Zimmer returns to the mound with Legends

Kyle Zimmer was nervous before taking the mound Friday night. One can hardly blame him. It's been a long, difficult road back to that mound.

In his first appearance since shoulder surgery ended his 2014 season, the Royals' No. 3 prospect allowed one hit over 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as Class A Lexington rolled to a 10-3 win over Greenville at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. 

"I was a little anxious," said Zimmer, who issued two walks and recorded one strikeout. "It was the first time in a while getting out under the lights and competing."

Zimmer, who has yet to complete a professional season due to a host of injuries, lost most of last season to shoulder trouble. The 23 year-old right-hander was set to return to Double-A Northwest Arkansas earlier this month but experienced a setback in the form of soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. So the road back went through Lexington, where Zimmer said the Royals plan to keep him for a week or two. For his part, the University of San Francisco product is taking things day by day.

"It's been a long road and I've had a lot of time to reflect on it," Zimmer said. "You can waste all the time in the world feeling sorry for yourself, but you just have to realize nothing's given to you. You have to earn what you get.

"Injuries humble you quickly, but you come out of it on the other end mentally stronger."

While Friday's outing wasn't perfect, MLB.com's No. 53 overall prospect showed flashes of the potential that prompted the Royals to select him with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft. Zimmer got Red Sox top prospect Yoan Moncada to ground out to third base to start a 1-2-3 sixth inning.

The California native ran into trouble in the seventh. He surrendered a single and two walks before he was replaced Jake Newberry, who struck out Nick Longhi to leave the bases loaded.

"I'm not really worried about results right now," Zimmer said, "moreso just feeling good and executing my pitches. I overthrew a bit in the second inning today, but overall, I was happy with [my performance]."

Zimmer still possesses a high ceiling as a Major League pitcher if he can stay healthy. But he said he doesn't feel any pressure because of his ranking.

"I try not to read into that stuff," he added. "I never lost confidence in my abilities and what I can do. I'm feeling good right now. I'm feeling mentally healthy, which is just as important. I feel like I can compete and get outs at any level, no matter where I am."

Newberry did not allow a baserunner and struck out four over the final 2 1/3 innings en route to his second save of the season.