Report: Royals expect Kyle Zimmer to begin throwing program this week

The Kansas City Royals expect right-hander Kyle Zimmer to begin a throwing program this week, roughly three months after the oft-injured prospect underwent surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff, reported Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star.

Zimmer, the fifth-overall pick in the 2012 draft, underwent a small debridement procedure after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder during an outing in the Arizona Fall League in October.

Injuries have impeded Zimmer's development significantly in his three years as a professional, as the 6-foot-3 hurler logged just 4 2/3 innings last season due to a strained latissimus dorsi muscle. He was shut down for the last couple weeks of the 2013 campaign because of shoulder stiffness.