Kansas City Royals Rewind: The Fans are Right

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Royals Health

It has been a rough season overall for the Kansas City Royals on the health front. Greg Holland, Alex Rios and Jason Vargas all missed time, and Vargas is back on the disabled list. Yordano Ventura had to leave his start after three innings because of an issue with his right hand. Danny Duffy is on a rehab assignment, but he also struggled before being shut down.

Even those players who have returned or are pushing through their injuries have struggled. Rios just has not been the same player, and instead of looking like the great signing he was after one week, is starting to be considered a bust. Infante needs to be shut down to have his elbow taken care of. Joe Blanton is in the starting rotation. Joe Blanton!!

Of all of these injuries, the timing of Vargas’ recurrence of his strained flexor tendon could not be worse. He pitched six shutout innings last week, allowing only five hits while striking out two batters. The Royals needed someone to step up in the rotation, and Vargas appeared set to do just that before his injury flared up once again.

The biggest key for the Kansas City Royals could end up being their health this year. After staying remarkably healthy last year, the Royals are seeing the opposite this season.

And not, on to the hot list!

Next: The potential savior of the rotation