KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar is out for the season with a bruised right rib cage.
The No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, Hochevar was transferred Sunday from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. The right-hander ended his season 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA.
Kansas City also purchased Brandon Duckworth's contract from Triple-A Omaha and started him against the Detroit Tigers. It was Duckworth's 128th major league appearance and his 2008 big league debut.
To make room on the 25-man roster, the Royals optioned left-hander Josh Newman to Omaha. Newman has a 7.71 ERA in four relief appearances for Kansas City. He was called up from the minors Wednesday when Hochevar went on the DL.
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