Appier exits early with elbow pain

[WebHamster]

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Kansas City Royals pitcher Kevin Appier left Friday's 7-5 loss to Minnesota with discomfort in his right elbow.

Appier, who underwent surgery last September for a torn flexor tendon in the elbow, faced just four batters before leaving the game in the second inning. He retired the side in the first, but motioned to the dugout after allowing a double to Corey Koskie to start the second.

Southpaw Jimmy Gobble came out of the bullpen to pitch six shutout innings before the rest of the pen blew a 5-1 lead.

The 36-year-old Appier was making just his second start of the year. In his season debut, the righty was tagged for seven runs -- five earned -- in only three innings of work.