When the Kansas City Royals signed right-hander Luke Hochevar to a new deal worth $4.56 million In January, we questioned which pitcher they were signing, The Hochevar that pitched to a 2.12 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 106 innings of work in 16 starts or the one who 10.55 ERA in his other 16 starts.
As it turns out Hochevar won’t be starting at all as the team announced they were moving the former number one overall pick to the bullpen, and will pitch in long relief for the team. Overall the 28-year-old Hochevar was 8-16 with a 5.73 ERA in 32 starts in 2012 and owns 38-59 with a 5.39 ERA over his career.
Bruce Chen, Will Smith and Luis Mendoza will compete for the fifth spot in the Royals’ revamped rotation his spring.
The additions of Ervin Santana, James Shields and Wade Davis didn’t help Hochevar’s chances of sticking in the Royals rotation.
