Royals righthander Kyle Zimmer, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, had surgery yesterday to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, the team announced today.

The Royals said Zimmer, 20, is expected to recover in 6-8 weeks and that the "procedure on Zimmer was anticipated based on physical exam during the draft process."

Zimmer, who signed for $3 million, had made nine starts in pro ball between the Rookie-level Arizona League and the low Class A Midwest League, posting a 2.04 ERA in 39 2/3 innings with 29 strikeouts and eight walks between the two stops.