The Kansas City Royals recently announced that pitcher Cole Ragans is on the 15-day injured list due to a left elbow impingement. This decision is retroactive to May 7th. In other moves, the team has optioned Eric Cerantola and recalled Stephen Kolek and Steven Cruz.
Ragans started in a game last Wednesday but left after three innings, throwing 58 pitches. He reported feeling soreness around his triceps and elbow. Despite his past with Tommy John surgeries, Ragans mentioned this pain felt different. Manager Matt Quatraro deemed it necessary to pull him from the game as a precaution but noted that Ragans might be ready to pitch soon.
Later, Quatraro revealed that Ragans has been diagnosed with valgus extension overload. The team will assess his condition over the next few days. However, they decided to place him on the injured list for at least a couple of weeks for safety.
Ragans showed great potential in 2024 with a 3.14 earned run average (ERA) over 32 starts. Unfortunately, injuries have hindered his performance since then. Last season, he made only 13 starts with a 4.67 ERA, dealing with both a groin strain and a rotator cuff issue. This year, he holds a 4.84 ERA. Taking a break might help him regain his form.
In terms of timing, the Royals are facing a bit of a challenge. They recently lost pitchers Ryan Bergert and Ben Kudrna to season-ending surgeries, limiting their options. Kolek, who has been on the injured list for most of the season, recently returned to the roster after a successful rehab start while filling in for Noah Cameron.
Kolek performed well in his last outing, pitching six innings and earning a win. However, he was quickly sent back to the minors, as the team only needed him temporarily. Now, with Ragans out, Kolek is likely to step back into the rotation alongside Cameron, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Kris Bubic.
Kolek, acquired from the Padres last year, has a career 4.03 ERA across 165 1/3 innings. While he primarily served as a reliever in 2024, he thrived in a starter role the previous year, achieving a 3.51 ERA. His pitching arsenal includes six types of pitches, allowing him to mix up his approach effectively.
Currently, the Royals’ depth in the pitching department is thin. With Bergert and Kudrna sidelined and Luinder Avila in a long relief role, the team will be relying heavily on its remaining pitchers. Mason Black and Mitch Spence are also on the 40-man roster but are currently assigned to Triple-A.
Pitching injuries can significantly impact a team’s performance. The Royals will need to monitor Ragans closely and hope that Kolek can step up in the meantime. Meanwhile, fans will be watching how the team adapts to these challenges as the season progresses.
For more insights on player injuries and their effects on team dynamics, check out this MLB report on season injuries.
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