Royals place Jason Vargas on 15-day disabled list with UCL tear

The Royals placed pitcher Jason Vargas on the 15-day disabled list with a UCL tear in his elbow.

The Kansas City Royals have placed starting pitcher Jason Vargas on the 15-day DL with a UCL tear in his left elbow. 

Vargas was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday before his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which he left in the second inning after experiencing medial elbow pain in his throwing arm. It was Vargas's first start since June 8 after missing time with a flexor strain in his left elbow. 

To make room for Vargas on the roster, the Royals recalled Opening Day starter Yordano Ventura one day after he was demoted to Triple A.

UCL tears often require Tommy John surgery for a full recovery. This is the third time this season that Vargas has gone on the DL with a left elbow injury.

Vargas, 32, signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Royals before the 2014 season. In nine starts this year, he is 5–2 with a 3.98 ERA. 

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- Rohan Nadkarni