KC Royals: Tim Collins Has Tommy John Surgery

KC Royals reliever Tim Collins underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, ending his 2015 season. Kansas City Star reporter Andy McCullough tweeted the news early Thursday:

Tim Collins underwent Tommy John surgery yesterday. He is out for the season.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) March 12, 2015

The 25-year-old Collins pulled up lame in the Kansas City Royals first game on Wednesday, March 3 after pitching to only two hitters.

Many pundits had considered Collins a candidate to be the “bullpen lefty”, yet the four-year veteran has a career reverse platoon split (he’s better against right-hitters than left). Right handed batter slash .227/.328/.347 against Collins, while lefties hit .224/.341/.362.

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Tim Collins is the first domino to fall in the KC Royals bullpen elimination game. The remaining candidates are: Louis Coleman, Joe Blanton, Ryan Madson, Franklin Morales, Joe Paterson, Brian Flynn, Chris Dwyer, Buddy Baumann, and Brandon Finnegan.

Right now, the top six slots seem to be secured by Greg Holland, Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, Luke Hochevar, Jason Frasor, and Chris Young. Though Young only signed after camp began, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore told the Kansas City Star last week that he expects Young to make the team.

"“He will make the team out of spring training,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “Right now, if things go to script, our rotation is probably cemented with the main five guys, so his role at this point would be as a middle guy, a long guy.”"

That leaves one bullpen slot open for the remaining relievers in camp. The team has discussed fielding an eight-man bullpen if they believe rule 5 pick Jandel Gustave can perform well-enough to justify a major-league job.

Gustave’s early returns are a positive 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings pitched, however he only has one strikeout so far.

Of the remaining relievers, I have to think Franklin Morales has to be the front-runner to nail down the last available bullpen spot.

The 29-year-old Morales is a lefty veteran with eight years of experience. He also brings a fine .213/.296/.328 slash line against left-handed hitters along with starting experience.

Overall, Morales brings the best combination of versatility, LOOGY potential, and major-league track record among the remaining candidates.

While many think this will open the door for rookie Brandon Finnegan to open in Kansas City, I still believe the front office is committed to developing him as a starter in the minors this season.

That leaves four-year KC Royals veteran Louis Coleman out in the cold. The team is out of options on Coleman and could look to deal the right-hander before heading north to Kansas City.

Given the Kansas City Royals current bullpen depth, Tim Collins’ elbow injury might mean that last Wednesday’s spring game could have been his last performance in a KC uniform.

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