The Kansas City Royals have not made any notable additions to the pitching staff this offseason. A big reason for that is the presence of left-handed ace Cole Ragans, who is expected to enter the 2026 season at full health after missing significant time last year.
The 28-year-old made just 13 starts and posted a 4.67 ERA while battling a left groin strain and later a left rotator cuff strain that nearly ended his season.
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Still, there is optimism that Ragans can return to the form he showed during his breakout, as he struck out 98 batters in only 61 2/3 innings in 2025.
Ragans has surfaced in trade rumors as the Royals seek offensive upgrades, but midway through the winter it appears he will remain in Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (55)Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Ragans’ focus has momentarily shifted away from baseball as the new year begins. On Wednesday, he and his wife Tori shared a personal announcement.
Accompanied by a series of photos, the couple posted an ultrasound image revealing they are expecting their first child. “An extra special bump day coming this summer 🤍,” the caption read.
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Ragans’ journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers in 2016, he battled injuries early in his career and did not debut until 2022.
His first taste of the big leagues was rocky, as he struggled to find consistency and command. In 2023, however, his career took a dramatic turn when the Rangers traded him to Kansas City in exchange for veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman.
Almost immediately, Ragans found his stride with the Royals, flashing dominant stuff in the second half of that season and cementing himself as a fixture in the rotation.
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The pinnacle came in 2024, when Ragans delivered one of the best pitching seasons in franchise history. He earned his first All-Star selection, finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting and helped lead Kansas City back to the postseason.
Over 32 starts, he posted a 3.14 ERA and struck out 223 batters, showcasing both durability and dominance. That campaign established him as the ace of the staff and gave the Royals confidence that they had a frontline arm to build around.
Now, with his health restored and his personal life bringing new joy, Ragans enters 2026 looking to recapture that form and once again anchor Kansas City’s rotation.
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Related: Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. Shares Move Outside MLB
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source sports.yahoo.com ’
