What It Means:

Holland managed to pitch over a year with damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, but he saw his velocity and results decline this season and has finally decided to go under the knife. He'll almost surely be sidelined until the 2017 season. Holland is arbitration-eligible for a final time this winter, so there would seem to be a good chance he's thrown his last pitch as a Royal.

Holland struck out just 9.87 hitters per nine innings this season, down from 12.99 a year ago. Wade Davis has assumed closer duties for the Royals.