Hochevar called up

Luke Hochevar, the 6'5" 210 pound right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Omaha Sunday.

Three factors may be the leading causes as to why Luke Hochevar was called up from Triple-A.

1. Joakim Soria was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. Continuing shoulder soreness forced Joakim to go on the disabled list.

So far this year Soria had one win and no losses. Soria saved seven games in seven opportunities. In 8.2 innings pitched he had 10 strikeouts, gave up eight hits and only two earned runs.

The loss of Soria opens up a slot for Hochevar to move in.

2. Sidney Ponson has struggled so far this season creating a need for a solid starter in the fourth spot in the rotation.

So far this year Ponson had one win and four losses. Ponson has pitched 35 innings and given up 43 hits and 23 earned runs. Opposing batters are hitting .307 against Ponson.

Those numbers scream for a change to be made.

3. Luke Hochevar has pitched fabulously in Triple-A up to date.

So far this year (in Triple-A Omaha) Hochevar has five wins and no losses. He has pitched 40 innings, struck out 30, given up 28 hits and only 4 earned runs. Hochevar's earned run average is an impressive 0.90.

Hochevar has done spectacular thus far and earned his trip back to the big leagues.

Last year Joakim Soria saved 42 games, had only three blown saves, and ERA of 1.60 and opponents hit a mere .170 against him. He established himself as one of the elite closers in the game with those numbers. There were no signs this year of Soria slowing down.

The loss of Soria will deal a blow to the Royals' bullpen. However Trey Hillman and the players on the team are confident they have a strong enough bullpen to weather this storm.

With Luke Hochevar being called up Sidney Ponson will be bumped to the bullpen. Sidney's presense in the bullpen will help to stabilize it for the time being.

In Ponson's last outing against the Mariners he gave up only one run over 7 1/3 innings. The move to the bullpen is not a demotion, with the loss of Soria changes had to be made. Besides Hochevar is coming off one of his best starts of the year in Triple-A Omaha. He threw eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a loss against Memphis.

Last year Hochevar made his rookie debut and struggled for the Royals. He ended the year with a record of six wins and thirteen losses. His ERA was 5.21. But this is a different year. Hochevar has obviously done well in Triple-A and caught the attention of Trey Hillman.

Only time will tell how the loss of Soria and the calling up of Hochevar will affect the club. For now optimism for the recovery of Soria and the success of Hochevar must be kept high.