Mike Minor shut down for the year

The Royals have shut down left-handed pitcher Mike Minor for the remainder of the season, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. Minor was attempting to come back from a labrum injury that required surgery last year while he was with the Braves. The Royals had optimistically hoped he would be ready to contribute in June, but setbacks in his rehab from shoulder inflammation have prevented him from pitching at the Major League level this year.

The Royals signed Minor to a two-year, $7.25 million contract last winter. He will earn a guaranteed $2 million this season, and $4 million next season, with a $10 million mutual  option for 2018 that has a $1.25 million buyout. He also has up to $4 million in incentives in his deal.

The 28-year old Minor has spent five years in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves, winning 38 games with a 4.10 career ERA. He was a 3.1 rWAR pitcher in 2013, but has not pitched in a big league game since September of 2014.

Left-hander Jason Vargas continues his rehab for AAA Omaha. Vargas underwent Tommy John surgery last year to repair a torn UCL and is expected to join the Royals in September. Reliever Wade Davis also began a rehab assignment with the Royals' Arizona Summer League team. Davis has been out since late July with a flexor strain.