Royals' pitcher Kelvin Herrera diagnosed with “slight” flexor strain
Kansas City Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera has been diagnosed with a "slight" flexor strain, reports the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullogh. Herrera will be unavailable for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Herrera sustained the injury during the Royals' win against the Angels in Game One of the ALDS on Thursday. He left in the seventh inning after facing just one batter.
Royals' manager Ned Yost said Herrera will be re-evaluated on Saturday, on the team's off day. “Herrera suffered some mild forearm stiffness, so we’re going to reevaluate it tomorrow,” Yost told the Kansas CityStar. “We didn’t want to take a chance tonight with the first game of the series. We didn’t want to damage it any further, so we’ll reevaluate it tomorrow and see where we’re at.”
TAYLOR: Moustakas carries Royals to victory
On Thursday, the Kansas City bullpen combined to pitch five shutout innings in relief of starter Jason Vargas. third baseman Mike Moustakas hit the game-winning home run in the top of the 11th for the Royals and closer Greg Holland recorded the save.
This season, Herrera had a 4-3 record with a 1.41 ERA and 59 strikeouts. He is in his fourth year with the Royals after signing with the team as an amateur free agent in 2006.
The Royals and Angels will play Game Two on Friday at 9:37 p.m. ET. This is Kansas City's first playoff appearance since 1985.
-- Alex Suskind
