Kansas City Royals pitcher Jason Vargas was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after an MRI revealed a torn left ulnar collateral ligament, according to the team's official website. Vargas was activated from the disabled list after recovering from a hip injury, but he lasted just 26 pitches Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates before feeling pain in his elbow. He is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery to correct the new issue, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season, and possibly some of next season as well. Pitcher Yordano Ventura, who was demoted to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, was recalled to take Vargas' spot on the 25-man roster. Vargas, who is in his second season with the Royals, his fifth major league team, is 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 43 innings this season.