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KC Royals: Tim Collins Has Ligament Damage In Elbow

By John Viril

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KC Royals reliever Tim Collins‘ MRI on Thursday shows ligament damage to his left elbow, according to the Kansas City Star’s Randy Covitz:

Tim Collins left Wednesday’s spring training game after only pitching to two batters with tightness in his left elbow. Jandel Gustave replaced him, and went 1.1 innings without out allowing a hit and only one walk.

Notice, also, that Covitz says the Kansas City Royals are seeking a second opinion. If the second opinion confirms the diagnosis, Collins will need season-ending Tommy John surgery.

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The injury to the 25-year-old Collins has quickly shown the wisdom of Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore loading up on bullpen options this off-season. The KC Royals have a number of left relievers that could potentially prevent the team from resorting to rookie Brandon Finnegan, whom the team hopes to develop as a starter.

Veteran Franklin Morales, Joe Paterson, and minor-league arm Buddy Baumann are all now more likely to win a job with the KC Royals after this morning’s news about Collins.

Franklin Morales has to be the favorite to win a role as bullpen lefty as an 8-year major-league veteran. However, Morales struggled last season after the Colorado Rockies asked him to make 22 starts for the team, resulting in an unsightly 5.37 ERA in 2014.

Paterson and Baumann are more dark horses to win a job, but could make the trip North to Kansas City with strong showings in spring training. AAA starter Brian Flynn could also get a look as a major-league reliever.

If none of the above can give the KC Royals reliable lefty innings this season, the team could be forced to sign yet another bullpen arm, or use Brandon Finnegan in the pen.

While the team would like Finnegan to work as a starter in the minors this season, they can’t afford to bleed games when they harbor legitimate expectations of being a contender in 2014.

The injury is a significant setback for Collins after four mostly-solid seasons in the Kansas City Royals bullpen. Collins carries a career 3.54 ERA with an adjusted ERA (ERA+) of 117 (17% above league average).

Tim Collins came into camp looking to improve after a rough 2014. Collins posted his highest ERA in career at 3.86, and spent a long stint in the minors after elbow trouble early last season.

Consequently, Collins only appeared in 22 games in 2014 and lost the trust of manager Ned Yost late in the season. In large part, Collins’ unreliability led to Brandon Finnegan’s late-season call-up and his strong post-season showing.

Next: KC Royals Offense Needs A Cornerstone

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