Kansas City Royals’ Luke Hochevar to rest in the remaining two starts – MLB News
The Kansas City Royals have decided to give their ace starter Luke Hochevar rest for the remaining two starts. As the team’s offence sparked on Thursday whereby it defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-2, Hochevar celebrated his 28th birthday as well.
However, only that he was no longer an active participant in the emphatic win that his team managed to score. Having made 31 starts this season, Hochevar essentially epitomized dedication and pitching perfection to win his team as many games as he could.
In the 31 starts that he has had in 198 innings, he had 11 wins with 4.68 ERA, having had an average of .252 with a 1.28 WHIP.
On Thursday, the Kansas City Royals’ manager revealed in a press conference that Luke Hochevar would not make the remaining two starts. The news came as a surprise largely because the starter apparently had no problem to stay away from the game.
However, the team manager had an explanation for it. "Does he feel strong? Is he healthy? Yeah," Yost said. "Can he finish his last two starts? Yeah, he wants to. But, to me, it just doesn't make any sense to continue to push the innings thing."
Hochevar who recently had contracted flu had triggered a little concern if he would be able to pitch. However, he pitched and threw well for the team. Considering the fact that Hochevar had pitched more than last year, his next two starts would also add
to his record
Luke, however, could see the logic behind the decision that the team ended up making.
"I can see their point," Hochevar said. "It's a smart move. Just kind of take it into the offseason and come into next year and take up where I left off. It would've been nice to make two more starts. ... As a competitor, you want the ball every time."
However, he quipped once asked if there was anything he wished. "If I knew it was my last one," Hochevar said of that start, "I would've faked not being sick better." Importantly, while having the flu, he pitched well enough in six innings to help win the
game for the team against the Minnesota Twins.
Although Hochevar’s team fell short of expectations as the squad remained at the 25th position in the MLB rankings this year. Hochevar kept the team afloat in his contribution to 11 wins. The Royals have so far won 66 of their games.
It will be interesting to see how the team faces the AL Central opponents without Hochevar. Only time will tell the impact his absence will create for the Royals.
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