SURPRISE, Ariz. — Bruce Chen and Luke Hochevar are competing for the final spot in the Royals’ rotation. The loser might not be with the organization for too long.
A multitude of scouts watched the pair each throw three sharp innings in an 8-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday remain undefeated.
The Royals are listening to trade offers for both.
Chen allowed one run on two hits and walked none. Hochevar pitched three scoreless innings, but yielded three hits and walked one. He finished strong, striking out the final three batters.
“Even though we are fighting for a fifth spot in spring training, I think it is an all-year battle for the fifth spot,” Chen said. “You can win it, but then you can lose it in a matter of two months. In reality, whoever wins it, wins it, but it is going like to be an audition every time that person goes out.”
Chen will make $4.5 million this year, while Hochevar will earn $4.56 million.
Nationals 7, Astros 1: Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless inning of relief in his debut with Washington and the Nationals beat the Houston Astros 7-1 Tuesday.
Soriano signed a two-year, $28 million contract in January to become the Nationals new closer. The right-hander faced three batters in the seventh and struck out one.
Houston’s J.D. Martinez reached base against Soriano, but pinch-runner Brandon Barnes was thrown out trying to steal.
Danny Espinosa had two hits and two RBIs for Washington. Chad Tracy also drove in two runs.
Dan Haren gave up a run in three innings in his second spring start.
Braves 2, Yankees 0: Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla says he is fine after getting hit by a pitch in the back of the neck during the sixth inning of the Braves’ 2-0 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Uggla left the game after being struck by minor leaguer Branden Pinder’s pitch.
“There’s a little sensation,” Uggla said. “I’m good. Luckily, I never went black or anything like that. I feel fine.”
Ichiro Suzuki doubled for the Yankees in his first game since being involved in a vehicle accident.
Suzuki was not injured in the crash that totaled his SUV a few miles from Steinbrenner Field after last Saturday’s game with Detroit.
Padres 7, Dogers 3: Clayton Kershaw gave up four runs and seven hits in three-plus innings, his third straight sub-par outing of the spring, and the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 7-3 to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
Kershaw has given up nine runs on 17 hits in eight innings.
Dodgers reliever Shawn Tolleson appeared to injure his right leg in the eighth inning and was immediately removed from the game. He was 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 37 2-3 innings last year.
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
