Kolek, Cruz recalled as Ragans heads to the IL for the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After exiting his last start early, the Kansas City Royals ace is headed to the injured list, the club announced on Friday.

Left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans is now on the 15-day IL with a left elbow impingement. The stint is retroactive to Thursday, May 7. The news comes after Ragans left a start after just three innings of work vs. the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.

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Ragans left that game citing left elbow soreness, and MLB.com’s Anne Rogers confirmed on Thursday that Ragans had valgus extension overload, or pitcher’s elbow.

It’s not a great sign for the Royals’ Opening Day starter, who has struggled to put together a healthy season of work outside of 2024 with the Royals. So far in 2026, he’s been inconsistent as well, posting a 4.84 ERA over 35.1 innings pitched.

Later on Friday, Rogers reported that the IL stint for Ragans is expected to be short, but is still dependent on how he feels after three to four days off of throwing.

“It’s never fun to go on the IL,” Ragans said. “But pretty optimistic that I’ll bounce back pretty quick.”

In the same announcement, the Royals announced that RHP Steven Cruz is being recalled from AAA Omaha, along with RHP Stephen Kolek. Kolek will likely fill in for Ragans during his missed starts, while Cruz will replace RHP Eric Cerantola in the bullpen.