Cole Ragans, the Royals' left-handed pitcher, is facing another setback in his recovery journey. After experiencing discomfort during a throwing session, Ragans is headed for further testing, as confirmed by manager Matt Quatraro. This latest development comes as Ragans continues to battle an elbow impingement, a condition that has already halted his rehab process once before due to renewed elbow stiffness.
The road to recovery for Ragans has been fraught with challenges. Since his last competitive outing in early May, Ragans has made just one rehab appearance, lasting only 4 1/3 innings with Triple-A Omaha. His performance didn't recover well, and he hasn't pitched in a game since. With this setback, Ragans' return before the All-Star break is now in doubt, as he would likely need multiple rehab starts to regain his form.
Ragans' struggles this season are a stark contrast to his impressive 2024 campaign, where he made a career-high 32 starts for the Royals. However, injuries have plagued him in the last two seasons. In 2025, he missed several weeks with a groin strain, and upon his return, he suffered a rotator cuff strain that sidelined him for three months. This season, Ragans has been limited to just eight starts, highlighting the ongoing challenges he faces.
The Royals' rotation is currently in disarray, with several key players on the sidelines. Left-hander Kris Bubic is out with elbow soreness and has experienced shoulder discomfort during a recent rehab start. Right-hander Seth Lugo is on the seven-day concussion IL after a freak accident involving a liner to the forehead. The team has added Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila to the rotation to fill the voids left by Ragans and Bubic, but they still need to find a replacement for Lugo, with Mitch Spence as a potential option.
This situation underscores the fragility of the Royals' pitching staff and the constant challenges they face in maintaining a consistent and healthy rotation. As Ragans continues his journey back to full health, the team must navigate these setbacks and find solutions to keep their season on track. The future of the Royals' pitching staff remains uncertain, but the team's resilience and determination will be tested in the coming weeks.
