Royals recall RHP Hochevar to start against Blue Jays, designate LHP Ramirez for assignment

Royals recall Hochevar to start against Blue Jays

TORONTO — The Kansas City Royals have recalled right-hander Luke Hochevar from Triple-A Omaha to start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

Left-hander Horacio Ramirez was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in three starts. He was sent down to Omaha on May 24 to get regular work as Kansas City used off days to switch to a four-man rotation.

Hochevar beat Toronto on April 26, 2008, for his first major league win. He is 6-15 with a 5.63 ERA in 29 career games.

Ramirez, 0-2 with a 5.96 ERA in 19 games, had not allowed a run in his past five appearances, covering five innings. The seven-year veteran has also pitched for Atlanta, Seattle and the Chicago White Sox.