Royals' Collins to undergo MRI on elbow

Kansas City Royals reliever Tim Collins is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday after leaving the team's spring training opener with tightness in his left elbow.

Collins said he first experienced tightness after throwing a curveball in the fifth inning, but pitched to four more hitters before exiting with elbow soreness.

"I just didn't want to take it any further," Collins told reporters after Wednesday's 13-2 win over the Texas Rangers. "It's early in spring."

Royals manager Ned Yost said an initial diagnosis revealed soreness on the inner portion of Collins' left elbow.

"We don't even know what it is yet," Yost said. "So we'll re-evaluate it (Thursday). And when we get a better idea what it is, then we’ll set a protocol. But right now, we don’t have any idea what it is."

Collins was limited to just 22 appearances in 2014 after suffering a flexor strain and bouts of back spasms. He'll make $1.475 million this season, his final year before arbitration.