The last way the Kansas City Royals hoped to kick off their defense of the American League crown was with an injury to their ace, Yordano Ventura, who was forced to leave Opening Day with a thumb ailment.
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Ventura Leaves Monday's Game
Monday, April 6
CBS Sports MLB noted that Ventura left Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with an injury. Scott Merkin of MLB.com described the scene:
Fortunately for Kansas City and its worried fans, Andy McCullough of The Kansas City Star provided an update and said that it was only a thumb cramp.
Ventura commented on the injury, per Joel Goldberg of FSKC:
Ventura turned in an impressive 2014 campaign that included a 14-10 record with a 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 159 strikeouts. What’s more, he is only 23 years old and appears to have a very bright future ahead of him as the anchor of the Kansas City rotation.
That’s why this note from Jeff Rosen of The Kansas City Star came as no surprise:
The Royals still have one of the strongest bullpens in the league behind Greg Holland and Wade Davis, and they should be able to rely on it once again in 2015. A thumb cramp is certainly far less serious than fans initially feared, which is encouraging news, but it was on his throwing hand.
The other starters in the rotation, such as Danny Duffy and Edinson Volquez, may have to step up for the time being. The American League Central is loaded with contenders, including the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. It is difficult to envision Kansas City winning the division without a strong season from Ventura, so getting him fully healthy is more important than one or two starts in April.
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