Cole Ragans, the Royals' left-handed pitcher, is facing yet another setback in his recovery journey. After experiencing discomfort during a throwing session, Ragans is headed for further testing, as confirmed by manager Matt Quatraro. This latest development comes as Ragans continues to battle an elbow impingement, a condition that has already halted his rehab process once before due to renewed elbow stiffness.
The road to recovery for Ragans has been fraught with challenges. Since his last competitive outing in early May, Ragans has made just one rehab appearance, lasting only 4 1/3 innings with Triple-A Omaha. His performance did not recover well, and he has not pitched in a game since. With this setback, Ragans' return before the All-Star break is now in doubt, and he may require multiple rehab starts to regain his form.
Ragans' struggles this season are a stark contrast to his impressive performance in 2024, where he made a career-high 32 starts for the Royals. However, injuries have plagued him in the last two seasons. In 2025, he missed several weeks with a groin strain and a subsequent rotator cuff strain that sidelined him for three months. Despite these setbacks, Ragans showed promise in his three encouraging starts to close the year, accumulating 22 strikeouts across 13 innings.
The Royals' rotation is currently in disarray, with several key players on the injured list. Left-hander Kris Bubic is out with elbow soreness and has experienced shoulder discomfort during a recent rehab start. Right-hander Seth Lugo is on the seven-day concussion IL after a unfortunate head injury. The team has had to fill these gaps by promoting Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila to the rotation. However, the search for a replacement for Lugo continues, as the Royals don't have an off-day until next Saturday.
Mitch Spence, who has struggled at Triple-A, could be an option to return to the big-league team. The Royals' rotation is in a state of flux, and Ragans' ongoing struggles only add to the challenges they face. With multiple injuries and a lack of depth, the Royals are facing a difficult task in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
This situation raises questions about the team's ability to manage injuries and maintain a consistent rotation. It also highlights the importance of having a robust farm system to provide depth and cover for unexpected setbacks. As Ragans continues his rehab, the Royals must navigate these challenges and find a way to keep their season on track.
