After starting last season with Omaha, Hochevar had a 6-12 record with a 5.51 ERA in 22 starts for Kansas City. He lost his final five decisions and did not pitch after Aug. 19 because of a fractured rib.

The Royals picked Hochevar in the 2006 draft ahead of Tim Lincecum, the 2008 National League Cy Young Award winner with the San Francisco Giants, and Evan Longoria, 2008 American League Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Kansas City signed Ponson to a minor-league contract on March 17 after he pitched well for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

Ponson is 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA in two starts for the Royals after giving up seven runs in five innings in a 7-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

Manager Trey Hillman said Hochevar "obviously was disappointed" about the demotion.

"But it gets us a little bit closer to how we're going to start, although we've got four or five days to figure that out," Hillman said.

Gil Meche, Zack Greinke and Kyle Davies are the top three starters, and Hillman said Ponson, Horacio Ramirez and Brian Bannister are "in the mix" for the final two slots.

Bannister was scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Wednesday, while Ramirez will start Thursday against Texas in the Royals' final exhibition game in Arizona.

Hillman said he wants to see Hochevar learn to "use both sides of the plate with more consistency" and to stay away from big innings.

Hochevar said he knew there had been big expectations from him as top draft pick, but added, "I hold myself to a higher standard than anyone else does or anyone else ever could. I also understand it is a process. I also understand that there is a learning curve to keep myself from being discouraged or from being down on myself.

"Last year winning six games is not acceptable in my eyes and shouldn't be in anybody's eyes," he said. "I feel like I should win more games than that and pitch more effectively than I did last year."