Cole Ragans concerning injury update will catch Royals fans’ attention

Kansas City Royals star Cole Ragans was placed on the 15-day IL due to a left-elbow impingement he suffered during the 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on May 6. Ragans finally started his rehab assignment to begin his process to come back to the majors. However, his latest update reveals he experienced a setback.

Reports indicate that during his first rehab assignment, the 28-year-old left-hander felt discomfort in his elbow that was similar to the pain he felt when he initially sustained the injury, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals will reevaluate Ragans after shutting him down for two or three days.

“Cole Ragans did not bounce back well from his rehab start, manager Matt Quatraro said,” reported Rogers. “Felt similar symptoms with his elbow as before, even though he didn’t feel it while pitching. He’ll be shut down for 2-3 days before being reevaluated.”

Before suffering the elbow injury, Ragans was struggling on the mound to begin the 2026 season. In fact, he hasn’t had much success since the 2024 campaign, where he earned his first and only All-Star nod. Through 35.1 innings pitched this year, Ragans owns a 4.84 ERA and 1.415 WHIP with 45 strikeouts. He’s on pace to have one of the worst seasons of his career so far.

While the five-year veteran remains on the IL, the Royals are leaning on a starting rotation consisting of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Noah Cameron, and Stephen Kolek. Meanwhile, Bailey Falter and Luinder Avila have rotated in for spot starts for the time being. Wacha is getting the start in the club’s Monday game against the New York Yankees.

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