Yordano Ventura was a phenom for the Royals last season, lighting up radar guns and starring in October at age 23. He was the Opening Day starter this year after signing a long-term contract extension worth at least $23 million.
And now he’s headed back to the minors.
Kansas City demoted Ventura to Triple-A after he failed to make it out of the fifth inning Monday against the Pirates.
Ventura struggled in back-to-back June starts before going on the disabled list with an irritated nerve in his pitching hand and has allowed nine runs in nine innings since returning.