Royals place two starters on injured list. Here’s the rotation plan going forward
The Royals’ starting pitchers have the second-best ERA in the American League at 3.06, but the rotation will have a different look for the near term.
Cole Ragans, who left Friday’s game early because of a left groin strain, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday ahead of the Royals’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium.
Seth Lugo was originally scheduled to start Saturday, but he was scratched because of a strained middle finger. Lugo also was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday.
The Royals recalled left-handers Noah Cameron and Evan Sisk on Saturday, and Cameron will make the start in the I-70 Series game in place of Lugo.
Rotation plans
Michael Wacha will start Sunday’s series finale against the Cardinals, and Kris Bubic’s turn in the rotation would come Monday when the Royals play the first of three games against the Giants in San Francisco.
Michael Lorenzen is on track to start Tuesday. Wednesday is when Ragans’ spot in the rotation will come up.
“Wednesday will depend on how we get through these next few days because we’re adding Sisk, you know, essentially trading a starter for a reliever,” Royals manager Matt Quataro said. “We’ll get Clarkey (reliever Taylor Clarke) back on Monday.
“We’ll just have to see how we get through these days. Then Thursday being an off-day, there’s a potential to bull pen it or come up with something else in the interim. We’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Clarke was placed on the paternity list on Friday.
The Royals have scheduled off days on the next two Thursdays, so could they get by with four starters while their aces are on the sideline?
“Potentially, but then you’ve got to be careful with the other guys too,” Quatraro said. “You can’t just run on a short rest or four-man rotation. All that. You’re going to end up needing a fifth guy at some point, but it could potentially help.”
Cole Ragans on injury
Ragans, who missed a start earlier this month because of the strained groin, is hopeful rest will take care of the issue.
“Take a few days where it’s not really getting cranked on and continue throwing, and get ready for at the end of this I.L. stint that I’m ready to go.”
Ragans, a 6-4 left-hander, has a 2-3 record with a 4.53 ERA. He has 72 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings over his nine starts. He finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting last season.
“There’s never a good time to go in the I.L.,” Ragans said, “so it sucks but if there is a (good) time, it’s earlier rather than later (in the season).”
Seth Lugo on injury
Lugo, who is 3-4 with a 3.02 ERA, is dealing with inflammation in the finger.
“We’re thinking it’s from compensating, dealing with the blister in the last couple starts,” Lugo said.
Lugo finished second in the Cy Young vote last season.
“I think right now this part of the season, it’s better to get healthy and be 100% out there than try to push through,” Lugo said.
This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM.
