What Royals’ bullpen looks like after RHP Hunter Harvey returns to injured list
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals placed right-hander Hunter Harvey on 15-day IL with abductor strain.
- Harvey pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in 6 games before returning to injured list.
- Royals recalled Luinder Avila from Triple-A Omaha to bolster bullpen depth.
The Kansas City Royals have placed right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey on the 15-day injured list with a right abductor strain.
Harvey, 30, has battled injuries all season. He recently returned from a right teres major strain that had sidelined him for a little over three months.
“He woke up with it the day after he pitched,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said after Monday’s game, a 7-4, series-opening victory over the Washington Nationals at Kauffman Stadium. “He didn’t feel it pitching at all, which was yesterday, the day after.
“He played catch yesterday and said he thought he was going to trend in the right direction. And then today, it didn’t. So he didn’t feel it at all pitching in the game against the Minnesota Twins.”
Harvey appeared in six games before returning to the injured list. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out four. His fastball velocity had returned and the Royals were looking to use him in high-leverage situations.
Now, the Royals will simply hope he gets healthy again.
“It’s two weeks on the IL so we’ll just hopefully get the thing calmed down,” Quatraro said. “He should be able to keep playing catch to some extent to keep his arm going.”
In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled right-hander Luinder Avila from Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 4.47 ERA in 10 games and will now get an opportunity at the major-league level.
Avila is the Royals’ No. 14-ranked prospect, per MLB.com. He has arrived in Kansas City and is currently with the club.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
