Royals closer Greg Holland, who was shut down last week with what the team said is a "significant" ligament tear in his elbow, will undergo Tommy John surgery Friday, MLB.com reported.
Despite pitching through elbow discomfort since late last season, the right-hander, 29, had 32 saves in 2015 despite a 3.83 ERA, more than a run higher than his career ERA (2.42).
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A drop in velocity, related to the soreness, led to ineffectiveness (five blown save opportunities) that became a media talking point in KC.
By contrast, Wade Davis, who is now the sole closer, has a 0.97 ERA to go with 14 saves for the defending AL champions, who enter Wednesday's games 1 1/2 back of the Blue Jays for the best record in the AL.