Royals reliever James McArthur added to injured list with right elbow strain

The Kansas City Royals are down another relief pitcher. On Tuesday, the Royals placed right-handed reliever James McArthur on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain.

McArthur exited Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. In the seventh inning, he felt elbow discomfort while throwing a pitch. McArthur had further medical testing that revealed a Grade 1 ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain.

“I felt it on the last pitch I threw,” McArthur said. “Just a little tightness in the elbow there, enough to where I kind of shook my arm off, and I think Sal (Salvador Perez) saw that and the way I threw the pitch. He was concerned and kind of brought the trainers out. I told them what was going on.”

McArthur is the latest Royals reliever to hit the injury list. The club is without veteran pitchers Hunter Harvey, Will Smith and Chris Stratton. Both Harvey and Smith are dealing with back injuries and Stratton is nursing a right forearm flexor strain.

“We are going to shut him down probably five to seven days just depending on how he feels,” manager Matt Quatraro said of McArthur’s timeline. “We are very hopeful it’s not a season-ending injury.”

The Royals have reshuffled their bullpen with corresponding moves. Steven Cruz was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to join the relief unit. Meanwhile, KC is relying on Carlos Hernandez, Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV to step up down the stretch.

“They’re here to pitch,” Quatraro said. “I mean, they are not here to observe. If there is an opportunity for them to get in there and help us win, that’s why they are here.”

The Royals will continue to monitor their injury situation. Smith is expected to throw a live bullpen on Saturday.

McArthur produced a 5.63 ERA in his last 10 starts. He is hopeful to get healthy in preparation for a potential playoff run.

“I think it’s a small shutdown thing,” McArthur said. “Then, we will go day-to-day with how I’m feeling and throwing after that. The goal for me is just to be back, available and ready for October so we can go win the World Series.”