That's what it's like, he said, to be called up to the Major Leagues for the first time. The Royals purchased the right-hander's contract from Triple-A Omaha before Thursday's game.

Keppel was 3-4 with a 5.00 ERA in nine starts at Omaha. Thursday would have been his regular turn in the rotation, but that start was scrapped once he was told of his callup on Tuesday night.

For now, the Royals plan to use him as a reliever.

"I've got the bullpen bag and I'm ready to go," Keppel said.

Keppel, from St. Louis, had a number of friends and family drive up for Thursday's series finale with Detroit. He embraced his parents when he met with them about an hour before first pitch and then shook hands with friends.

Keppel's cheering section wasn't disappointed as the rookie made his Major League debut, buoying the Royals with 3 1/3 innings of one-run relief.

In the clubhouse a little while earlier, he enjoyed a few of the perks that come with getting promoted, like meeting with the equipment manager to find a cap that fits right.

Keppel wears a size 7 1/4.

"It's just hard to describe it," Keppel said. "Your dream come true. It's something that I've been working to get to for the six years I've been in pro ball and since I was 5 years old when I started playing."

He said that he should be well-served by what he has learned in the Minor Leagues.

"Throw strikes, keep the ball down, and trust your stuff," Keppel said. "That's what I'm going to use today. There's a reason they called me here and I'm capable of being here. Now it's just a matter of executing what I'm capable of doing."

Moore report: The Royals have received permission to interview Dayton Moore of the Atlanta Braves for a front-office position, the Kansas City Star reported.

Moore, 39, is the Braves assistant general manager for baseball operations and oversees the scouting and player development efforts.

Royals owner David Glass has promised changes in the front office, which presumably, would affect the status of general manager Allard Baird.

Goin' to California: Center fielder David DeJesus is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment on Thursday with Omaha, and will report to Fresno. DeJesus played in the outfield during extended Spring Training earlier this week. He has been on the disabled list since April 19, with a left hamstring strain.

He will be joined by right-handed reliever Leo Nunez, who was optioned before Thursday's game to make room for Keppel. Nunez pitched on Wednesday night against Detroit, allowing one run and one hit in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Nunez will break in his third locker in two days, whenever he connects with Omaha. Prior to the roster move, his space in the Kauffman Stadium clubhouse had been shifted across the room and adorned with a new nameplate on Thursday.

German back in the lineup: Following a day off Wednesday, Esteban German was the Royals' leadoff man and center fielder. Shane Costa, who normally fulfills both duties, moved to right field and the No. 2 hole.

German, who has mostly seen time in the infield this season, went 2-for-5 against the Tigers on Tuesday and leads Kansas City with a .468 on-base percentage. He has a .367 average (22-for-60) in his last 17 starts.

He sounded like his fellow Dominican, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols, when assessing his approach at the plate.

"Find a good pitch to hit and remain focused," German said. German also talked about not taking the words "off-day" too literally. "You have to be ready every day," he said. "Sometimes you're not starting today, but you could still get in the game to hit or play in the field."

Up next: The Royals open a 10-game road trip on Friday with the first of three games against the New York Yankees at 6:05 p.m. CT. Kansas City right-hander Scott Elarton (0-5, 4.71 ERA) will face Yankees righty Mike Mussina (6-1, 2.57 ERA).

Kansas City has lost 14 consecutive games at Yankee Stadium, dating to August 2002. New York recorded a three-game sweep of the Royals from April 11-13, this season.