Jason Vargas has torn UCL, Tommy John surgery likely

Jason Vargas had an MRI today after he left last night's outing in the second inning and the result was a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the injury most associated with Tommy John surgery. Typically for Tommy John surgery, a pitcher will miss 12-15 months, meaning Vargas is definitely out for all of this season and will likely miss most or all of 2016.  The 32-year old left-hander had been out since June 8 with an flexor tendon strain, but returned last night after a rehab stint with AA Northwest Arkansas. For the year, Vargas had a 3.98 ERA in nine starts.

The 32-year old left-hander was 11-10 with a 3.71 ERA and 2.2 fWAR in his first season for the Royals in 2014. He signed a four-year $32 million contract before the 2014 season that will run through 2017.

EDIT:

Yordano Ventura will rejoin the Royals. He takes Jason Vargas' roster spot. So that was quick.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 22, 2015