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Kansas City Royals star Cole Ragans\u2019 eagerly awaited journey back from the 15-day injured list has hit a slight road bump<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Monday, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the 28-year-old left-handed pitcher is still dealing with left-elbow discomfort stemming from Valgus Extension Overload (VEO) or \u201cpitcher\u2019s elbow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ragans, who made a strong rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, will be sidelined 2-3 days before being re-evaluated by team doctors. He will not throw during that time, but the Royals remain optimistic despite the setback.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to be shut down for a couple days, no throw, and hopefully very similar symptoms that he had before,\u201d Quatraro said. \u201cSo hopefully they resolve in a couple of days and he can resume throwing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ragans\u2019 Saturday rehab start<\/a> with the Storm Chasers couldn\u2019t have gone much better. He gave up a leadoff homer but pitched 4 1\/3 innings, allowing just the one run. His so-called peripheral numbers were encouraging, too, as he threw 44 of his 68 pitches for strikes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trouble surfaced on Sunday, however: Quatraro said Ragans awoke with discomfort in his elbow after feeling good during the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t feel it in the bullpens and he didn\u2019t feel it in the game,\u201d Quatraro said of Ragans\u2019 elbow discomfort. \u201cIt just got flared up from pitching in the game. \u2026 Any time a guy like that doesn\u2019t feel well, it\u2019s not good for us. But, hopefully, these symptoms can resolve and we get him back out there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals are currently without two starters. Ragans is joined on the IL by fellow left-hander Kris Bubic. Bubic experienced soreness in his pitching elbow<\/a> and has been sidelined since May 18 (retroactive to May 15).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Right-hander Stephen Kolek has emerged in their stead. The 29-year-old acquired last year from San Diego has yet to allow a run through two starts. He threw a complete-game shutout<\/a> against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kolek has occupied Ragans\u2019 spot in the rotation. The Royals utilized a bullpen game when Bubic\u2019s turn came up against the Boston Red Sox last week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ragans has a 4.84 ERA in eight starts this season. He has recorded a per-nine strikeout rate of 11.5 while walking 23 batters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 2:19 PM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n