KC Royals: Yordano Ventura Next Start Pushed Back Two Days

KC Royals manager Ned Yost announced Tuesday that starter Yordano Ventura will make his next start on Friday, two days later than his normal turn. Ventura left after the third inning of his start last Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals complaining about numbness in his fingers.

MRI testing showed fluid around Yordano Ventura’s ulnar nerve, and no tears in the dreaded ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that would force a “Tommy John” surgery.

Yost made this decision after Yordano Ventura successfully completed a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday. Yost said Ventura threw well and explained his decision to give his 24-year-old flamethrower extra rest to ESPN.com:

"“If you’ve got the opportunity to back him up two days, you just go ahead and do that,” Yost told reporters. “You don’t try to push it.“It’s just really what we’re doing is playing it safe, and not pushing it.”"

The scheduling change means that Ventura will make his next start against the Boston Red Sox next Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The Kansas City Royals are wise to be cautious with Yordano Ventura’s return. According to WebMD, irritation of the “funny bone” (ulnar nerve) is one of the main symptoms of a UCL injury. The patient will feel a tingling or numbness in the pinky and ring fingers.

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WebMD also indicates that imaging tests, including X-Rays and MRI’s, are not 100 percent accurate, complicating diagnosis of a UCL injury. In short, Yordano Ventura could have a UCL tear that is not visible on imaging tests.

When you add the above facts to Yordano Ventura’s loss of two mph off his fastball from 2014, and you have cause for injury concern.

Long reliever Joe Blanton will make Ventura’s regular start at home on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The KC Royals face a critical juncture of their season with injuries to Yordano Ventura and Jason Vargas. How well these two starters return from their arm issues will determine if general manager Dayton Moore needs to acquire pitching help as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

With the second Wild Card, most teams are still in playoff contention. The American League is especially tight. Only 11 games separate the team with the best record (Kansas CIty Royals) from the team with the worst record (Oakland).

With so many teams still having playoff hopes, it will be difficult for Moore to cut a deal well before the deadline because the few “sellers” will drive a hard bargain.

Let’s just hope Yordano Ventura is OK.

Next: KC Royals Facing Crossroads To 2015 Season

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