Royals hope shorthanded bullpen can keep them afloat
ARLINGTON, Texas -- With Monday's trade deadline looming large for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, their bullpens continue to get made over as they square off Friday in the second contest of a four-game series.
Texas got a boost Thursday when left-hander Dario Alvarez was added to the roster to give the club another option from the left side in the bullpen. Kansas City's bullpen suffered a huge blow as right-hander Luke Hochevar was put on the 15-day disabled list with symptom consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome.
The injury to Hochevar, who was 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 40 appearances, could put the Royals into a buy mode heading to the deadline as they try and replace one of their most consistent relief pieces. Losing Hochevar could also push the Royals into sell mode, in which closer Wade Davis would be an attractive target despite his recent struggles.
Alvarez, who didn't get into Thursday's 3-2 Texas victory, has been through a lot this season. He started the season with the New York Mets before getting designated and claimed by the Atlanta Braves in May. He was solid with the Braves, posting a 3.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts in his 15 innings for a last-place team.
He's made a big move in the standings after getting dealt Wednesday along with right-hander Lucas Harrell for minor-leaguer Travis Demeritte.
"I'm excited to be coming from a last-place team," said Alvarez, who warmed up in Thursday's game in the seventh inning. "I know I can help this team any way they want me. Of course I was surprised to get traded, but they have a lot of Latin players here and I feel very comfortable."
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Alvarez joins Jake Diekman as late-inning left-handers in the bullpen and gives manager Jeff Banister some much-needed flexibility.
Kansas City manager Ned Yost, whose team has dropped seven of its last nine games, could use a little help in relief too. Hochevar last pitched Sunday and had tingling in his hands while he was throwing on the side Thursday.
That prompted the club to put him on the disabled list. His loss is huge as he's held left-handed hitters to a .164 average this season and opponents were hitting .216 against him with runners in scoring position.
The Royals will be hard-pressed to replace that kind of relief help, which puts more pressure on starters such as Edison Volquez (8-8, 4.56 ERA) on Friday. Volquez allowed one run in his six innings in his last start, which also came against Texas.
Kansas City's bullpen got a break Thursday night too as Yordano Ventura pitched eight innings to pick up his first career complete game.
While losing Hochevar is tough, Yost said he thinks the offense can make things a little easier on the pitching staff. In their last four losses, Kansas City hasn't scored more than two runs.
"Start stinking hitting," Yost said. "It's as simple as that. You've got to get some hits. You've got to get some run production."
