Injuries & Moves: Bubic (Tommy John) to begin rehab assignment
LATEST NEWS
May 6: LHP Kris Bubic (Tommy John surgery) scheduled to begin rehab assignment Tuesday in Arizona
It was a little over a year ago that Bubic opted for full ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery, and his recovery has progressed well enough that the lefty will soon take the mound again in the Arizona Complex League beginning Tuesday. After that, he is expected to move up to the upper levels of the Minor Leagues for the rest of his rehab.
“Usually with the rehab starts, he’ll pitch and get a couple of days off, pitch, then get a couple days off,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “After two or three of those, [you] get onto a starter’s [schedule] every five or six days. … [It’s been] a long process, probably about 13 months or so, and just to get in a real game and get the adrenaline going, I know it’s going to be exciting.”
This is the very beginning of Bubic’s return, so it’ll still be some time before the Royals decide how he fits onto their current roster. But this is a good first step toward returning even before the second half, if all goes well.
May 5: LHP Daniel Lynch IV recalled from Triple-A Omaha; RHP Colin Selby optioned to Triple-A Omaha
In need of a starter on Sunday against the Rangers, the Royals brought Lynch to Kansas City from Omaha for the first time this year, and the lefty shut out the Rangers for five innings in the Royals' eventual 3-2 loss at Kauffman Stadium. The 27-year-old did not make the MLB rotation out of Spring Training and had a 5.86 ERA across six starts in Triple-A to begin the year. He's struck out 22 and walked nine in 27 2/3 innings, and he's focused most on the development of his slider, according to manager Matt Quatraro.
“We came into Spring Training thinking we’re going to need him at some point, whether that was right out of the gate or during the year," Quatraro said. "We’re not going to get through the year with five starters. That just doesn’t happen. So we’re excited to see him here.”
Selby made two appearances with the Royals, including two innings in Saturday night's loss to the Rangers. The 26-year-old reliever made his club debut on Friday with a scoreless ninth inning.
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: May 10
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. He's been throwing bullpens and made a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on May 5, tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one walk. Assuming he recovers fine from that start, he should be in line to return to the Royals' rotation when his spot comes up again on May 10. (Last updated: May 5)
RHP Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: May
Hernández began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on April 26 but didn't pitch much at first because of rainouts in Omaha. Once Hernández does start pitching consistently, he'll continue his ramp-up and show he's healthy in order to return to the Royals bullpen. The righty reliever been sidelined since early Spring Training because of shoulder pain and was placed on the 15-day IL on Opening Day. (Last updated: May 3)
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. (Last updated: April 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
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. After rehabbing at the Royals’ facility in Surprise, Ariz., to begin the season, Bubic is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League on May 7. The left-hander will pitch a few outings there before moving to an upper-level affiliate. (Last updated: May 6)
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)
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)