Ventura scratched from PCL playoffs start

KANSAS CITY -- Top Royals pitching prospect Yordano Ventura was pulled from his starting assignment for Triple-A Omaha in the Pacific Coast League playoffs for "undisclosed team violations."

Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo said that Ventura was scratched as the starter in Wednesday night's opener at Oklahoma City and wouldn't pitch in the second game either.

"He's not going to pitch [Thursday night] but we'll figure it out over time," Picollo said. "Right now, he's not going to pitch and we'll figure out when he will, and if he will."

Ventura is Kansas City's No. 2 prospect, according to MLB.com, behind another right-hander, Kyle Zimmer. Ventura had a 5-4 record and 3.74 ERA in 15 games for Omaha after being promoted from Double-A Northwest Arkansas.