In his final exhibition tuneup, Luis Mendoza allowed three runs -- zero earned -- on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 2 2/3 innings against the Padres. All three runs he gave up in the second inning scored as a result of his own throwing error, so we won't totally let him off the hook. But, it's hard to ignore how good Mendoza was this spring, posting a 0.47 ERA and 21/6 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings. He was also superb in two late-season starts for the Royals. We're still skeptical of the 28-year-old journeyman, but perhaps he'll be able to hold his own in favorable matchups.

Luis Mendoza reported improvement Thursday in his bruised left hamstring. Mendoza suffered the injury Wednesday when he was struck by a batted ball. It's not clear when he'll return to game action. The 28-year-old right-hander has an 0.77 ERA and 12/1 K/BB ratio over 11 1/3 innings this spring.

Luis Mendoza suffered a bruised left hamstring Wednesday when he was struck by a comebacker. The Royals aren't concerned that the injury will force Mendoza off his current throwing schedule. The 28-year-old right-hander entered Wednesday's Cactus League game with a cool 0.84 spring ERA.

Luis Mendoza started and pitched two scoreless innings Sunday as the Royals topped the Rangers 6-1. Mendoza, Vin Mazzaro, Sean O'Sullivan and Nathan Adcock all pitched two innings in the game, with only O'Sullivan allowing a run. Last spring, all four of those guys were legitimate candidates to make the Royals. This time around, none seems likely to have a spot. Mendoza's sinker remains kind of intriguing, but he's no higher than seventh on the starting pitching depth chart.

According to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel, Luis Mendoza is a "prominent candidate" for the Royals' 2012 rotation. Mendoza, who turns 28 at the end of this month, allowed only two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings for the Royals over the final two weeks of the regular season. He was also highly effective throughout the year at Triple-A Omaha. There's a chance the journeyman right-hander will be exposed once made an everyday major-league starter, but Kansas City may as well give him a try.

Luis Mendoza was fantastic again Sunday, limiting the White Sox to just one run on five hits and two walks over 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 win. He struck out four. Mendoza had designs on a shutout, but he was KO'd in the eighth inning after allowing an Alexei Ramirez single. He gave way to Greg Holland, who allowed an inherited runner to score but then got out of it. Mendoza permitted just one run in each of his two starts with the Royals to give him some momentum going into the offseason. The reality, though, is that he's a 28-year-old journeyman that will be a longshot for a roster spot next spring.

Luis Mendoza allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings in Tuesday's win over the Tigers. Mendoza, who took Luke Hochevar's place in the starting rotation, scattered six hits while walking three, striking out three and hitting a batter. He has routinely struggled to put away batters during his career, despite the solid performance tonight and a superficially successful season in the minors, so he shouldn't be trusted in fantasy leagues.

Royals purchased the contract of RHP Luis Mendoza from Triple-A Omaha. As expected, Mendoza will take over Luke Hochevar's spot in the Royals' rotation next week. The 27-year-old right-hander registered a superb 2.18 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 144 1/3 innings this season at the Triple-A Level.

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.