Kansas City Royals News

CENTRAL

Seth Lugo • SP • Royals

Seth Lugo Reinstated and Starting on Friday Against Nationals

The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they reinstated veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Lugo will return from the IL to face the Washington Nationals on Friday after he was struck in the forehead by a line drive in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium against the Texas Rangers in his last start on June 10. The 36-year-old veteran will return to a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched over his 14 starts in his 11th year in the majors. Despite being a soft-tosser with a below-average 19.8% strikeout rate, Lugo has kept hitters off balance enough to make him a deep-league streaming option. We would not recommend him in his first start off the IL, though, against a Nationals ballclub that ranks fifth in the league in OPS (.744). Lugo has little room for error with a lack of strikeout upside, and he'll likely have a limited pitch count in this one after not making a minor-league rehab start.

4 hours ago

Jac Caglianone • RF • Royals

Jac Caglianone Continues to be a Priority Target on the Waiver Wire

The Kansas City Royals' 2024 first-round pick, first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone, has been heating up at the plate in June, slashing .356/.441/.610 with four home runs, 11 RBI, 12 runs, and seven walks. While his strikeouts remain an issue on the season (29.7 percent), his underlying data on how he is impacting the ball and his quality of contact remain elite. He has a 93.4 mph average exit velocity (96th percentile), 14.5 percent barrel rate (89th percentile), 56.5 percent hard-hit rate (98th percentile), and a 76.9 mph bat speed (96th percentile). On the season, Caglianone's slash line is up to .266/.338/.439 with nine home runs, three stolen bases, 30 runs scored, and 22 RBI. While the batting average looks nice, his counting stats are still down, mostly due to a lack of a power surge in April and May, and the Royals' offense not producing at a high level. Nonetheless, he is doing what he needs to do with how he's impacting the ball, and ultimately, that is all a player can control. He may have a second half where he can hit fifteen-plus home runs and drive up those numbers for fantasy managers. Caglianone has much more value in category formats than he does in points leagues due to his poor plate discipline.

9 hours ago

Bobby Witt Jr. • SS • Royals

Bobby Witt Jr. Leaves with Knee Discomfort

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Witt appears to have suffered a right knee injury when he landed awkwardly while trying to make a play in the fourth inning. He was replaced by Tyler Tolbert shortly after that. Before leaving the game, Witt went 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run and two RBI. The team is calling it right knee discomfort, which means Witt should be considered day-to-day right now. The Royals could have Witt undergo further testing. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on Friday, but Tolbert could see more action at shortstop for a few days. UPDATE: Manager Matt Quatraro told reporters after the game that Witt went for additional testing on his injured right knee, according to Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star.

20 hours ago

Maikel Garcia • 3B • Royals

Maikel Garcia Remains Out of Action With Hand Injury

Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) remains sidelined for Thursday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to MLB.com. Nick Loftin will make another start at the hot corner for KC and will bat seventh against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Garcia is dealing with soreness in his left hand and will miss a second straight game. It's an injury that he has been dealing with for a while now, and it's unclear if it's serious enough to land him on the injured list. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if Garcia is back in action. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has hit .257 (9-for-35) in 11 games in June with a double, a triple, nine RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base through 39 plate appearances. Garcia is rostered in most fantasy leagues because of his ability to contribute across all categories, although his counting stats have been lacking a bit so far in 2026. He enters Thursday's game with a .266/.326/.378 slash line, .705 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five steals in his 259 at-bats for the Royals.

Yesterday

Cole Ragans • SP • Royals

Royals Move Cole Ragans to 60-Day Injured List

The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they moved left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. The move likely means that we won't see Ragans back in Kansas City until after the mid-July All-Star break. The 28-year-old southpaw has been on the IL since May 8 with a left-elbow impingement, but he's now on the 60-day IL after suffering a setback last Friday. The former 30th overall pick in 2016 by the Texas Rangers broke out in 2024 in his first full year with the Royals, going 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA (2.99 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with a career-high 223 strikeouts and 67 walks in 186 1/3 innings pitched over his 32 starts. It was the first time that Ragans had exceeded 100 innings pitched in his four MLB seasons. Since then, he has struggled with injuries, making just 13 total starts last year and only eight starts in 2026. In his 35 1/3 innings this season, Ragans had a 4.84 ERA (6.18 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP, but with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks. The strikeout upside is clear, but fantasy managers have to wonder if Ragans will get healthy for the second half. He's currently rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Noah Cameron • SP • Royals

Noah Cameron Still Carries Waiver Appeal After Recent Stumble?

Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron remains a useful waiver-wire option for fantasy managers searching for pitching depth. Across 70 innings, the 26-year-old has a 3-4 record, 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts. The season-long ERA is not especially exciting, but Cameron has been much better over his last seven starts, posting a 3.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 36:6 K:BB across 38 1/3 innings. The caveat is his latest outing, when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over 4 1/3 innings against the Houston Astros. That start adds some short-term risk, but Cameron's recent stretch keeps him above the standard streamer tier in deeper leagues. His 42% Yahoo roster rate leaves enough room for fantasy managers to act where steadier back-end rotation help is needed.

2 days ago

Maikel Garcia • 3B • Royals

Maikel Garcia Sitting Out With Hand Injury on Wednesday

Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest on the road in Washington against the Nationals, according to MLB.com. Nick Loftin is starting at third base and will bat eighth for KC against Nationals right-hander Zack Littell. It's not a huge surprise that Garcia isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game after he was pulled early on Tuesday with left-hand soreness. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 26-year-old day-to-day until we know more about his condition. His next chance to suit up will come on Thursday in the series opener against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Garcia, who has eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield in Yahoo leagues, has been underwhelming so far in 2026 and is currently hitting .259 (9-for-35) with a double, a triple, nine RBI, four runs scored, one steal, four walks, and nine strikeouts in 11 games in June. He's mostly valuable in fantasy for his positional versatility and his speed (he's stolen at least 23 bases in each of the last three years).

2 days ago

Cole Ragans • SP • Royals

Cole Ragans Remains Shut Down From Throwing, Still Experiencing Symptoms

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) remains shut down from throwing amidst ongoing injury symptoms in his left elbow, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Rogers reports that Ragans is scheduled to see a new doctor in the coming days as the team seeks a better understanding of the injury. The 28-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since early May and does not appear to be particularly close to making his return to the Royals rotation. Ragans broke out as a fantasy ace in 2024, pitching to a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 223 strikeouts and 11 wins across 186 1/3 innings (32 starts). However, he's struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness since then, recording a 4.73 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 143 strikeouts across 97 innings (21 starts) over the past two seasons. Ragans is worth stashing in deeper league formats, but fantasy managers in shallower leagues without IL spots may need to consider looking for a replacement on the waiver wire.

2 days ago

Seth Lugo • SP • Royals

Seth Lugo "on Track" to Start on Friday Night

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (head) is "on track" to make the start in his team's matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Lugo is currently on the 7-day concussion injured list after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo during his most recent start on June 10. It's a great sign for everyone involved that Lugo appears to have avoided a more significant injury after the scary scene. Across 79 1/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026, Lugo has recorded a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts. The 36-year-old's fantasy upside is limited by his 19.8% strikeout rate, but he remains a savvy innings-eater who carries deep-league and streamer appeal in the right matchups.

2 days ago

Maikel Garcia • 3B • Royals

Maikel Garcia Leaves on Tuesday With Apparent Hand Injury

Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) was forced from Tuesday's game early against the Washington Nationals with an apparent hand injury, according to Royals announcer Joel Goldberg. Before being pinch-hit for by Isaac Collins, Garcia went 0-for-1 at the plate with a walk. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Garcia's condition and the severity of his injury, either later on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has mostly been a disappointment in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues, as he came into Tuesday's contest with a .267/.325/.380 slash line, .705 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 66 games and 283 plate appearances. Garcia had a career year in 2025 with a .286/.351/.449 slash line, .800 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 160 games. With eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, as well as at least 23 stolen bases in each of the last three seasons, Garcia is universally rostered in almost all of fantasy leagues.

2 days ago

Carlos Estévez • RP • Royals

Carlos Estevez Transferred to 60-Day Injured List

The Kansas City Royals announced that they have transferred relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. It's a procedural move for the team, as Estevez has been out since late March and remains eligible to return at any time. The veteran right-hander first hit the IL with a foot injury, but then suffered a rotator cuff strain during a rehab appearance in early May. Estevez was shelled in his lone outing of 2026, allowing six earned runs while recording just one out. His average fastball velocity in that appearance was 91.3 miles per hour, a significant drop-off from his average fastball velocity of 96.1 mph in 2025. Estevez was a highly valuable fantasy closer in 2025, pitching to a 2.45 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 54 strikeouts and 42 saves across 66 innings. Kansas City has had major difficulty filling the ninth-inning role this season, so Estevez could immediately take over as the closer upon his return. However, the 33-year-old currently remains without a firm return timetable and has yet to progress to throwing off a mound.

3 days ago

Kris Bubic • SP • Royals

Kris Bubic's MRI Shows No Structural Damage After Rehab Setback

Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) underwent an MRI, which showed nothing structurally wrong after sustaining a setback in a Triple-A Omaha rehab start on June 9. He will resume his regular progression if the symptoms subside and is not expected to miss a significant additional amount of time. There is no timeline set for Bubic, who had a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in nine starts before the injury after a strong 2025 season. The 28-year-old has been a steady presence since returning to the rotation after a full season as a bullpen arm in 2024, and will look to continue building back toward starter workload as he works his way back to the rotation.

4 days ago

Vinnie Pasquantino • 1B • Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino Undergoes Hand Surgery, Set to Miss 4-6 Weeks

Royals catcher Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right hand, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Pasquantino suffered the injury during a fifth-inning at-bat on Saturday and is now targeting a return around mid-to-late July. The 28-year-old was slashing .224/.309/.350 through 68 games in what has been a disappointing follow-up to his 2025 campaign, when he launched 32 home runs. His impact in the middle of the Royals lineup has been more limited this season, as his barrel rate has dropped from 10.8 percent to 7.3 percent. With a recovery timeline now in place, Pasquantino will look to regain his power stroke and provide a boost to Kansas City upon his return.

4 days ago

Vinnie Pasquantino • 1B • Royals

Royals Place Vinnie Pasquantino on Injured List With Hand Fracture

The Kansas City Royals announced on Sunday that they placed infielder Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) on the 10-day injured list with a right hamate fracture in his hand and recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Pasquantino fractured his right hand in Saturday's game against the Houston Astros and will likely be out for at least a month. In the first game without the Pasquatch on Sunday against the Astros, Jac Caglianone will move to first base and bat third, while Lane Thomas makes the start in right field and bats eighth against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti. The 28-year-old Pasquantino has only hit .224 (57-for-254) this year, but he went 14-for-47 (.298) with a homer, three doubles, seven RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 12 games in June. The former 11th-round pick in 2019 out of Old Dominion University hit a career-best 32 long balls and drove in 113 runs in 160 games a year ago, but he's only at six homers so far in 2026. Despite the disappointing start to 2026, Pasquantino is deserving of being stashed in most fantasy leagues for his power upside while he heals.

5 days ago

Alex Lange • RP • Royals

Alex Lange Struggles Again, Losing Grip on the Royals Closer Job?

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alex Lange (0-4) took the loss in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Astros. Lange allowed a run on one hit and a walk while striking out one across 1 2/3 innings. He had been rolling earlier in the season, posting nine straight scoreless appearances from May 20 through June 9 before giving up three runs over his last two outings. On the year, Lange owns a 4.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 32 innings. He's shown the ability to miss bats in those spots, evidenced by his 9.9 K/9. With some recent inconsistency in the Royals' bullpen and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still on the injured list, the Royals could turn back to Lucas Erceg if he continues to struggle. Despite his recent hiccups, Lange is still widely available (25% of Yahoo Leagues) and is worth rostering for fantasy managers searching for saves.

5 days ago

Vinnie Pasquantino • 1B • Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino Suffers Hamate Injury on Saturday

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) left Saturday night's game against the Houston Astros with a right hand/hamate injury, according to the team. Pasquantino came out of the game after popping up in the fifth inning. The 28-year-old could be looking at an absence of at least a month if he fractured the hamate bone in his hand, so fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Before leaving the contest, Pasquantino went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a strikeout in the eventual 8-7 loss to Houston at Kauffman Stadium. The timing of his injury comes at a bad time, too, as the Pasquatch has been hot at the plate lately. In 12 games in June, he has gone 14-for-47 (.298) with a home run, three doubles, seven RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base to raise his season slash line to .224/.309/.350 in 291 plate appearances. If Pasquantino lands on the injured list with his hamate injury, Jac Caglianone would most likely take over duties at first base for the Royals going forward.

5 days ago

Cole Ragans • SP • Royals

Cole Ragans Suffers Setback, Will Undergo Additional Testing

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow) had a setback and will undergo additional testing, manager Matt Quatraro told Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "Cole woke up yesterday, not feeling as well arm-wise. So, when he came out to play catch yesterday, he had to cut it short. So we're going to get him some more testing in the next couple of days," Quatraro said. Ragans cut his throwing session short on Friday. The 28-year-old southpaw initially went on the 15-day injured list with a left-elbow impingement, and with his latest setback, he most likely won't be able to return before the mid-July All-Star break. Ragans was a first-time All-Star in 2024 but has dealt with injuries since, only making 13 starts in 2025 and just eight starts so far in 2026 due to his elbow troubles. Before going on the IL, he was 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA (6.19 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks in 35 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout upside makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues, but managers will need to be patient, as it doesn't look like he's going to return until the second half of the season now.

5 days ago

Kris Bubic • SP • Royals

Kris Bubic Suffers Setback in First Rehab Outing

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (shoulder) suffered a setback in his recovery as he exited his first rehab outing early on Tuesday. Bubic allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings during the outing with Triple-A Omaha. Manager Matt Quatraro said Bubic's forearm feels good, but his shoulder did not respond well to the start. Bubic is scheduled to see a doctor this weekend for further evaluation. Bubic was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 with left elbow soreness after his May 14 start against the White Sox, but will now be further evaluated for another injury. What was initially expected to be a short absence has dragged on. In nine starts before the injury, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA. Managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should still view him as a viable stash option heading into Week 12, as he was very productive on the bump last season, logging 116 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.55 ERA.

6 days ago

Carlos Estévez • RP • Royals

Carlos Estevez Ramping Up Intensity and Volume

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has begun throwing from flat ground and has ramped up both the intensity and volume of his work. While there have been no reports regarding the total number of throws or the distance involved, it is nonetheless a positive sign for a pitcher who has missed most of the season with a right rotator cuff strain. There is no timetable for his return, nor is it known what the next steps in his recovery will be, but it is evident that the 33-year-old is on the mend and moving in the right direction. The Royals will likely continue to bring him along slowly, given the nature of the injury and concerns surrounding his velocity during Spring Training. When he does return, there is no guarantee he will reclaim the role of the team's closer, despite the uncertainty developing at the back end of the bullpen between Lucas Erceg and Alex Lange.

6 days ago

Cole Ragans • SP • Royals

Cole Ragans Tosses Second Bullpen

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) threw his second successful bullpen session on Friday. He did this just two days after tossing 23 pitches on Wednesday. The fact that he continues to make progress and is able to keep throwing is a positive sign, considering he has missed more than a month with a left elbow impingement and also experienced a setback during his recovery. The next steps for the 28-year-old southpaw will be determined after this weekend and will be based on how he feels. If he emerges without any issues and is ready to continue throwing, he could begin facing live hitters shortly thereafter. All that being said, there is currently no timetable in place for his return. Ragans has struggled to find success this season, posting just one win in eight starts. Both his 4.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP are the highest those marks have been since his rookie campaign, though injuries may have played a role in his disappointing season.

6 days ago

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