Paulino takes pause from rehab with lower back pain

KANSAS CITY -- Pitcher Felipe Paulino was back in the Royals clubhouse on Friday after being recalled from his rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Lower back stiffness caused the pause in his return from Tommy John surgery last July 3.

"Nothing's wrong with me. I'm OK, just here to check it out," Paulino said. "It's nothing bad. They know it's nothing major, just a strain in the lower back. It's no big deal."

Paulino planned to throw in the bullpen on Friday and hoped to return to pitching in the Minors by early next week. However, manager Ned Yost indicated Paulino might throw a simulated game in Kansas City first.

"I've been able to play catch and do my full workout," Paulino said. "I'm not stopping. They only removed me from [pitching] my game. I believe this week I'll be back to the games."