An injury halted this KC Royals starter’s career. Now he is eager to pitch again

The Kansas City Royals know where their strength lies.

The club’s 2026 edition has a wealth of starting pitching — led by Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha — that rivals the very best in the major leagues.

Beyond this core group, multiple other young Royals bring starting experience. Guys like Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek have all pitched major-league innings. Each made key starts last season.

Ask any member of the Royals’ front office, and they’ll likely rattle off four or five more names that bear watching this spring.

“You are always looking for starter depth,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said after acquiring right-handed pitcher Mitch Spence on Thursday.

And there’s yet another KC starting pitcher who has flown under the radar … albeit due to a significant injury.

Alec Marsh.

Now 27, he was an important piece of the Royals’ 2024 rotation, with a 4.53 ERA in 26 games (25 starts in a career-high 129 innings). The Royals fell in love with his competitiveness on and off the mound.

There were learning curves along the way, but Marsh proved he could be a long-term starter for the franchise. Then the injuries hit.

Marsh dealt with right-shoulder tightness after the 2024 season. He worked to rehab from that injury but suffered setbacks along the way. Ultimately, Marsh missed the entire 2025 season while dealing with constant physical discomfort.

“Just impossible,” Marsh said of the setbacks he encountered. “I think it’s a good word for it, because you never expect anything like that to happen. Especially when you feel like you start figuring out some things about your game. … Yeah, just not having a healthy camp and the thing just kept steam-rolling and going downhill all year.”

Marsh hated being away from the Royals’ clubhouse. He missed his teammates and his desire to play only fueled his hunger to return. He tried to maintain a positive outlook, but there were many difficult days when he missed being on the field.

Yet Marsh forged ahead.

He underwent labrum surgery in October. The procedure was performed by Dr. Timothy Griffith in Atlanta. Marsh was given a yearlong recovery timeline, which could still force him to miss the 2026 season.

He has remained in good spirits for spring training in Suprise, Arizona. He has taken part in most team activities, except for physically throwing a baseball. He expects to gain medical clearance soon, he said, and that will allow him to begin his prolonged throwing program.

“I go see the doctor on March 9,” he said, “and then I should be cleared to start throwing. I’m going to start building up and doing all that good stuff.”

Marsh knows he has a long road ahead. There is a big difference between beginning a throwing program and being ready to pitch in games. The buildup period could last a while.

“We don’t even start throwing until six months after surgery,” he said. “It’s just different for throwers and that’s how it goes. But I’m ready to take it on. And it’s gonna be ups and downs just like anything, you know? I haven’t thrown a baseball in six or seven months, so I’m excited to get myself back.”

The Royals moved Marsh to the 60-day injured list on Thursday. Club officials are excited to watch him progress, as they still have big plans for his return.

“I think the most important thing right now is that his spirits are high,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “He feels like he is making progress, and it’s the best he’s felt in a couple of years. His mobility is good. His strength is good and he’s anxious to really start progressing.”

Right now, it’s too soon to tell whether Marsh will be ready for in-game action later this season. He is staying hopeful about that. There’s been some discussion about whether winter ball or the Arizona Fall League would be a better landing spot later in 2026.

Marsh just wants to just pitch again and see if he can still make an impact.

“As soon as I’m ready to go, I want to play ...” he said. “I want to get back out there and knock the dust off, because it’s been a long time. That’s something to look forward to.”

Marsh said the labrum surgery was the first major procedure he’s had. He gained a lot of perspective by electing to undergo it. Now he is ready to write a new chapter in his career journey.

“I’m really pumped with how the surgery went and where we are going moving forward,” he said. “Yeah, mentally you learn a lot. And I’m blessed either way.

“You know, I get to come out here, I get to dress out and be with these guys again for spring training and I’m grateful for it. My story is not even close to over. I’ve got a long time (left) and I want to play for a long time. So that’s kind of where my head is at, too. It’s the long game and it’s not the end.”