KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals placed starting pitchers Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo on the 15-day injured list Saturday. It’s a significant setback for a team holding a respectable 25-20 record, good for third in the AL Central. Ragans is out with a groin injury for the second time this season, while Lugo is managing a sprained finger. The Royals’ rotation is now without two of last year’s top four Cy Young finishers for at least a couple of weeks.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/I4FpHJTnGs
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 17, 2025
Royals Place Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo on Injured List
Pitching Impact
Ragans, 27, has been an anchor in 2025. Despite a 4.53 ERA through nine starts, he also has 72 strikeouts (T-4 in American League) and a 1.204 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings. His standout performance came on May 10, striking out 11 New York Yankees over five innings. Lugo, 35, has been equally as important, posting a 3.02 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and a 1.094 WHIP across 56 2/3 innings in nine starts. He shone on April 25, allowing just one run over eight innings against the Houston Astros.
Injury Concerns and Timeline
Manager Matt Quatraro addressed the injuries during a press conference Saturday, expressing cautious hope. “It just tightened up on [Ragans], so he couldn’t really get down the hill,” Quatraro told MLB.com, noting the groin issue emerged during a start against the St. Louis Cardinals. On Lugo, he said, “We knew pregame he’d miss this turn due to the finger inflammation.” MLB.com’s Anne Rogers reported that Ragans’ injury might require careful monitoring. Groin strains can linger, while Lugo’s finger sprain is less concerning but requires rest to avoid re-aggravation.
Filling the Gaps
The Royals are turning to their depth to replace the two all-star caliber starters. Kris Bubic, a 27-year-old left-hander with a 3.86 ERA in 14 relief outings this season, is the likely replacement for Ragans. Veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who holds a 4.15 ERA in 2025, is expected to step in for Lugo, bringing experience to the rotation. Rookie left-handed pitchers Noah Cameron and Evan Sisk got the call from Triple-A Omaha to fill out the 40-man roster. “We’ve got guys coming, and we have a lot of confidence in them,” Quatraro told MLB.com. With additional injuries to Kyle Wright and Alec Marsh, the Royals face a challenging stretch as they aim to stay in Wild Card contention and make a push throughout the summer for the division.
Photo Credit: © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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