KC Royals: Mike Minor Still Hanging In Limbo

KC Royals pitcher Mike Minor is still hanging around Kansas City after suffering from rotator cuff fatigue during his rehab assignment in Omaha in late May. There’s not a set schedule for him to return to miinor-league action, or his return to Kansas City, according to CBSSports.com.

As of July 4, the 28-year-old Mike Minor still has not been sent out for a rehab assignment. Presumably, he’s still throwing and working out at Kauffman Stadium, just like he was when the Kansas City Star beat writer Rustin Dodd wrote about him on June 22.

At the time, Minor told Dodd:

"“They don’t tell me anything,” said Minor, sitting in the clubhouse at Citi Field on Wednesday. “I have to ask them. Whenever I ask them, it’s always like: ‘Let’s just see how you feel tomorrow.’ ”"

The KC Royals need to figure Mike Minor’s situation soon, with the trade deadline now looming less than one month away on August 1. The Kansas City Royals need more reliable starting pitching, and need to know if Mike Minor, or the rehabbing Kris Medlen, can reasonably be expected to provide it as they move into the second half of the season.

Whether KC Royals general manager Dayton Moore tries to add TWO starting pitchers at the trade deadline, or one, or none will heavily depend on the solutions he has in house. If, say, Yordano Ventura suddenly pitches like his did in his first two starts after his blow up against Manny Machado in Baltimore, then Moore could decide he only needs to replace Chris Young in the rotation. If Ventura doesn’t find himself between now and August 1, then Moore will need to find two starting pitchers.

Of course, the idea scenario is for Ventura to become “Ace” Ventura over the next four weeks, while a healthy Mike Minor lights up radar guns as he rebuilds his endurance before the trading deadline. Honestly, I’m not holding my breath. I think the Kansas City Royals will need to land at least one starting pitcher.

Last season, many KC Royals fans held out high hopes that Kris Medlen could provide a much needed boost to the rotation. Instead, he was a useful, but hardly dominant 6-2, 4.01 ERA down the stretch last season. In 2016, Medlen hasn’t been able to get going with 1-3, 7.77 ERA before hitting he disabled list with a strained forearm.

Recovering from Tommy John surgery is a process, and usually guys just aren’t fully recovered until pitching a full season when they return.

Next: Royals Interested In Rays Starter Matt Moore

The best recent news is that I believe that Danny Duffy can take over as staff ace, which is a good thing since starting pitching seems scarce as the deadline approaches. Even if Dayton Moore wanted to add a Johnny Cueto this season, I don’t think there’s anyone of that caliber will be available at the tail end of July.

But, make no mistake KC Royals fan, the rotation needs help. I fully expect Dayton Moore to make some kind of deal to address this situation.