Royals reliever Luke Hochevar could be facing season-ending surgery.
The right-hander received a diagnosis revealing thoracic outlet syndrome that will require surgery, a source has told MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan. He will seek a second opinion. The club has not confirmed the news.
Hochevar, 32, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday after experiencing ongoing numbness in his pitching hand. He last pitched on Sunday against the Rangers.
In 40 outings this year, he is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA, his highest since moving to the bullpen three years ago.
Hochevar -- who was drafted by the Royals first overall in the 2006 Draft -- is in final season of a two-year contract, with a $7 million mutual option for 2017.