Injuries & Moves: Marsh placed on 15-day IL, Klein recalled
LATEST NEWS
April 25: RHP Alec Marsh placed on 15-day injured list with right elbow contusion; RHP Will Klein recalled from Triple-A Omaha
The Royals breathed a sigh of relief when X-rays came back negative for any fractures on Marsh’s forearm following a 91.2 mph comebacker on Wednesday night against the Blue Jays. But they still placed him on the IL Thursday morning, proceeding with caution because of the swelling that showed in his flexor area.
“All in all, he’s in good shape," manager Matt Quatraro said. "We’re just playing it safe. He’s got some swelling in there, and he could maybe go out there and maybe not. But we just can’t take that chance with somebody that important to us going forward."
The Royals won't determine who fills Marsh's spot in the rotation until closer to his next turn, which would be Monday in Toronto. For now, they called up Klein, who will make his Major League debut with his first appearance. In Triple-A Omaha this year, Klein has allowed just one unearned run in 11 innings (nine games). He’s struck out 12 and walked six, but has been more in the zone recently.
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 for anything more serious, 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 on the IL, which would mean Marsh could return as early as May 9. (Last updated: April 25)
LHP Jake Brentz (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Brentz was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain after feeling a pull in his left leg during his Spring Training outing on March 17 against the Brewers. The timeline for his recovery was six weeks at the time, and he was placed on the injured list on March 28. Brentz had been rehabbing in Arizona, and the Royals were receiving extremely positive reports about his bullpen sessions, saying that his velocity was getting back to the upper-90s and he was throwing strikes.
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 '22, 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 21)
RHP Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: May
Hernández, who was shut down from throwing early in Spring Training because of shoulder pain, was placed on the 15-day IL on Opening Day. He's been rehabbing in Arizona and is on track in his recovery and throwing program. The Royals expect him to head out on a rehab assignment the week of April 21. (Last updated: April 21)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Josh Taylor (left arm/biceps nerve injury)
Expected return: Second half
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 feeling and he improves 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)