Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that Luis Mendoza has signed a two-year deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.

He'll make approximately $1 million per year, so it's easy to see why he made the move. Mendoza, 30, posted a 5.39 ERA over parts of seven seasons in the majors.

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.

Luis Mendoza delivered a strong outing in a no-decision against the Angels on Friday, allowing just one run on seven hits over his five frames.

Mendoza struggled with his command a bit, issuing four free passes while striking out two on the night. The only run against him came when Mike Trout scampered home on a wild pitch in the third inning. After a very rough start to the season, Mendoza has posted a 3.52 ERA over his last four outings. He'll look to get back in the win column when he squares off against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday.

Luis Mendoza allowed just two runs on eight hits over six innings in his start Sunday against the Athletics.

Mendoza earned his first win earlier this week, and has put together three straight quality starts. He would have been in line for his second win, but the Royals' bullpen gave up a home run to Yoenis Cespedes in the eighth inning that cost him the game. Mendoza has a 5.50 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) this season.

Luis Mendoza gave up five runs -- three earned -- over six innings in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

Mendoza wasn't helped by his defense in the fifth, as the Orioles plated three runs with the help of two Alcides Escobar errors. However, he also walked three, struck out just two and served up a home run. Now with a 6.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, Mendoza needs to improve in a hurry to avoid being booted from the rotation. He's scheduled to face the Angels next.

Luis Mendoza allowed six runs in four innings but took a no-decision as the Royals defeated the Rays on Wednesday.

Mendoza struggled out of the gate, giving up two solo home runs in the opening frame and allowing runs in each of the first four innings. The right-hander now owns a 7.00 ERA and can be ignored in basically all fantasy formats. He'll next face the Orioles on Tuesday.

Luis Mendoza was smoked for eight runs (seven earned) in 5 2/3 innings Friday in a loss to the Blue Jays.

If you took a chance on Mendoza after he struck out seven batters over six innings of one-run ball last week against the Phillies, chances are you were pretty disappointed by this one. The 29-year-old gave up seven hits and three walks in the loss and is strictly an AL-only option. The Royals have two off-days next week, so they plan to skip Mendoza in the rotation.

Luis Mendoza will have his next start skipped after taking his turn on Friday.

The Royals have three off-days in an eight-day period starting on Monday, so they'll take advantage and skip their No. 5 starter. Mendoza allowed one run over six innings in his lone start this season.

Luis Mendoza limited the Phillies to just one run on two hits but the Royals lost to the Phillies on Saturday.

Mendoza won the final spot in the Royals rotation this spring and seemed to prove the Royals made the right choice with his outing Saturday. The 29-year old walked three batters and struck out seven in his six innings. He may have a tougher go in his next start Friday against the Blue Jays.

Luis Mendoza allowed six runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings in the Royals loss to the Brewers.

The outing raised Mendoza's spring ERA to a still-pristine 2.70, so it was just a small bump in the road for the 29-year-old. Mendoza was recently assured of the fifth spot in the Royals rotation. He's not someone to get too excited about, but he offers some upside late in AL-only leagues.

Luis Mendoza has been awarded the fifth spot in the Royals' rotation.

Mendoza got the nod over veteran left-hander Bruce Chen, who will head to the bullpen. It's the right move, as the 29-year-old right-hander offers more upside at this point. He had a 4.23 ERA and 104/59 K/BB ratio in 166 innings over 25 starts and five relief appearances last season. The Royals figure to have better options later this summer, but he's worth owning in AL-only leagues for the time being.