This story was featured in Issue 3.2 of Royals Baseball Insider and is available for free to all fans who attend any game during the homestand from June 19–25.
With a baseball gripped in his left hand, Mike Minor hurled his arm toward home plate. He grimaced. Another pitch. More pain. The ball was coming out slow and he couldn’t hit his targets.
It was Minor’s second live batting practice session in the spring of 2015. He stood on the mound at the Braves’ complex in Kissimmee, Fla., terrified of what he felt.
“My left arm was shaking,” Minor said.