Royals’ Yordano Ventura not expected to miss next start after leaving ALCS game two because of shoulder tightness

Yordano Ventura hit 98 mph on the radar gun with his 91st pitch Saturday in game two of the American League Championship Series at Camden Yards.

But the 92nd pitch, against Baltimore’s Caleb Joseph, was his last. Ventura left the game with two outs in the sixth inning because of right shoulder tightness, according to the Royals. But Ventura, speaking through interpreter and teammate Jeremy Guthrie after the game, said he had confidence the trainers could get him ready for a potential game six. Royals manager Ned Yost also said he doesn’t expect Ventura to miss his next start.

He appeared to grimace after making his final pitch, and after a brief meeting with trainer Nick Kenney, Ventura came off the mound and lefty Brandon Finnegan entered the game. Finnegan gave up a single to Joseph but got the next batter out.

The game was tied 4-4 after six innings before the Royals scored two in the ninth and won 6-4.

After the game, Ventura said he felt tired in his arm during his last three pitches, so he wanted the trainers to come out. He said he was not scheduled to have a MRI and felt good aside from tightness.

“A relief for me is that it was just tightness and feeling tired instead of soreness,” Ventura said through Guthrie.

Ventura missed a start in late August because of mid-back tightness.

This story was originally published October 11, 2014 at 6:01 PM with the headline "Royals’ Yordano Ventura not expected to miss next start after leaving ALCS game two because of shoulder tightness."