How did Royals’ ace feel during return from injury? Here’s his postgame report
Cole Ragans, though he only missed one start with a groin injury, said it wasn’t fun sitting out during this Royals win streak.
It was why the left-hander was so happy — and relieved — to be able to return during KC’s 3-0 home victory against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
“Watching these guys every day is incredible. What the other starters have done, watching them, you just want to build off of it,” Ragans said. “You want to follow. Everybody wants to follow the next guy.”
Ragans set a strong example of his own with Monday’s dominant return. He struck out 11 in five innings while maintaining his velocity and getting up to 98 mph with his fastball.
“It’s just like another day at the office for him,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said with a smile. “So it’s great to have him back and see what he does.”
Perhaps the best news for the Royals? Ragans didn’t report any complications afterward.
The 27-year-old said Monday’s outing felt at times like he hadn’t thrown in a while. His body, however, felt as strong as he could’ve hoped.
“Everything felt good. Wasn’t any certain pitches where it felt bad or anything,” Ragans said. “Overall, felt really good.”
The Royals, in other words, seem to have escaped from what initially seemed like it could be a serious scenario.
Ragans certainly wasn’t himself in his previous start, going just three innings against the Colorado Rockies on April 24 while allowing four runs and two home runs. His velocity being down was even more troubling, and the Royals removed him from the game after 62 pitches with his groin ailment.
An injured list stint seemed like a possibility at the time. Instead, Ragans just missed the one start — then returned Monday to help the Royals win their 12th game in 14 tries.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot. Really close to where I want to be,” he said. “Still some tweaks to be made, but overall, felt like I’m in a good spot.”
KC’s 12-wins-in-14-games streak is its first since Aug. 15-29, 2016. That run was fueled by two famous good-luck charms: a pair of Rally Mantises.
Witt was quick to say Monday that he didn’t feel anything that the Royals had accomplished lately was outside what should be possible.
“Just feels like we’re playing our type of baseball,” Witt said. “I don’t think it’s any type of streak. I don’t think it’s any type of things we weren’t able to show ourselves that we’re able to do.
“I think it’s just playing our game and playing it the way we’re able to.”
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
