The Royals haven't had many bright spots this season, especially from a starting pitching staff that entered Wednesday night with a 5.07 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Yet Felipe Paulino served as a huge bright spot. So, naturally, he suffered a strained right groin (Royals Report on Twitter) in the first inning Wednesday night and had to leave the game.

Paulino, 28, entered the game 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. The Royals were 4-2 in his six starts. He's only made six starts because he also missed a month with a forearm strain.

The good news for the Royals is they had thrown three shutouts in the previous five games. But they may have just lost their best starter of 2012 to another DL stint.

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