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KC Royals: The Mythical Mike Minor To Begin AAA Rehab

By John Viril

Sep 8, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) pitches during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) pitches during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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KC Royals pitcher Mike Minor will begin his rehab assignment at AAA Omaha on Thursday night. The Kansas City Royals had hoped he could return by June, but shoulder soreness put him on the shelf for almost seven weeks.

Mike Minor rumors have been giving KC Royals fans hope since the rotation melted down with injuries to Kris Medlen and Chris Young in May. Workout reports and early rehab assignment indicated his fastball sat in the mid 90’s, which gave hope that Minor would provide substantial help to the KC Royals hurting rotation by mid-season.

General manager Dayton Moore signed former Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor to a two-year, $7.25 million deal last winter knowing that he was unlikely to return before mid-season due to recovery from shoulder surgery. Minor had missed the entire 2015 season due to a torn labrum, but was a former top prospect in major-league baseball who had seemed to have realized his potential in 2013 when he posted an outstanding 13-9, .3.21 ERA season with a solid 8.0 K/9.

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old lefty suffered a setback in his rehab in June, developing a sore shoulder that required rest. Given Minor’s injury history, the Kansas City Royals front office has been understandably cautious with his recovery.

Since fans have been hearing about how Mike Minor could help out the rotation since early in the season, #Royals twitter has become a little sarcastic about him caused 610 AM reporter Josh Vernier to post:

Who knows, it’s even possible that we’ll see him in an actual KC Royals uniform with the next 10 days or so. Anything’s possible when you believe. Maybe we should ask for a blessing from Sung Woo Lee.

Next: Royals Report: Is Win Over Angels Too Little, Too Late?

With center-fielder Lorenzo Cain beginning his rehab assignment with AAA Omaha last night, the KC Royals could get what amounts to a major deadline boost just from getting back injured players. While the Kansas City Royals have not indicated a firm timeline for either player’s return to the big club, given the crying need for help I doubt they’re going to let grass grow under their feet.

Maybe, just maybe, the KC Royals could be at full strength come early August.

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