KANSAS CITY -- Stephen Kolek made a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Saturday with the expectation that he could return to the club as soon as this week. But now, the timeline for the Royals right-hander’s return is unknown due to a right flexor strain that forced an early exit Saturday.
Kolek was making a rehab start due to his extended absence from the team following the birth of his daughter, Faye, who was born seven weeks premature on June 25. Outside of one start on July 1, Stephen has been in the hospital with Faye and his wife, Jessica. The Royals have supported him being away and taking care of his family, placing him on the family medical emergency list three times, the paternity list once when Faye was born and, most recently, the restricted list on July 11.
Fortunately for the Kolek family, Faye has progressed well enough that Stephen was able to make a return-to-play plan with the Royals, which included one rehab start on Saturday.
Kolek had recorded two outs in the third inning when he allowed two singles, hit a batter and allowed a two-run single. He then yanked a sweeper to Paul McIntosh but didn’t have an immediate reaction. However, Omaha pitching coach Dane Johnson came out to the mound and motioned for a trainer, and the Storm Chasers made a pitching change while Kolek left with the trainer.
Originally scheduled for four innings or 65 pitches entering the rehab start, Kolek ended up throwing 51 pitches (30 strikes) across 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with no walks, a hit batter and three strikeouts.
“He said he didn’t feel great playing catch, but then as he got on the mound, he felt better,” manager Matt Quatraro said Sunday morning. “The first couple of innings were pretty good. In the third inning, he felt more aggressive discomfort. They thought it was best to get him out of there.”
Kolek will get imaging done on Monday to determine the severity and next steps. The Royals reinstated him from the restricted list/family medical emergency list on Sunday and placed him on the 15-day injured list.
The injury was an unexpected development in Kolek’s progression. He tried to stay on his throwing program while with his family, but it’s been over two weeks since his last start, and close to a month since he’s been on a regular starting routine. So, the Royals explored ways to get him a tune-up start before he rejoined the rotation full-time as a way to combat the interruption and protect both Kolek’s arm and the team.
Players on the restricted list typically aren’t allowed to go on a rehab assignment, but the Royals approached Major League Baseball about it due to Kolek’s unique situation. Ultimately, the Royals received permission for Kolek’s rehab outing on Saturday.
Now, Kansas City is facing more questions regarding Kolek’s injury. It’s yet another pitcher injury the Royals are dealing with in a season where their depth has been constantly tested.