Brian Anderson surprised the baseball community at the end of spring training when the slugging outfielder announced that he was converting to pitching.

Playing with his third franchise in eight months, Anderson saw his Big League dream stalled after five seasons and a .227 career batting average and 22 home runs.

The conversion to right-handed pitcher appears slow for the ex-Canyon Del Oro High School standout.

Brian Anderson pumps his fist after winning a friendly hitting game among Kansas City teammates in March at the Royals' spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz. Days later, Anderson announced he's converting from an outfielder to a pitcher--a risky experiment that has paid mixed dividends to date. Photo by Scott Salisbury.

The Royals promoted Anderson after he hurled five scoreless innings, striking out six batters and giving up two hits, for the club’s Arizona League squad.

His debut with the Single-A Burlington Bees was a bit auspicious. Anderson gave up three runs (two of them earned) and walked a batter in a third of an inning pitched. The rough outing gives him an ERA of 54.00 with the Bees.

No one said it would be easy, especially for a player who hasn’t taken the mound since his days at the University of Arizona. Reports say his fastball is ticking in the low 90s as he builds up his arm strength, while adding additional pitches (slide and changeup) to his repertoire.

At Arizona in 2002, Anderson went 0-2 with four saves and an 8.18 ERA in 11 innings pitched for the Wildcats.

The former White Sox first-round pick is, technically, on Kansas City’s 40-man roster, meaning he’s could travel to the Big Leagues when the rosters expand at the end of the month.

The Royals, however, sit buried in the American League Central division — 21 games out of the wildcat slot.

BEWARE THE INJURY BUG

You always hear the same adage bantered about, every time a wealth of talent hails from a particular town or region.

“Must be something in the water,” they say.

Whatever’s in the Tucson water, it’s probably best you put your glass down and switch to drink bottled water.

It’s been a tough, injury-riddled year for many of the Tucson’s prime baseball talents — including some of the most seasoned MLB players ever to hail from the Old Pueblo.

Here’s a look at what can best be described as an infirmary list as the 2010 season enters its dog days.*

SCOTT HAIRSTON

San Diego Padres; Canyon Del Oro High School 

KEY STATS: .232 BA; 10 HR; 33 RBI 

GAMES PLAYED: 79 

GAMES MISSED DUE TO INJURY: 16 

INJURY: Hamstring

J.J. HARDY

Minnesota Twins; Sabino

KEY STATS: .258 BA; 4 HR; 21 RBI 

GAMES PLAYED: 63
GAMES MISSED DUE TO INJURY: 43 

INJURY: Knee, Toe and Wrist

IAN KINSLER

Texas Rangers; Canyon Del Oro 

KEY STATS: .298 BA; 6 HR; 38 RBI 

GAMES PLAYED: 76
GAMES MISSED DUE TO INJURY: 21 

INJURY: Ankle and Groin

RYAN PERRY

Detroit Tigers; Marana

KEY STATS: 2-4; 1 SV; 4.99 ERA; 11 Holds

GAMES PLAYED: 33
GAMES MISSED DUE TO INJURY: 21

INJURY: Bicep

COMING AND GOING

A look at the Tucson players shuffling back and forth between the Major and minor leagues:

TIM WOOD

Sabino

The Florida Marlins sent the RHP down to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs on July 9 after posting a 5.53 ERA.

SHELLEY DUNCAN

Canyon Del Oro

The season-ending injury to Cleveland Indian centerfielder Grady Sizemore opened a roster spot for Duncan. Since being called up, the first baseman has hit .274 with 6 home runs in 45 games.

CHRIS DUNCAN

Canyon Del Oro

The slugging outfielder has played in 82 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, but hasn’t done much to merit a September call-up to the Washington Nationals. Duncan has 7 home runs, 27 RBI and a paltry .191 batting average on the year.

*FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The term “dog days of summer” dates back to the ancient Romans, who believed that Canis Major, the brightest star in the sky, provided the Earth with heat. Canis Major — also known as “Big Dog” or the “Dog Star” — rises and sets with the summer sun. This led to the belief that two heat sources made for hotter days.

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