The Royals have designated lefty reliever Horacio Ramirez for assignment. Ramirez has pitched in 19 games (1 start) this season for the Royals and he is 0-2 with a 5.96 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Ramirez pitched in 34 games (1 start) in his two seasons with the Royals and he was 1-3 with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. The Royals DFA’d Ramirez to make room on the active roster for Luke Hochevar who started today for them. Hochevar was the winning pitcher for the Royals working 6 2/3 innings and allowing only 4 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 2 batters and whiffing 3. The fine pitching performance today by Hochevar lowered his ERA on the season to 7.85.

UPDATE: The Royals flat out released Ramirez who was then signed by the Washington Nationals.