Kansas City Royals: Mike Minor Rehab Update
By Charles Lam
The Kansas City Royals could welcome in another left-handed starting pitcher to the rotation soon. Mike Minor is rehabbing in Omaha and seems to be holding up.
The Kansas City Royals acquired Mike Minor after the Atlanta Braves non-tendered the 28-year-old due to injury history. The Royals signed Minor to a two-year deal worth $7.25 million with a $10 million mutual option for the 2018 season. Minor signed the deal in the middle of February.
Since then, the lefty has dealt with his fair share of injury troubles for the Kansas City Royals this season. Minor went on a rehab assignment in May at Triple-A Omaha. He felt discomfort in his rotator cuff during a start and got shut down in late May.
Minor’s started six games for the Storm Chasers this season with various degrees of success. His first three games were horrible. He gave up 15 combined runs in 14 2/3 innings pitched.
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The last three games have been better. He’s allowed one run in ten innings during this last three starts combined. Minor’s being stretched out to see what he’s got as a starting pitcher this season and beyond.
In his last start, he tossed 77 pitches through 4 1/3 innings. He allowed one run off of three hits, walked three and struck out four batters. Not the best line but much better than earlier in the season.
Mike Minor out after 4.1 frames. His final line: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO. He threw 77 pitches (49 strikes). Sky Sox lead 1-0
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) August 7, 2016
The signs are there that he might be ready soon. The Kansas City Royals could use his help. The fifth starter position in the KC Royals rotation has been a black hole for the team in 2016. The spot has seen Chris Young and most recently, Dillon Gee, in the role.
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Both Young and Gee have under performed for the Kansas City Royals this season. Chris Young gave up a team high 26 home runs in 56 innings pitched as a starter. In eight games started, Dillon Gee posted an earned run average over six (6.08) for the defending World Series Champions.
The Kansas City Royals wouldn’t mind having another left-handed starter in the rotation either. The Royals only left-handed starter is ace, Danny Duffy. If the team can plug-in Mike Minor as the fifth starter, that will give the Royals coaching staff another option to mix and match against opposing teams that don’t hit lefties well.
The KC Royals are once again skipping the fifth spot in the rotation due to the off day on Monday. Danny Duffy will pitch Thursdays game against the White Sox instead of the fifth starter.
Danny Duffy, who is starting tonight, is listed as the Royals' starter on Thursday. Looks like they're skipping Gee with off-day Monday.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 6, 2016
Hopefully Minor’s rehab continues to go well and he’ll be called up soon. He can’t be any worse than Young or Gee and he gives the team another left-handed starter.
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The Kansas City Royals start a three game series against the Chicago White Sox tonight.