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KC@TOR: Hochevar tweaks his ankle in the fifth inning

It'll be two years ago on Saturday that Jake Peavy underwent surgery to reattach his right latissimus dorsi tendon to the bone. While the procedure was very rare, Peavy has bounced back and is enjoying an All-Star year.

He'll start against the Royals, who will be looking to even the series against the White Sox.

"For it to play out about as good as we can ask for, I feel fortunate and blessed," Peavy said. "I guess it's neat to a certain extent that I'm pitching down to the day two years later. It will be a whole lot more meaningful if we win."

Peavy will be making his 10th career start against Kansas City, and his fourth at Kauffman Stadium. He's 4-4 with a 4.56 ERA lifetime against the Royals and is tied for first in the American League with 14 quality starts. Peavy is sixth in the league with a 2.85 ERA.

Right-hander Luke Hochevar will start for the Royals. Hochevar had one of his better outings of the season the last time he faced Chicago, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings on May 12 at U.S. Cellular Field.

In his career, Hochevar is 4-4 against the White Sox with a 3.95 ERA while striking out 32 and walking 22 in 11 games (10 starts). He owns a 5.14 ERA this season, but is 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA over his last four outings.

Royals: Cain makes long-awaited return
Lorenzo Cain made his 2012 debut at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, going 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored while playing the whole game in center field against the White Sox. Cain last played on April 10, having been placed on the disabled list due to a pair of left leg injuries. He was activated during the All-Star break.

Royals manger Ned Yost said Cain will get the opportunity to play nearly every day.

White Sox: Danks hopes to pitch this season
Starter John Danks received treatment for his left-shoulder strain each day during the All-Star break and is able to work out with the White Sox. However, he did not throw over the break and is still unable to throw hard off a mound. Danks last appeared in a game for Chicago on May 15, and last pitched in a Minor League rehab assignment on June 14.

• Right-hander Jhan Marinez was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. Marinez is 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA in 26 games with Charlotte this year. His .182 opponents' average is third-lowest among relievers in the International League. He made his White Sox debut on Friday -- allowing two hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings.

Worth noting
• Current Royals hitters are batting .248 off Peavy. Billy Butler is 7-for-18 with a pair of homers against Peavy, while Jeff Francouer is 8-for-21.

• Hochevar has held Paul Konerko to a .208 lifetime average, while Alexei Ramirez is batting .421 off the Royals right-hander.

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