Royals closer Greg Holland (elbow injury) out for rest of season

Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland will miss the remainder of the season due to his lingering elbow injury.

Royals closer Greg Holland will miss the remainder of the season, the team announced on Thursday.

Holland has been dealing with a right elbow injury for much of the season and manager Ned Yost said on Thursday Holland has a “significant” tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that typically requires Tommy John surgery.

The team announced the severity of Holland’s injury would be determined next week when he is examined in Los Angeles. Holland later said an MRI of his elbow taken earlier this month showed ligament damage.

Kansas City replaced Holland at closer with Wade Davis earlier this week, saying Holland would be shut down for a few days with tightness in his elbow.

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Over 48 appearances this season, Holland is 3–2 with a 3.83 ERA and 32 saves in 37 save opportunities over 44 2/3 innings.

Holland told the training staff he did not want to undergo an MRI last year despite his discomfort. He wanted to pitch through it.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 24, 2015

Yost thinks Holland likely tore ligament last August. So Holland pitched all October & saved 32 games in '14 w/ a damaged arm. Impressive.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 24, 2015

The Royals asked Greg Holland, on multiple occasions this year, to get his elbow checked out. Holland always said no, until last month.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 24, 2015

Holland was an All-Star in each of the previous two seasons, playing a critical role for the Royals as they reached the World Series in 2014 for the first time—and their first postseason appearance—since 1985.

Kansas City’s bullpen leads the American League with a 2.69 ERA. The Royals entered Thursday 88–63, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Blue Jays for the AL’s best record.

- Mike Fiammetta