This Royals reliever was placed on injured list. What’s the plan to replace him?
Kansas City Royals reliever Hunter Harvey is headed to the injured list. On Friday, the Royals announced Harvey is dealing with a right teres major strain — which occurs near the shoulder.
Harvey, 30, was placed on the 15-day injured list, which was retroactive to April 8. In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled right-handed pitcher Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha.
“He just felt something yesterday, when he was getting ready for the 7th (inning),” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, we ended up not needing him, but we had him up if the game ended up tied or we had taken the lead.”
Harvey has dealt with injuries in his Royals tenure. Last season, Harvey sustained mid-back tightness that limited him to just six appearances. Now, he will miss time after beginning the 2025 season with seven strikeouts in 5 ⅓ scoreless innings.
“When he came in after the game, he said he felt it when he was warming up,” Quatraro said. “We got him an MRI and it is a Grade 1 teres major strain. Hopefully, it’s mild enough to be a very short stint on the IL.”
A right teres strain is a sudden sharp pain near the shoulder. The teres major is a small muscle that helps the shoulder operate while throwing. Harvey felt the pain around his upper armpit area.
Harvey did not travel with the team to Cleveland. He stayed in Kansas City to receive treatment and start the recovery process.
“He will have a reevaluation in a week with Dr. (Vincent) Key and they will determine from there,” Quatraro said.
The Royals will look to replace his production in the short term. There could be more opportunity for left-handed relief trio Sam Long, Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV in high leverage situations.
Quatraro could also turn to right-handers Chris Stratton and John Schreiber as both have experience in matchup-based scenarios. In the late innings, the Royals will hand the baseball to Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez to finish games.
“We have confidence in the depth,” Quatraro said.
Cruz will fit into the mix. He posted a 6.00 ERA in three relief appearances in Triple-A Omaha. However, he had six strikeouts with just two walks in three innings pitched.
“Super excited,” Cruz said through an interpreter. “This is what you always want. Continue to work hard and be able to be with the big-league team.”
This offseason, Cruz focused on throwing fastballs at the top of the strike zone with consistency.
“Mechanically, just trying to stay taller with the upper body and mainly locating pitches as well,” Cruz said.
The Royals began a 10-game road trip in Cleveland on Friday. KC will face the Guardians this weekend before continuing with series against the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers next week.
