Luke Hochevar: Contract option declined

Hochevar's 2017 option has been declined by the Royals, making him a free agent, the Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals reportedly have interest in bringing Hochevar back, but for significantly less than the $7 million he would have been due under the option. Hochevar, the top pick in the 2006 first-year player draft, has pitched well out of the bullpen in recent seasons but comes with significant health concerns. He's had Tommy John surgery and missed the final two months of 2016 after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery.