Royals lefty Kris Bubic to have Tommy John surgery

Updated Apr. 21, 2023 8:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic will have Tommy John surgery next week, the team announced Friday.

Bubic experienced forearm tightness last weekend during his start against Atlanta, and further examination revealed he needed major surgery. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure in Los Angeles.

Bubic went 0-2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts for the Royals this season, his fourth in the major leagues. The Bay Area native and Stanford product went 3-13 last year in his first full season in Kansas City's starting rotation, and he has one victory in his last 15 starts combined.

But Bubic made major changes to his approach in the offseason and entered this year with increased velocity and a new slider. He had 13 strikeouts and just one walk in his first two starts this season before his final start on a cold, rainy day in Kansas City.

The Royals used right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke as an opener Friday night to fill Bubic's spot in the rotation when they opened a weekend road series against the Los Angeles Angels. Kansas City has lost six straight and nine of 10.

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