Royals say Ventura's shoulder is fine, likely won't miss a start

BALTIMORE --  The Royals might have dodged a huge bullet with a potential injury to rookie sensation Yordano Ventura.

Ventura had to leave the game with two outs in the sixth Saturday because of what was later diagnosed as shoulder tightness.

That, of course, sent a scare through Royals nation.

But all Royals parties -- including general manager Dayton Moore, manager Ned Yost and Ventura himself -- said the right-hander would be fine.

"Just a little tight there," Ventura said through interpreter and fellow pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.

The cold might have affected Ventura -- the wind chill Saturday afternoon was in the upper 40s here.

"It's tough to get loose," Moore said. "But I think it was just fatigue. He was throwing with everything he had today on every pitch.

"Every pitch is so important to these guys that it's kind of like one pitch really equals 1 1/2 pitches in your pitch count. He looked fatigued."

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Yost also said Ventura would be fine.

"He was smiling at the end of the game," Yost said. "I know that."

Ventura even indicated there would be no need for an MRI. And Moore and Yost agreed.

"I don't really think he'll miss a start," Yost said.

You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.