AL Central: Matt Strahm sustained patellar tendon tear

Royals pitcher Matt Strahm has been diagnosed with a patellar tendon tear. The lefty exited the first game of the Royals / Twins doubleheader on Saturday after pitching just one inning. While he’s on the 10-day DL for now, the timetable for Strahm’s return is foreseeably longer. Yankees rookie Dustin Fowler ruptured his patellar tendon his his first career game ever last week, with a recovery time of 7-8 months. Even without surgery, there’s still an extended recovery period. Strahm will seek a second opinion.

The knee injury could explain the 25-year old’s lacking stats this season, pitching a 5.45 ERA this year in 34.2 innings of work.

Right handed pitcher Miguel Almonte has been called up from Triple-A Omaha to take his place.

Here’s what else is goin’ down in the American League Central:

• Miguel Sano and Ervin Santana will represent the Twins at the 2017 All-Star Game.
• Jose Ramirez has been voted as the American League’s starting third baseman for the All-Star Game.
• The Detroit Tigers agree to terms with Venezuelan shortstop, Alvaro Gonzalez.
• White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon’s return is encouraging.
• Byron Buxton is the second fastest player in MLB. Yet it appears the young center fielder has met his match on the base path. It’s stealing third base.
• Watch Nate Karns cram 51 pieces of gum in his mouth because it’s Monday and same.
• Bradley Zimmer is among MLB’s fastest players.
• The Detroit Tigers should sign Bartolo Colon. This isn’t a hot take because literally all 30 MLB would be blessed to have Bartolo on their lineup card.
• It’s not a shocker that the Twins still need starting pitching. The real shocker is that they could potential end up with one of these seven starters.
• The Royals designate Seth Maness for assignment.
• Hot take alert: Stop calling Jose Ramirez a utility player.
• Michael Fulmer debuted a fifth pitch last Thursday and guess what, it’s a curveball. Betcha didn’t see that one coming.