No one wants to see a player get injured, especially when that injury is likely to be severe. That was the case last night, as Jason Vargas left his outing with the Kansas City Royals after 1.1 innings with pain on the medial side of his elbow. Considering that this is the third elbow injury Vargas has had this season, and the medial side is where the UCL is located, this is not promising.
As the Royals had optioned Yordano Ventura back to Omaha yesterday, there is now a spot open in the rotation. In theory, the Royals could look to Joe Blanton or Yohan Pino, but neither are exactly going to instill confidence on a team that has World Series aspirations. If Vargas is out for an extended period of time, as may be the case, the Royals need a better option. It may be time for John Lamb to stay in Kansas City.
Yes, Lamb had been up in the majors earlier this season, serving as the 26th man on Friday due to a doubleheader. However, he never appeared in the game, and was sent back to Omaha immediately thereafter. Now, with the probable opening in the Royals rotation, it may be time to give Lamb his chance.
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It would certainly be a great story to see John Lamb starting for the Kansas City Royals. He had been a top pitching prospect for the Kansas City Royals before Tommy John surgery cost him most of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. When he came back, Lamb had lost the velocity on his fastball and no longer appeared to be that same pitcher. It was fair to wonder if he would ever regain his ability, or if Lamb would simply go down as another injury plagued bust in the Royals system.
This year, after two difficult seasons, the Royals are starting to see the Lamb they expected. After showing signs of progress last season, Lamb has dominated at the AAA level, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.177 WHiP. Lamb has cut his walk rate down to his previous levels, as he has walked just 28 batters in 88.1 innings while recording 93 strikeouts. Now, at age 24, the Royals are getting the pitcher they felt they had before his injuries.
A promotion to the majors, and a chance to start for the Royals, would be an excellent way to cap off his progress. It had seemed as though Lamb’s career could be over before it truly had a chance to begin, and now, after the hard work and dedication, he appears to be back.
After an injury almost ended John Lamb’s Kansas City Royals career before it had a chance to take off, another injury could give Lamb a chance at the major league level. It is time for the Royals to give Lamb a look.