The Royals’ pitching depth will be tested after a second rotation injury Friday
Kansas City Royals starter Cole Ragans exited Friday’s game in the sixth inning with a familiar ailment.
Ragans allowed a leadoff single to Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn. The baseball was just out of his reach as it went into center field. As Ragans walked back to the mound, Royals manager Matt Quatraro and head trainer Kyle Turner headed to meet him.
After a brief conversation, Ragans departed the field. Quatraro turned to right-handed reliever John Schreiber to continue the inning. The Royals are calling Ragans’ injury left groin tightness.
“It tightened up there on him in the fifth inning,” Quatraro said. “So, just trying to do the right thing. Get him out of there before something happened.”
Ragans surrendered three earned runs prior to the inning. His last two fastballs thrown registered 91.4 and 89.5 mph respectively.
“I just couldn’t use my legs,” Ragans said. “It obviously affects anything rotating, the lower half and that kind of stuff.”
The Cardinals tacked on four more runs in the frame. Ragans was charged with one of the additional runs after Ivan Herrera doubled off Schreiber.
“(I noticed) definitely in that last inning,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said. “I hear fastball in my ear and it’s reading as changeups. You look up and they’re like 88 mph. You kind of know something is going on. But up until then, I thought he looked pretty sharp.”
A few weeks ago, Ragans dealt with a mild left groin strain. He missed a start against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 30.
“He’s felt fine all the way through these last 10 days or so,” Quatraro said. “But it just tightened up on him there.”
The Royals inserted top prospect Noah Cameron in his stead. Cameron will make another spot start on Saturday in place of All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo.
Lugo is dealing with right middle finger inflammation. The Royals are thin regarding starting pitching depth at the moment. Lugo, as well as Kyle Wright and Alec Marsh, are each nursing injuries.
The Royals did sign MLB veteran Rich Hill to a minor-league contract. If he is recalled, the Royals will be his 14th team in his career.
After the game, Ragans admitted he was frustrated to exit with the injury.
“You know, not being able to be myself out there and have my best stuff,” Ragans said, “it’s very frustrating.”
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM.
