Kansas City, Mo. ? All-Star closer Joakim Soria was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a shoulder injury, and the Kansas City Royals recalled right-hander Luke Hochevar from Triple-A Omaha.

Soria was second in the AL last year with 42 saves. He had a 1.60 earned-run average last season, to go along with a 66:19 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Soria has seven saves in seven chances this season and is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

Hampered by lingering soreness in his right shoulder, he’s appeared in only eight games.

The Royals said Sunday he was diagnosed with a strained right rotator cuff and they were uncertain when he might return.

In 2007, Soria’s first year with the Royals, he saved 17 games, while compiling a 2-3 record and a 2.48 ERA

Hochevar, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, was 5-0 with a 0.90 ERA at Omaha. The Royals said he will start Tuesday at Oakland in place of Sidney Ponson, who moves to the bullpen.

After his team’s 4-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said the Royals would close “by committee” until Soria returns. He went on the DL retroactive to May 8.