Jose Guillen went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer off Shaun Marcum in Wednesday's defeat of the Blue Jays.

Maybe Guillen was born to DH? He's been used exclusively in that role during his torrid start this year, and he's a career .286/.334/.515 hitter in 326 at-bats while plugged into the spot. As an outfielder, he's hit .272 and slugged .442.

Jose Guillen told the Kansas City Star Thursday that he "almost died" last year due to blood clots in both of his legs.

"I had to stay in St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City for 20 days (in the offseason) just lying in bed," said the outfielder. "My legs were so big, so swollen up. They were purple. I couldn't even walk on them. I couldn't feel my legs." Guillen obviously survived the experience and is off to a hot start this season, batting .361 with five homers and nine RBI through nine games. The blood clot scenario may partially explain the .242/.314/.367 line that he posted in '09.

Elevated into the cleanup spot in the lineup, Jose Guillen went 2-for-4 and hit his fourth homer in three games Tuesday.

Guillen opened the season batting sixth behind Rick Ankiel. Today, though, the Royals moved Billy Butler up to third and dropped Alberto Callaspo to sixth. The arrangement figures to stick for a little while, which is bad news for Ankiel, who now gets to hit behind a very poor on-base guy, and Callaspo.

Jose Guillen belted a pair of homers to drive in four runs against the Red Sox on Sunday.

Healthy after battling knee and hamstring injuries last season, Guillen had a quality spring and is playing for his next, and likely last of substantial value, contract. He's positively unexciting, but Guillen should be counted on for at least 20 homers and 80 RBI if he stays healthy. There are certainly worse AL-only options.