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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Suffers setback after rehab start
Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 12:27 PM
Bubic (elbow/shoulder) suffered a setback after beginning his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: In his first rehab start while recovering from left elbow soreness, Bubic was knocked around for five earned runs across 1.1 innings Tuesday and apparently emerged from the outing with a shoulder issue. The southpaw is scheduled to see a doctor over the weekend to determine the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list in mid-May, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts). |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Ramping up throwing intensity
Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 12:15 PM
Estevez (shoulder) increased his intensity and volume in a flat-ground throwing session Friday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez is slowly progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain suffered during a rehab assignment May 6 while working back from a left foot contusion. After resuming throwing May 27, the right-hander is increasing the intensity of his work, which is an encouraging sign. A formal timeline for the next steps in the veteran's progression and his return to Kansas City remains unclear, though bullpen sessions and facing live hitters would likely be among the next milestones. Lucas Erceg initially took over as the Royals' primary closer in Estevez's absence but has struggled mightily, opening the door for Alex Lange, who has converted four saves in June. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Logs second bullpen session Friday
Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 12:02 PM
Ragans (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ragans' bullpen session Friday comes on the heels of a 23-pitch session Wednesday. The continued throwing is an encouraging sign, and the Royals will determine the next steps in his recovery after evaluating how the 28-year-old feels over the weekend. The southpaw has been on the injured list since May 8 with a left elbow impingement and made a rehab start May 23, but his progression was paused after he experienced discomfort in the aftermath of the outing. Before being sidelined, Ragans posted a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 35.1 innings (eight starts). |
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Luinder Avila Luinder Avila Can't escape first inning
Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 8:23 AM
Avila (1-3) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Astros after allowing eight runs on five hits, including two home runs, and three walks over two-thirds of an inning.
Analysis: Avila gave up two home runs to star slugger Yordan Alvarez while being responsible for eight of the nine runs the Astros scored in the first inning. This was a step in the wrong direction for Avila, who was coming off back-to-back starts in which he'd allowed just one run over five frames. Avila, who carries a 7.02 ERA over his last five starts, is slated to make his next start on the road against the Nationals. |
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Eli Morgan Eli Morgan Recalled by Kansas City
Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 5:07 PM
The Royals recalled Morgan from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: The move corresponds with the Royals placing Seth Lugo on the 7-day concussion list. Morgan has split his time somewhat evenly between the majors and the minors this season. He's appeared in 13 games for the Royals and has a 5.51 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings. Morgan could just be a placeholder in the bullpen until the Royals need to call up a starter to replace Lugo in the rotation. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Placed on concussion IL
Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 5:01 PM
The Royals placed Lugo on the 7-day concussion list Friday.
Analysis: Lugo was struck in the forehead by a line drive during Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The good news for Lugo was that a subsequent CT scan came back negative, but he's now in the league's concussion protocol and will need to hit multiple checkpoints before being cleared to return to the majors. In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled Eli Morgan from Triple-A Omaha. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Finishes strong after early trouble
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 6:54 PM
Wacha (4-5) allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two batters over seven innings in a loss against Texas on Thursday.
Analysis: Wacha looked like he could be in for a short outing after giving up three runs on five hits over the first three innings. The veteran righty was able to settle down thereafter and surrendered only one more run, but the Royals' offense was never able to catch up. Wacha notched just seven whiffs on 102 pitches and tied a season low with two punchouts, but he at least managed to spare a thin KC bullpen by covering seven frames. He has once again provided a reliable arm for the Royals, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69:27 K:BB through 88 innings across 14 starts. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo CT scan comes back negative
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:22 AM
Lugo's (head) CT scan came back negative.
Analysis: Lugo was involved in a scary incident during Wednesday's outing versus the Rangers when he was struck in the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. He got to his feet quickly and seemed alert but was pulled from the game. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Lugo has some swelling on his forehead and his left (non-throwing) elbow is sore from falling, but the pitcher feels OK, all things considered. It looks like Lugo has dodged a serious injury and could make his next scheduled start Monday versus the Nationals, but he'll continue to be monitored in the coming days. |
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Kyle Isbel Kyle Isbel Grade 3 plantar fasciitis tear
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:16 AM
Isbel has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fasciitis.
Analysis: It's unclear what this means for Isbel's timetable or if he will undergo surgery, but the nature of the injury points to an extended absence. Isbel was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday and could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner are in line for increased opportunities in center field for the Royals while Isbel is on the shelf. |
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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Getting breather Thursday
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:45 AM
Perez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Perez was in the lineup the last two days after missing the previous two contests with a thumb injury. He will take a seat for Thursday's afternoon tilt in what looks to be a routine day off. Carter Jensen is catching and Jac Caglianone is getting a day at designated hitter for the Royals. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Exiting starting lineup
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:42 AM
Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rangers.
Analysis: Garcia returned from a hamstring injury to start each of the previous four contests, but he'll grab a seat during Thursday's matinee. Nick Loftin will cover third base for the Royals. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Logs four hits Wednesday
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 3:07 AM
Caglianone went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's extra-inning loss against the Rangers.
Analysis: Caglianone's hot June continued, as he tallied a season-high four hits in the extra-inning affair. The right fielder has gone 14-for-26 (.538) with three homers, two doubles, eight RBI, seven runs, two stolen bases and five walks through eight appearances this month. After posting a modest .685 OPS through the end of May, this blistering stretch has boosted Caglianone's season OPS to .804 across 62 games. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Progressing in rehab
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 2:42 AM
Mears (shoulder) began a throwing progression this week and could progress to a bullpen by the end of the week, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears was placed on the injured list May 29 with a right shoulder impingement, and this marks the first notable update on his status since then. The right-hander appears to be trending in a positive direction, and if his progression remains on track, he likely won't require much more time on the injured list. Prior to being sidelined, Mears pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Hit by comebacker, leaves game
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 7:53 PM
Lugo was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers after getting hit on the head by a comebacker, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander made it through 3.1 innings of one-run ball Wednesday before a 106.6-mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo connected with Lugo's forehead in the fourth. He was able to get to his feet relatively quickly but was immediately pulled by the Royals' training staff and will presumably enter concussion protocol. An update on his status may be available after the game. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Idle against southpaw
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 5:02 PM
Massey is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Royals manager Matt Quatraro will send Massey and fellow left-handed hitter Carter Jensen to the bench Wednesday while southpaw MacKenzie Gore takes the hill for the Rangers. With Massey sitting, Nick Loftin will pick up a start at second base and will bat eighth. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Riding pine against lefty
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
Jensen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Royals manager Matt Quatraro will send Jensen and fellow left-handed hitter Michael Massey to the bench Wednesday while southpaw MacKenzie Gore takes the hill for the Rangers. With Jensen sitting, Salvador Perez will handle the catching duties, while Starling Marte serve as Kansas City's designated hitter. |
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Kameron Misner Kameron Misner Getting chance with Kansas City
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 3:42 PM
The Royals recalled Misner from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: He'll join the big club as a replacement for Kyle Isbel (foot), who was placed on the injured list. Misner has spent the whole season up to this point at Omaha, slashing .276/.373/.547 with 13 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 59 games. He could see some playing time in center field while Isbel is shelved. |
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Kyle Isbel Kyle Isbel Placed on IL with plantar fasciitis
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 3:37 PM
The Royals placed Isbel on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Analysis: Isbel was lifted from Tuesday's game versus the Rangers due to the injury, though it's unclear whether it occurred then or is an issue that's nagged at him. It's unclear how much time Isbel might miss. Lane Thomas will likely see the bulk of the reps in center field for Kansas City while Isbel is sidelined, though Kameron Misner was recalled from Triple-A Omaha and could also be in the mix for playing time. |
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Kyle Isbel Kyle Isbel Out of Wednesday's lineup
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 2:54 PM
Isbel (foot) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Isbel had to depart Tuesday's contest because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, though there's a good chance he would not have started Wednesday even if he were healthy, as southpaw MacKenzie Gore is on the bump for the Rangers. Lane Thomas will patrol center field for Kansas City. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Knocked around in rehab start
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 8:07 AM
Bubic (elbow) yielded six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: Coming back from left elbow soreness and general arm fatigue, Bubic was sporting his typical velocity in his first outing in nearly a month. Not much else went right, however, as he needed 49 pitches to record four outs. The left-hander will need at least one additional rehab start before rejoining the Royals' rotation, and he will hope to be sharper in that outing. |
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