Cole Ragans placed on the Injured List

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals exits the game after being injured during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Royals announced they have placed pitcher Cole Ragans on the 15-day Injured List with left elbow impingement. Ragans exited his start on Wednesday after four innings with what was reported as soreness and tightness in tricep and the back of his elbow.

Anne Rogers reported he had “valgus extension overload”, also known as “pitcher’s elbow” that can result from repetitive throwing. Yordano Ventura suffered a similar injury in 2014 and missed one start. To replace Ragans in the rotation, the Royals recalled pitcher Stephen Kolek, who gave the Royals six innings on Tuesday, allowing just three runs.

In six starts with the Royals over the last two seasons Kolek has given them six Quality Starts, defined as outings with six or more innings, with three or fewer runs allowed. The Royals also recalled pitcher Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha and returned Eric Cerantola to the Storm Chasers. Cerantola made his Major League debut on Wednesday, and appeared in two games this week, allowing three runs in three innings.

Cruz has given up eight runs with seven strikeouts and four walks in five innings in a previous stint with the Royals this season.