Kansas City Royals’ Pitching Woes
The Kansas City Royals’ pitching rotation, which had been a major asset this season with one of the league’s top ERAs, is now facing significant challenges due to injuries.
All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic was added to the 15-day injured list on Sunday due to a left rotator cuff strain. This followed a performance against the Guardians where he managed only 2 2/3 innings and walked four batters consecutively at the game’s start.
Following the game, Bubic expressed concerns, stating, “Physically, something’s not right.” Just over 12 hours later, he was placed on the IL, prompting the Royals to call up reliever Jonathan Bowlan, who had pitched 48 innings in relief as an additional player during the doubleheader.
Bubic is now one of three starters on the injured list, alongside Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen. Ragans has been sidelined since June but began throwing again on July 7, while Lorenzen is expected to need a rehab assignment after recently pitching off a mound.
Amid these setbacks, starter Noah Cameron delivered a crucial performance, pitching five scoreless innings to help the Royals secure a 4-1 victory over the Guardians. This win was vital as the team strives to maintain playoff hopes.
Bubic mentioned that his injury has been manageable for most of the season but has worsened recently, leading him to require further testing to assess the severity of the strain and estimate recovery time.
In light of these injuries, the Royals are considering their roster options as they anticipate needing a starter for Wednesday’s game against the Braves, especially after scheduling changes due to rainouts. Manager Matt Quatraro stated that they are evaluating whether to use a bullpen day or bring in a replacement from the minors.