KANSAS CITY, Mo. – All-Star closer Joakim Soria was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a shoulder injury, and the Kansas City Royals recalled right-hander Luke Hochevar from Triple-A Omaha.
Soria was second in the American League last year with 42 saves. He has seven saves in seven chances this season and is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA.
Hampered by lingering soreness in his right shoulder, he’s appeared in only eight games.
The Royals said Sunday that Soria was diagnosed with a strained right rotator cuff and they were uncertain when he might return.
Hochevar, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, was 5-0 with a 0.90 ERA at Omaha. The Royals said he will start Tuesday at Oakland in place of Sidney Ponson, who moves to the bullpen.
After his team’s 4-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said the Royals would close “by committee” until Soria returns. He went on the DL retroactive to May 8.
Hamilton close to return
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton played six innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Hamilton is on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his left rib cage area. He went 1 for 2 in the RedHawks’ 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Round Rock Express.
He walked, flied out and singled. He also scored a run.
Hamilton says he plans to be ready to play for the Rangers against Seattle on Tuesday night. He says he didn’t feel any pain when he slipped in the outfield and landed on his ribs Sunday.
Hamilton is batting .242 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games for Texas.