Kolek makes first start for Royals since welcoming daughter during emotional week

KANSAS CITY – It would have been understandable, given the week Stephen Kolek has been through, for his mind to be elsewhere when he took the mound Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

When he went out there, though, he tried to keep the same approach that has gotten him this far: Stay in the moment and keep it pitch-by-pitch.

A nine-pitch first inning was as good a start as any for Kolek, but he labored with a 42-pitch, three-run second inning that ultimately ended his night early in the Royals’ 5-2 loss to the Rays on another quiet offensive night.

Nevertheless, getting Kolek back in the Royals’ rotation was a good thing, especially understanding what he and his family have been through lately.

“I’m doing all right,” Kolek said. “It’s definitely been a roller coaster of a week, mostly spending it in the hospital. It’s definitely good to get back out here and get back out on the mound. Obviously, today didn’t go quite as well as I’d like, but nonetheless, good to be back.”

On June 25, Kolek’s daughter, Faye, was born seven weeks premature at just 3 pounds and 15 ounces. She’s been in the neonatal intensive care unit since, but both she and Kolek’s wife, Jessica, are doing well.

“She’s on the road, on a good progression and getting back there,” Kolek said of his daughter. “Just super thankful for all the doctors and nurses involved. My amount of respect that I have for all the NICU nurses – they’re amazing. Hats off to all those nurses and doctors there, and just very thankful for them.”

Kolek’s last start came on June 21 against the Cardinals, when he allowed nine runs in 1 2/3 innings. He went with the team to St. Petersburg for last week’s road trip but left early to fly home to Texas, where Faye was born a week ago. Because a player can only be on the paternity list for a maximum of three days, the Royals transferred Kolek to the family medical emergency list on Monday, allowing him to stay in Texas.

They didn’t know if he’d be able to make Thursday’s start when his spot in the rotation came up again, but by Wednesday, he was on his way back to Kansas City.

With 10 days in between starts, the Royals were going to be cautious with Kolek. They were eyeing a pitch count in the 65-75 range, but after the 42-pitch second inning, manager Matt Quatraro turned to the bullpen, where long reliever Randy Dobnak was available.

“It’s 40-something pitches, and the heat, being away for 10 days, just general fatigue,” Quatraro said. “Talking to him between innings, we just wanted to be cautious that he wasn’t going to injure himself.”

Kolek understood the move. Keeping his arm in shape while at the hospital wasn’t the easiest thing to do; he said he played catch when he could, most of his time was spent supporting his wife and daughter.

The freshness from 10 days in between starts was apparent in the first inning – his velo was up across the board – but it wore off after the long second. The Rays knocked him for four hits, including two that gave right fielder Kameron Misner trouble, and a walk before Kolek was able to get out of it.

“I was obviously very tired, but I was like, ‘I’m still feeling OK,’ but they wanted to play it safe,” Kolek said. “Forty-two pitches in one inning is a lot, and definitely was feeling the fatigue and needed a minute. I think they ultimately made the decision to play it safe and not push through something, just given the week that I’ve had. It’s probably not the smartest idea to go back out right there.”

Kolek said he’ll be ready to go for his next start. That’s welcome news for the Royals, whose depth is being challenged mightily right now with injuries. But they also have been steadfast in their support of Kolek and his family, with teammates, coaches and front office members sending messages and knowing that what he has been going through is much bigger than baseball.

“He and his wife have been going through a lot with the birth of their child,” said catcher Carter Jensen, who hit a leadoff homer Thursday. “Thankfully, everything is good with that. Just trying to help support him in any way we can. For him to come out and compete the way he did tonight – I know he didn’t get the result he wanted, but it shows a lot for him to be able to do that.”