Vargas (elbow) will throw a simulated game Saturday, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports.

EDGE Analysis

He's still a long ways away from returning, Dodd notes, but the Royals will undoubtedly be able to make use of Vargas once he's ready, as they are extremely thin in the rotation as the All-Star break approaches.

Vargas (elbow) threw Wednesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas has been on the sideline since undergoing Tommy John surgery last July, but the throwing session marks a big first step in his recovery. The lefty still faces a tall task if he hopes to return before the end of the 2016 season, but he figures to begin gradually ramping up baseball activities in the coming weeks.

Vargas (elbow) was placed on the 60-day DL on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

This was merely a procedural move to free up a 40-man spot for Mike Minor, who inked a two-year deal with Kansas City. Vargas is slated to miss most, if not all, of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the second half of last season.

Vargas (elbow) was moved to the 60-day DL Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was going to miss the rest of the regular season anyway due to a torn UCL, so this move is merely procedural. The team needed a few extra spots on the 40-man roster for September callups, so it was only a matter of time before this happened.

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.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Jason Vargas will be activated from the disabled list to start Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after recovering from a hip injury, according to the Kansas City Star. Vargas has not pitched in the major leagues since June 8 but was able to throw 75 pitches in a minor league rehab start Monday.

Vargas (hip) gave up two runs over 5.1 innings in Monday's rehab start for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Matthew DeFranks of FOX Sports Kansas City reports. Vargas gave up two hits (both home runs) and two walks, with two strikeouts on 75 pitches. He previously wasn't expected to make a rehab start, but the Royals apparently decided to take advantage of the All-Star break. Although it's unclear if Vargas will have another rehab outing, he should be back in the Kansas City rotation at some point in July, either way.

Vargas (hip) is unlikely to require a rehab start, 810WHB.com reports. Vargas threw a simulated game Thursday and is scheduled for another Tuesday. His next step may be a return to the Royals, although it's still quite possible he won't be back until after the All-Star break.

Vargas (hip) will throw a simulated game Thursday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. Vargas landed on the disabled list earlier in June with a left hip flexor strain, but has progressed to throwing in a sim game next week. Provided that he gets through that outing without any setbacks, a rehab assignment should be on the horizon.

Vargas was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday with a left flexor strain. Vargas had been pitching fairly well of late, tossing six scoreless innings and getting the win in his last outing against Minnesota. It is not clear how long Vargas will be out, but he will miss at least a few turns in the rotation. Brandon Finnegan was recalled from Triple-A to add bullpen depth in the short term and Joe Blanton will take his rotation spot.