| News |
|---|
|
Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Punches out five in no-decision
Sat, May 9, 2026, 2:52 AM
Bubic didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Tigers, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.
Analysis: Bubic held the Tigers to just one run through five innings, but things began to get away from him in the sixth. After walking the first batter of the inning, Bubic recorded two outs before giving up an RBI double to Wenceel Perez. The southpaw was replaced on the mound immediately afterward by Nick Mears, who gave up another double to Spencer Torkelson, allowing Perez to score. Some late-game heroics from the Royals' offense kept Bubic from taking his second loss of the season, so he'll keep his 3-1 record and take a 3.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP into his start next week against the White Sox. |
|
Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Confirmed for start Sunday
Fri, May 8, 2026, 4:42 PM
Manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that Cameron (back) will start Sunday's game against the Tigers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Cameron was scratched from his last scheduled start Tuesday against Cleveland due to back tightness. After throwing a bullpen session Thursday without any problems, he'll officially avoid a stint on the injured list and return to face a Detroit lineup that's posted just a .669 OPS over its last 10 games. |
|
Eric Cerantola Eric Cerantola Returning to Triple-A
Fri, May 8, 2026, 3:14 PM
The Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: The right-hander was called up from Omaha on Wednesday and pitched on both days he spent in the big leagues, giving up three runs on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts over three innings. Steven Cruz will fill Cerantola's spot in Kansas City's bullpen. |
|
Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Rejoins big club
Fri, May 8, 2026, 3:09 PM
The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: The right-hander was demoted to Omaha on Wednesday but will quickly rejoin the major-league club with Cole Ragans (elbow) landing on the injured list. Kolek made a spot start in place of Noah Cameron (back) earlier this week and could now get a few turns through the rotation with Ragans sidelined. Kolek delivered a quality start in his first MLB appearance of 2026, striking out three and giving up three runs on four hits over six innings while picking up a win versus Cleveland. |
|
Steven Cruz Steven Cruz Back in majors
Fri, May 8, 2026, 3:01 PM
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: The right-hander spent some time in the majors in early April but was sent back to Omaha after giving up eight runs across five appearances. Cruz will rejoin the Royals a month later and should fill a low-leverage relief role. |
|
Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Out with elbow impingement
Fri, May 8, 2026, 2:38 PM
The Royals placed Ragans on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 7, due to a left elbow impingement.
Analysis: The left-hander departed his start against the Guardians on Wednesday due to a valgus extension overload in his left elbow -- also known as pitcher's elbow -- and he was initially expected to rest for a few days before the next steps of his recovery program were determined. Ragans said Thursday that he was already feeling much better than when he left Wednesday's contest, but he'll still spend at least the next couple of weeks on the IL after being diagnosed with the impingement. Stephen Kolek was called up from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move Friday and is a candidate to fill Ragans' spot in the starting rotation. |
|
Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Pair of hits in loss
Fri, May 8, 2026, 7:20 AM
Garcia went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's loss to the Guardians.
Analysis: Garcia recorded his second two-hit performance in as many days, ripping a leadoff double in the top of the first inning before later driving in a run with a single in the fifth frame. The third baseman's numbers have been trending upward of late, as he's slashing .303/.351/.515 with a homer, four doubles, four RBI, four runs and two stolen bases over the past eight games. |
|
Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Homers in four-hit game
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:42 PM
Witt went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 8-5 loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: Witt is heating up following a sluggish start to the campaign. He has at least one knock in 16 of his last 18 games, during which Witt is batting .333 with 10 extra-base hits, nine RBI and five stolen bases over 75 at-bats to raise his OPS to .825 for the year. Thursday's four-hit game was the All-Star shortstop's first of the season as well. |
|
Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Labors in second loss
Thu, May 7, 2026, 6:18 PM
Lugo (1-2) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: The Guardians ambushed Lugo with three runs in the opening frame, but the hurler was at least able to settle down a bit afterward for a 102-pitch outing. The 36-year-old right-hander walked four batters for the third time already this year, and he's now given up at least seven hits in three consecutive starts after not yielding more than five in any of his prior seven appearance. Lugo has still maintained a decent 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB across 47.2 innings despite his recent shakiness, and he's next set for a favorable matchup against the division-rival White Sox. |
|
Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Dealing with pitcher's elbow
Thu, May 7, 2026, 5:03 PM
Ragans was diagnosed with valgus extension overload in his left elbow Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ragans' elbow forced him to make an early exit from his start Wednesday after three innings. The Royals are going to allow the 28-year-old lefty to rest for a few days and see how he feels before determining next steps. Ragans said Thursday that he has already begun to feel better since leaving Wednesday's game, per Rogers, which bodes well for his chances of avoiding a trip to the IL. |
|
Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Diagnosed with rotator cuff strain
Thu, May 7, 2026, 4:54 PM
Estevez (foot) was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez made his first rehab appearance in the minors Wednesday as part of his recovery from a left foot injury, but he was removed after just two-thirds of an inning after displaying diminished velocity. Now that he's been officially diagnosed with a strained rotator cuff, the Royals will shut him down from throwing for three weeks before reevaluating him, at which point he may be cleared to restart a throwing program. Lucas Erceg will continue to work as Kansas City's go-to closer while Estevez is out. |
|
Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Limited to DH due to sore hip
Thu, May 7, 2026, 11:44 AM
Perez remains limited to designated-hitter duty due to hip soreness, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: The hip issue first popped up for Perez a few weeks ago. Just three of his last 15 starts have come at catcher, and he's making a sixth straight start at DH on Thursday. Royals manager Matt Quatraro indicated Thursday that Perez is unlikely to return to catching this weekend. Carter Jensen will continue to start behind the plate while Perez recuperates. |
|
Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Slated for bullpen session
Thu, May 7, 2026, 11:37 AM
Cameron (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday to determine his readiness to start Sunday against the Tigers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Cameron had to be scratched from his scheduled start against the Guardians on Tuesday due to back tightness. The move was considered precautionary, and as long as the lefty gets through Thursday's mound work without a setback, he should miss just the one turn in the rotation. Cameron has posted a 5.40 ERA and 28:11 K:BB over 31.2 frames in his first six starts this season. |
|
Eric Cerantola Eric Cerantola Logs first major-league strikeouts
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:46 PM
Cerantola allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning during the Royals' 3-1 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday.
Analysis: Cerantola was recalled by the Royals from Triple-A Omaha before Wednesday's game, and the 26-year-old right-hander from Montreal, Canada made his major-league debut on the same day. He allowed the first two batters he faced on base, but after Austin Hedges was caught stealing, Cerantola settled in to strike out the last two batters of ninth. Cerantola has a 1.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB across 12.2 innings in Triple-A this season, and his promotion to the big leagues should give the Royals a nice boost in the bullpen. |
|
Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Exits with sore triceps
Wed, May 6, 2026, 8:16 PM
Ragans was removed from Wednesday's game against the Guardians due to left triceps/elbow soreness.
Analysis: Ragans made it through three shutout innings before being forced out of his start, during which he gave up one hit and two walks while striking out four batters. It remains unknown whether he'll be able to make his next start against the White Sox next week, though the Royals will likely send him in for further testing and offer an update once they have more information. |
|
Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Sitting Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 5:27 PM
Caglianone is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
Analysis: After starting each of the Royals' first five games of May and going a collective 4-for-17 with two home runs, two walks, four RBI and three runs, Caglianone will receive a night off Wednesday. Starling Marte will check in for Caglianone in right field and will bat sixth. |
|
Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Exits rehab outing with injury
Wed, May 6, 2026, 5:06 PM
Estevez (foot) was removed from his rehab appearance at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday due to shoulder discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez's velocity was down during his appearance Wednesday, and he managed to record just two outs before leaving the game alongside a trainer. The right-hander has been on the injured list since the beginning of April due to a left foot injury and was trending toward returning to Kansas City's bullpen around mid-May. However, his latest setback could extend his time on the IL and Lucas Erceg's time as the Royals' primary closer. |
|
Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Not in Kansas City lineup
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:44 PM
Jensen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Guardians.
Analysis: It's a routine day off after Jensen had started each of the last seven games. The Royals will go with Elias Diaz at catcher and Salvador Perez at designated hitter Wednesday. |
|
Eric Cerantola Eric Cerantola Moves up from Triple-A
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:14 PM
The Royals recalled Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Cerantola earned the promotion after turning in a 1.42 ERA and 18:6 K:BB over his first 12.2 innings with Omaha. The 26-year-old reliever will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game. |
|
Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Moving to Triple-A
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:12 PM
The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Kolek picked up the win in a spot start Tuesday versus the Guardians, yielding three runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts across six innings. With Kolek back in the minors, Noah Cameron (back) seems destined to rejoin the rotation after missing just one start. |
Connect With Us:
