This was an easy call by the Royals as Perez was in line to make $9 million bucks in 2008. This will be addition by subtraction for the Royals as Perez was awful for the Royals this year. Perez started 26 games this season for the Royals and he was 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. In 137.1 innings this year, Perez allowed 178 hits, walked 50 batters and whiffed 64.

The Royals have finally released starting pitcher Scott Elarton and he fully deserved it based on the way he has pitched this season.  Elarton started 9 games this season for the Royals and he was 2-4 with a 10.46 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP.  In 37 innings this season Elarton allowed a whopping 53 hits, 12 homers, walked 21 batters and only whiffed 13.  Elarton will be replaced in the rotation by either John Thomson or Leo Nunez.

Jorge De La Rosa, Odalis Perez and Scott Elarton have been pretty bad so far this season.  De La Rosa started the season off pretty decent but he has not been too good lately.  He is 7-9 with a 5.16 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP so far this season.  It’s possible that De La Rosa could turn it back around but it’s not likely.  Odalis Perez has been awful for a couple of seasons now and he’s been pretty bad this season too.  He is 4-8 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP so far this season and I don’t think he’ll get any better in the 2nd half.  Scott Elarton is 2-3 with a 9.17 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP so far this season.  He is currently rehabbing in the minors but don’t expect much from him when he returns.

23 year old righty starter Luke Hochevar is the #1 prospect in the Royals system according to Baseball America but he’s off to a tough start this season.  In 10 starts this season in AA ball, Hochevar is 3-5 with a 5.47 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP so far.  In 52.2 innings, he has allowed 63 hits, 7 homers and he’s walked 17 batters.  He has whiffed 57 batters so far this season, so the stuff is there….he’s just needs to execute a little better.  Look for the Royals to take their time in bringing up Hochevar because they can’t afford to hurt his confidence.

Maybe the Royals should let Zach Greinke take Odalis Perez’ spot in the rotation.  He’s been awful ever since he has gotten to K.C.!  In 10 starts this season, Perez is 2-4 with a 5.20 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.   Perez has thrown 53.2 innings and he’s allowed 63 hits, walked 15 batters and whiffed 26.  Batting practice is supposed to be over 1/2 an hour before the game, but when Perez is pitching it starts when he throws his first pitch off of the mound.