Cole Ragans' Latest Setback Creates New Questions for Royals Rotation
· Yahoo Sports
The Kansas City Royals thought they were getting closer to an answer. Instead, they may have found themselves facing another question.
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Cole Ragans looked to be trending towards a return from the left elbow impingement that landed him on the injured list after his May 6 start against the Cleveland Guardians that lasted only three innings.
The expectation wasn't necessarily that he was days away, but there was at least a path forming. He had already completed a rehab start at Triple-A Omaha, and the conversation had gradually shifted from diagnosis to timeline.
"Cole woke up yesterday, not feeling as well arm-wise. So, when he came out to play catch yesterday, he had to cut it short," said Royals manager Matt Quatraro, via Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "We're going to get him some more testing in the next couple of days."
The update may not provide many answers, but it does create a new layer of uncertainty for a pitcher whose rehab process has already been anything but linear.
Ragans' recovery had previously been slowed after his May 23 rehab start with Omaha didn't advance his recovery as planned. He hasn't pitched in a competitive game since then. Saturday's development only adds another obstacle to a process that already appeared to be moving slower than originally anticipated.
This only adds to the fact that Ragans is no longer the only Royals starter dealing with unexpected complications.
Left-hander Kris Bubic recently experienced his own setback after a rehab outing. Bubic had been working back from elbow soreness, but a shoulder issue emerged following his appearance with Omaha and now requires further evaluation. Meanwhile, Seth Lugo remains on the seven-day injured list after being struck in the head by a line drive earlier this week.
Injuries happen, but they begin to reshape an entire rotation when they start stacking up.
That reality has forced Kansas City to rely on alternatives such as Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila while continuing to search for additional innings. The Royals still have not finalized how they will replace Lugo's spot in the rotation, and now the timeline for Ragans appears even less certain than it did a week ago.
For Ragans personally, the setback is particularly frustrating given how often injuries have interrupted his recent seasons. After making 32 starts in 2024, he has been limited to eight starts this year. Previous absences involving a groin strain and rotator cuff injury have already made durability a recurring storyline.
That is why the upcoming testing feels important beyond just determining a return date.
The Royals entered June hoping Ragans could soon become part of the solution. Until the results of those tests arrive, they are once again left waiting to find out whether his recovery is merely delayed or facing a more significant detour.