Royals released RHP Luis Mendoza. This confirms a report that Mendoza will join the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. The 30-year-old posted an ugly 5.36 ERA and 54/43 K/BB ratio over 94 innings this past season.

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star confirms that the Nippon Ham Fighters have acquired Luis Mendoza. Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker was first on the news from Japan. Mendoza, 30, posted an ugly 5.36 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 54/43 K/BB ratio in 94 innings this past summer for Kansas City. He'll try to get his career back on track in Nippon Professional Baseball.

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, the Nippon Ham Fighters or Japan's Pacific League have an agreement in place to acquire Luis Mendoza. The 30-year-old right-hander is coming off a disappointing season in which he registered a 5.36 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 54/43 K/BB ratio over 94 innings between the rotation and the bullpen. It looks to be a good opportunity for him to get his career back on track.

Luis Mendoza has been demoted to the bullpen. Mendoza has been decent at times for the Royals this season, but he gets the boot after lasting a combined 5 2/3 innings over his last two outings. Bruce Chen will replace him in the rotation starting on Friday in Cleveland.

Luis Mendoza allowed four runs in four innings in a no-decision against the Indians on Tuesday. Mendoza wasn't sharp, allowing six hits and four walks in his four innings. He's been decent for the most part this season but has just a 2-4 record and 4.41 ERA to show for it. Mendoza will try to bounce back against the Athletics on Sunday.

Luis Mendoza allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Wednesday. Mendoza was pretty serviceable, as the right-hander allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six. He's now turned in quality starts in three of his last four outings, lowering his ERA to 4.16 in the process. He'll start again on Tuesday, as he faces the Indians.

Luis Mendoza yielded four runs on four hits and three walks over just five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Indians. Things turned sour in a hurry for Mendoza, who held the Tribe hitless through the first four frames. Michael Brantley took him deep to lead off the fifth, and Mendoza allowed the first five batters to reach in the sixth before getting yanked. Mendoza has mostly pitched well of late but still sports a 4.30 ERA and 1.45 WHIP for the season. He'll get the Braves at home next.

Luis Mendoza turned in a second consecutive strong outing in Friday's victory over the Rays, allowing just two runs on six hits over six innings of work. Mendoza fanned three and walked two in the game. While he had gone more than a month since his last victory, Mendoza has been pitching very well for the Royals. Over his last eight starts, he owns a terrific 2.93 ERA. He'll look to extend his recent string of successes when he does battle against the Indians in Cleveland on Wednesday.

Luis Mendoza allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss Tuesday, as the Royals fell to the Twins. Mendoza struggled to pitch efficiently and thus received an early hook, giving up seven hits and three walks in his 4 1/3 frames. The right-hander had been better in his previous starts but is still a fringy pitcher even in AL-only leagues. He could be a decent spot start candidate against the Astros on Sunday, though.

Luis Mendoza held the Cardinals to one run in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday but the Royals lost late. Mendoza did his part, keeping the Cards scoreless until Matt Holliday's solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. The right-hander struck out five and has now been decent in three straight outings. He's worth a try in AL-only fantasy leagues next week against the Twins.