| News |
|---|
|
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. |
|
Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Two-hit night in win Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:16 AM
Witt went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: Witt smacked a first-pitch double in the first inning, giving him 10 two-baggers for the season, sixth most in the American League. The power hasn't been there for Witt to start the season, but he's currently on a five-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 16 straight contests. Witt is slashing .287/.358/.434 with three homers, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and a 17:30 BB:K across 162 plate appearances. |
|
Michael Massey Michael Massey Homers in win Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:11 AM
Massey went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: Massey concluded an eight-pitch at-bat with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, depositing a Gavin Williams curveball into the right-field seats to give Kansas City a 4-3 lead. The two-hit night snapped a 1-for-20 skid at the plate for Massey, who is slashing .215/.243/.385 with two home runs, nine RBI, seven runs scored, one stolen base and a 3:18 BB:K across 70 plate appearances. He's seeing regular playing time at second base with Jonathan India (shoulder) done for the season. |
|
Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Stuffs stat sheet in win Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:06 AM
Collins went 3-for-3 with a double, a solo homer, a stolen base and two runs scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: Collins singled and stole his second base of the season in his first plate appearance before doubling and scoring in the fourth. He then took Gavin Williams deep on a sweeper for his third homer of the season. Collins has multiple hits in five of his last 13 games and has gone 15-for-44 (.341) during that span with three doubles, two homers, eight RBI, seven runs scored, two steals and a 9:12 BB:K. He was hitting .183 on April 24 but is now slashing a respectable .255/.366/.394 across 112 plate appearances. |
|
Lucas Erceg Lucas Erceg Collects 10th save Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 8:58 AM
Erceg picked up the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, issuing one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning.
Analysis: Erceg matched David Bednar with his AL-best 10th save, and Erceg has now gone seven consecutive outings without allowing a run. He's also surrendered just one hit during that span. Even with Carlos Estevez (foot) cleared for rehab games and nearing a return, Erceg seems to have a firm grasp on closer duties in Kansas City. He owns a 3.52 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 15.1 innings. |
|
Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Collects win in 2026 debut
Wed, May 6, 2026, 8:53 AM
Kolek (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts across six innings.
Analysis: After straining his oblique during spring training, Kolek made four rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha before he was summoned for his 2026 debut Tuesday in place of the injured Noah Cameron (back). Kolek doesn't have great stuff and generated just two whiffs on 83 pitches against Cleveland, but he throws six pitches with plus command and was able to keep the Guardians at bay. With Cameron tentatively expected to avoid a trip to the injured list, it's unclear if Kolek will remain in Kansas City's rotation. |
|
Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Should avoid IL
Tue, May 5, 2026, 5:25 PM
Cameron (back) said he could have pitched through the back tightness that resulted in him being scratched from his scheduled start against the Guardians on Tuesday, with manager Matt Quatraro adding that the left-hander should be ready to rejoin the rotation after missing just one start, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Stephen Kolek is picking up a spot start Tuesday for Kansas City in Cameron's absence. Assuming the 26-year-old southpaw bounces back as expected, he should re-enter the Royals' starting rotation this weekend versus Detroit. |
|
Mason Black Mason Black Optioned to Triple-A
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:26 PM
The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: Black turned in four scoreless relief appearances after being promoted, but despite that he finds himself headed back to the minors. Stephen Kolek (oblique) is back from the injured list to take Black's roster spot. |
|
Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Activated ahead of Tuesday's start
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:24 PM
The Royals activated Kolek (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Kolek is set to make his season debut for the Royals with a start Tuesday versus the Guardians, slotting in as a replacement for Noah Cameron (back). Out since spring training with an oblique strain, Kolek posted a 2.76 ERA and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings in four rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha. He threw 72 pitches in his final rehab appearance, so he could be limited slightly from a workload perspective Tuesday. |
Connect With Us:
