Kansas City Royals replaced closer Greg Holland with Wade Davis due to velocity issues and elbow soreness on Holland's behalf. That elbow soreness will now sideline the right-hander for the season and rumors indicate he may undergo Tommy John surgery.
The Royals announced on Thursday that Holland will miss the rest of the 2015 MLB season and the severity of his elbow injury will be determined next week when he pays a visit to Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
#Royals announce that RHP Greg Holland will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
— Royals (@Royals) September 24, 2015
(Cont.) The severity of the injury will be determined next week when Holland is examined in Los Angeles. #Royals
— Royals (@Royals) September 24, 2015
Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star said "the prospect of Tommy John surgery looms over Holland" and then reported Royals' manager Ned Yost said Holland has a "significant" tear in his right UCL. It's not confirmed, but the most likely scenario in such a situation is reconstructive elbow surgery.
McCullough also noted Holland told the training staff last year that he did not want to undergo an MRI and instead opted to pitch through discomfort in his elbow. However, an MRI earlier this month revealed ligament damage to his elbow.
Rumors continued to perpetuate about Holland's health when Yost said yesterday that the right-hander "has no defined role" with the club and "probably" wouldn't be used if every other reliever were available in a given game.
This is a big hit to one of the best bullpens in the MLB, especially as the Royals head into the postseason with hopes of making another World Series run.
Holland was 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 32 saves and 49 strikeouts in 48 games (44 2/3 innings) before the injury.
The Royals (88-63) are the top seed in the American League right now with just 11 games left on their schedule.
