UCL epidemic continues for Royals, as now Paulino is headed for Tommy John surgery

The Royals thought Friday would be a good day, as catcher Salvador Perez would finally be activated from the disabled list. But the Perez announcement came packaged with more bad news, as pitcher Felipe Paulino has become the latest Royals pitcher to be diagnosed with a torn UCL.

The Royals thought Friday would be a good day, as catcher Salvador Perez would finally be activated from the disabled list.

But the Perez announcement came packaged with more bad news, as pitcher Felipe Paulino has become the latest Royals pitcher to be diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Paulino plans to get a second opinion, but a torn UCL normally means a pitcher is headed for Tommy John surgery.

Paulino would be the fourth Royals pitcher to have Tommy John surgery this year, joining Joakim Soria, Danny Duffy and Blake Wood.

Paulino, already on the disabled list with a groin strain, made a rehabilitation start Wednesday night for the Royals' Double-A Northwest Arkansas team. Paulino was 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in seven major-league starts this season.

Perez, one of the best young catchers in the game, had surgery on his left knee in spring training.