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After a tough battle with Bruce Chen, Luis Mendoza has been named the
fifth starter in the Kansas City Royals’ starting rotation. Chen will be moved
to the bullpen.
Mendoza had an impressive spring for Kansas City, allowing only one run
in 11 innings pitched. Chen struggled in spring ball, giving up 13 runs and 16
hits in 13 and 2/3 innings. Mendoza also had an impressive showing in the World
Baseball Classic for his native Mexico. As a result, Mendoza will be joining
James Shields, Ervin Santana, Jeremy Guthrie and Wade Davis in the Royals’
starting rotation.
Chen could be a valuable asset to what is already a strong bullpen, and
the veteran provides Kansas City with some nice insurance should one of the
starters get hurt or struggle. Chen has won 35 games over the past three
seasons and has been very reliable for the organization.
The Royals will have to make several other roster decisions in the near
future. The team must decide between Brett Hayes and George Kottaras in the
battle for the backup catcher position, and between Miguel Tejada and Irving
Falu for the utility infielder spot. Kansas City will also have to settle on
its bullpen, where pitchers such as J.C. Gutierrez, Francisley Bueno, Louis
Coleman, Dan Wheeler and Donnie Joseph are all competing.
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Despite being a former top overall draft pick, Luke Hochevar has struggled with consistency as a starter his entire career in Kansas City. Now it appears that the right-hander’s days as a starter with the Royals are over, as Kansas City announced that Hochevar will be moved to the bullpen.
Hochevar had been competing with Bruce Chen and Luis Mendoza for the final spot in the starting rotation along with James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis. Now the battle is between Chen and Mendoza. Chen has been steady for the Royals, and has the most wins of any pitcher with the organization over the past three years. Despite Chen’s consistency, Mendoza has to be the favorite. After a rocky start to last season, Mendoza has pitched very well and could be due for a big season.
Hochevar has baffled Kansas City fans with his inconsistency – at times he looks like a dominant starter, other times he looks like he doesn’t belong in the major leagues. Unfortunately, the bad has outweighed the good in his career, and the former top pick has a 5.39 ERA and a 38-59 record in 132 career starts.
While Mendoza and Chen are the front-runners to win the fifth starter’s spot, Will Smith has emerged as a dark horse candidate. Smith has a 1.29 ERA so far this spring and could be a potential starter down the road for Kansas City.
The emergence of Smith may lead to Kansas City considering trading Hochevar, as Kansas City already has a loaded bullpen. Greg Holland’s job as the closer and Kelvin Herrera’s position as his setup man are locks, and the Royals also have Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, Nate Adcock and Louis Coleman as relief pitchers. The loser of the Chen and Mendoza battle could also be used in relief, and it appears there isn’t much room for Hochevar. Don’t be surprised if the Royals try to shop Hochevar over the next couple of weeks.
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Paulino had a strong game, striking out nine batters over six innings. The win was his first since June 4, 2010, which seems shocking given how well he has pitched in Kansas City. The Royals aquired him for cash considerations after he was designated for assignment by Colorado - a move that is now looking like one of the biggest steals of the season. Paulino has brought consistency to a starting rotation that desperately needed it, and the Royals management deserves credit for finding a diamond in the rough.
Kansas City's bullpen pitched well after Paulino left the game, as Louis Coleman and Joakim Soria both kept the White Sox scoreless over the final three innings. Coleman has been very consistent this season, while Soria seems to be working his way back into all-star form.
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