Injuries & Moves: Selby recalled, Bowlan optioned to Triple-A Omaha
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April 30: RHP Colin Selby recalled from Triple-A Omaha, RHP Jonathan Bowlan optioned to Triple-A Omaha
The Royals need a fresh arm in the bullpen after the unit was taxed Monday night, so they'll get their first look at Selby, whom they acquired on April 7 from the Pirates after they designated him for assignment. The 26-year-old reliever made his Major League debut with Pittsburgh last season, allowing 24 runs in 24 innings with 30 strikeouts in 2023. Selby only pitched in five games with Omaha since joining the affiliate but allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Royals are intrigued by his mid-to-upper 90s fastball -- both a sinker and a four-seam -- and two breaking balls. He's been working on his delivery and usages since the trade, and he'll be available for multiple innings if needed.
"Just working on the direction, which would carry over into all my pitches," Selby said. "I felt like my path was getting flat and rotational, and I wanted it to be more upright to have the breaking balls where they were."
The move rules Bowlan, who allowed four runs in 2 2/3 innings Monday night, out for the next time the Royals need a fifth starter in place of Alec Marsh, who is on the injured list until at least May 10. The Royals will decide who will make that start closer to the date, but they could avoid it all together by using Thursday's off-day to reset the rotation and use four starters this time through.
“That's a possibility to reset the rotation a little depending on how the next couple of days go," manager Matt Quatraro said. "We have to consider all the options we have available, whether it’s guys we have currently here or guys in Triple-A.”
INACTIVE LIST
RHP Jordan Lyles (personal matter)
Expected return: TBD
The Royals placed Lyles on the inactive list on April 20. The team is not disclosing the reason for Lyles’ absence other than describing it as a “personal matter.” There’s no timeline for his return, as the Royals are letting him take the time he needs. Because of the type of inactive list Lyles was placed on, it opened a 40-man roster spot for the Royals, which they utilized on April 22 by promoting righty reliever Tyler Duffey. (Last updated: April 22)
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Alec Marsh (right elbow contusion)
Expected return: Mid-May
Marsh exited his start on April 24 against the Blue Jays after a 91.2 mph comebacker hit him in the right elbow, leading to a bruise and swelling in his flexor area. X-rays were negative, but the Royals still placed Marsh on the 15-day IL on April 25 to allow for the swelling to go down and recover completely before getting back into the rotation. They're hoping it's a minimum stint, which would mean Marsh could return as early as May 10. Marsh threw a bullpen session on April 29 in Toronto and hasn't been limited when throwing. (Last updated: April 30)
RHP Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: May
Hernández began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on April 26 but has yet to pitch in a game because all three games over the weekend were rained out in Omaha. Once Hernández does get in a game, he'll continue his ramp-up with hopes of joining the Royals' bullpen in May. He's been sidelined since early Spring Training because of shoulder pain and was placed on the 15-day IL on Opening Day. (Last updated: April 29)
LHP Jake Brentz (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Brentz was placed on the injured list on March 28 after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The timeline for his recovery was six weeks at the time.
Brentz was sent on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on April 21, but he'll take things slow as he comes back from an extensive injury history, including Tommy John surgery in 2022, a lat strain last year and the hamstring strain this year. Pitchers can spend up to 30 days on a rehab assignment.
"He's feeling good," Quatraro said on April 26. "His body feels good. He weathered the storm with the hamstring, and now it's just a matter of getting out there and pitching." (Last updated: April 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Josh Taylor (left arm/biceps nerve injury)
Expected return: Second half of the season
Taylor felt soreness when he was warming up for his March 17 Cactus League outing and was shut down afterward with left biceps soreness. The lefty reliever was diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve injury, and his timeline to return is unknown, as he'll be shut down from throwing until his biceps and upper arm regain strength. Taylor was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 7 to make room for Colin Selby on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: April 7)
LHP Kris Bubic (left elbow surgery)
Expected return: Mid-season
Bubic opted for full ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery in April 2023 and has had a smooth recovery so far, targeting the middle of 2024 as a potential return date. He’s rehabbing at the Royals’ facility in Surprise, Ariz., and threw his first bullpen of the spring on Feb. 20. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 23 to make room for Austin Nola. Bubic has about two months of side sessions with increasing intensity before facing hitters, and the Royals are hopeful Bubic can head to a rehab assignment by May or June. (Last updated: March 28)
RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Royals traded for Wright in November in exchange for Jackson Kowar knowing Wright was coming off shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. They made the move thinking ahead a year, foreseeing how Wright, who will be 29 in '25, could help after he led the Majors with 21 wins and posted a 3.19 ERA in '22. Pitchers who have this procedure typically take a year to return, and Wright is rehabbing in Kansas City with the goal of having a normal, non-rehabbing offseason later this year. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 17 to make room for reliever John Schreiber on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: March 28)