SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Royals right-hander Felipe Paulino will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow.
Kansas City announced the move Wednesday.
Paulino was competing for a rotation spot, but has been erratic in spring training. He’d allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in 9 2-3 innings in his last three appearances.
He went 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 games after the Royals acquired him from Colorado.
With Paulino out, left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Luis Mendoza, who is 4-0 with a 0.54 ERA this spring, will fill the final two slots in the rotation.
The Royals will likely start the season with five players on the disabled list, including closer Joakim Soria and catcher Salvador Perez.
