The Kansas City Royals organization will be without one of its top prospects for the rest of the year. It was announced on Tuesday that pitcher Kyle Zimmer will undergo surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Royals SP Prospect Kyle Zimmer to undergo Thoracic Outlet Syndrome “Procedure” (surgery) late July or early August. Full recovery expected.
— Soren Petro (@SorenPetro) July 19, 2016
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is not uncommon for starting pitchers. New York Mets starter Matt Harvey had his 2016 season ended when he decided to undergo the same procedure. Prior to Harvey, current Kansas City pitcher Chris Young had the same operation in 2013.
While an injury is never good news, Zimmer does have the most-ideal form of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Zimmer's type of TOS is neurogenic, the most common, and the quickest to recover from. #Royals
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 19, 2016
Zimmer has pitched sparingly for the Royals’ organization in 2016. Between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, he’s tossed only 5.2 innings over three appearances. In 2015, Zimmer posted a solid 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 48 innings.
Zimmer — who will be 25 in September — entered the season as Kansas City’s second-ranked prospect. The right hander has never pitched beyond Double-A. Zimmer was selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft.