Chen throws slow and sucks.

I think we should let Mendoza start, have another lefty in the pen with Chen, and call Hoch our long-reliever instead of Mendoza, but thats probably not what will happen.

Likely when Chen wears down after 4 2/3.

I'm hoping they moved him there to save face that they made a mistake and end up cutting him after a while.

Chen doesn't need to be on this major league club.

he should throw BP if anything at all.

Danny Parkins ‏@DannyParkins

The #Royals owe Hochevar 1/6 of his $4.65 mil salary if he's on roster Saturday (16 days before opener) All of it if on Opening Day roster.

Danny Parkins ‏@DannyParkins

If the #Royals cut him after Saturday but before opening day they owe him 1/4 of his salary (1.16 million). All of this per @royalsreview

Not bad work if you can get it.

Id just cut his ass now and save 3 mil

They need to cut Hoch now to keep his losing stench out of the clubhouse. This team needs people who ache to win. Hoch is like Greinke, he's only in it for the $.

you know, except greinke CAN ****ING PITCH WELL.

He's not pitching well this week....

I don't know if this was posted ... Can this be true!?!?!

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/ey...var-to-bullpen

Royals move Luke Hochevar to bullpen

Former prized prospect Luke Hochevar will no longer be a member of the Kansas City Royals starting rotation. Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters Wednesday morning that Hochevar will be moved to the bullpen (kansascity.com).

The decision leaves Luis Mendoza and Bruce Chen in competition for the fifth starter job behind James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis. None of those four already in the rotation were with the Royals at this time last year.

Hochevar's demotion is most notable due to the fact that he was the top overall draft pick in 2006 out of the University of Tennessee. He was once viewed as a future ace of the Royals' staff, but has gone 38-59 with a 5.73 ERA and 1.40 ERA in 771 career innings. He led the majors in earned runs allowed last season and is now 29 years old. So, yes, unfortunately the word "bust" can be bandied about here.

Some names that were drafted in the first round after Hochevar in 2006: Evan Longoria, Brandon Morrow, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, Max Scherzer, Ian Kennedy.

Then again, in fairness to Hochevar and the Royals, here are some others from that first round: Greg Reynolds (second overall), Billy Rowell, Kasey Kiker, Colten Willems, Maxwell Sapp, Cody Johnson and Jason Place.

Everytime i read this my heart dies a little more.

Bruce Chen for CY Young Award.

I'm sure the Royals are stubbornly thinking that a magical light switch is still going to come on and Hochevar is going to figure it out and pitch like you'd think he should when watching him throw a side session.

It's insane. But typical of the scout/old school culture in the Royals' front office. He's the modern Bret Tomko.