Royals lose reliever Tim Collins for season to Tommy John surgery
Royals left-hander Tim Collins underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and will miss the 2015 season, according to reports from the Kansas City Star and MLB.com.
Collins exited Kansas City's spring training opener March 4 after facing just four batters and an MRI later revealed ligament damage in his elbow. He was scheduled to seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday before going under the knife.
Collins figured to make the Opening Day roster as the Royals' lefty out of the bullpen, a year after splitting time between Kansas City and Triple-A Omaha. Collins appeared in 22 games for the Royals, producing a 3.86 ERA but also 4.7 walks per nine innings. He gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings in the playoffs last season.
Collins will make $1.475 million in 2015 and is arbitration-eligible for two more years. He could become a non-tender option after this season for the Royals, who will have to deal with climbing salaries for arbitration-eligible players such as Greg Holland, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Danny Duffy.
His absence opens up a spot in the Royals' bullpen, which could be filled by southpaws Brandon Finnegan, Franklin Morales, Brian Flynn or longshot Joe Paterson.
The Royals could send Finnegan to the minors to work as a starter this season, or could opt to have him join one of baseball's best bullpens. Morales spent last season with Colorado before signing a minor league contract with Kansas City in the offseason, while Flynn came over in the Aaron Crow trade.
Manager Ned Yost has also said he didn't need to have a left-hander in the bullpen, which could be beneficial for Louis Coleman or Rule 5 pick Jandel Gustave.
Recovery time after Tommy John surgery is typically 12 to 18 months. Royals pitchers Luke Hochevar and Kris Medlen are both recovering from the surgery and will return this season.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
