Journeyman RHP Luis Mendoza is the "leading candidate" to take the recently shut down Luke Hochevar's final two turns in the Royals rotation. Now 27, Mendoza posted a 2.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 81/54 K/BB ratio in 144 1/3 innings for Triple-A Omaha this season. The owner of a career 8.43 ERA in 84 1/3 big-league innings, Mendoza has no shot at pitching his way into the Royals' 2012 plans.