The Royals faced a bit of a scare yesterday when pitcher Cole Ragans left the game early. He’s being examined, but the team is hopeful it was just precautionary and he won’t land on the injured list.
Ragans pitched three innings and threw 58 pitches before feeling soreness in his triceps and elbow. He’s had two Tommy John surgeries in the past, which makes this situation a bit worrying. However, Ragans reassured fans, saying, “I know it’s not what I’ve been through before.” Manager Matt Quatraro was also optimistic about Ragans’ chances to pitch again soon.
Although Ragans has a 4.84 earned run average and a walk rate of 15.2% this season, the Royals value his talent highly. Last year, he placed fourth in the American League Cy Young voting with a stunning 3.14 ERA over 32 starts.
If Ragans does go on the injured list, the Royals have some backup options. Stephen Kolek, who recently returned from his own injury, could step in. He made a strong spot start against the Guardians, pitching six innings and allowing three runs. Although he was sent back to Triple-A after that, he could be called up quickly if needed.
Kolek has a solid career ERA of 4.03 and recorded a 2.76 ERA during his rehab assignment. While he could easily fit into many rotations, he faces competition from Ragans, Noah Cameron, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Kris Bubic. Through recent injuries, the Royals’ depth has been tested, making every game crucial.
Another injury to watch is that of reliever Carlos Estévez, who left a rehab game due to shoulder discomfort. This new issue is concerning, especially since he was already on the injured list for a foot injury after being struck by a ball. His past performances have not been great either, with a velocity dip that has seen him pitching under 90 mph, far below his usual of 97 mph.
Since Estévez has been out, Lucas Erceg has taken on the closing duties, securing ten saves despite some struggles with high walk rates. Only Connor Phillips of the Reds has a worse walk rate among pitchers with a similar number of innings pitched this year. Ideally, the Royals would like Estévez back soon to stabilize the bullpen.
Injuries, especially in a competitive environment, can shift a team’s dynamics quickly. The Royals are hoping for good news on their injured players.
For up-to-date medical information on players and their conditions, the MLB Injury Reports are a useful resource.
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carlos estevez,cole ragans,noah cameron,stephen kolek
