harrisburg. Yesterday, Washington promoted its No. 1 overall draft pick to Triple-A Syracuse, keeping him on pace for a major league debut in the next month or so.