KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals pitcher Felipe Paulino has a torn ligament in his right elbow, tempering the positive news that catcher Salvador Perez is finally coming off the disabled list.
The Royals announced in a statement Friday that team doctors diagnosed Paulino with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which usually requires season-ending reconstructive surgery. Paulino will get a second opinion from Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Paulino had been Kansas City’s best starter, going 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in seven starts. He had been on the DL since June 9 because of a strained groin, and the elbow injury was discovered after he pitched three innings in a rehab start Wednesday night.
Royals starter Danny Duffy, reliever Blake Wood and closer Joakim Soria have already needed Tommy John surgery this season.
