How soon will Cole Ragans return from injury? Royals provide encouraging update
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- Cole Ragans will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha this weekend.
- The Royals scheduled Ragans for four to five innings with a 65‑pitch limit.
- Cole Ragans is recovering from a left elbow impingement that sidelined him in May.
Kansas City Royals All-Star ace pitcher Cole Ragans is progressing towards a return from the 15-day injured list.
On Friday, the Royals shared a pivotal update about their prized left-hander: Ragans will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha this weekend.
He is set to start Saturday’s game for the Storm Chasers against the St. Paul Saints — the Triple-A minor-league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
“We have him scheduled for four to five innings,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “(It’s) 65 pitches, something like that. You know, see how far he goes on that number of pitches.”
Ragans is recovering from a left-elbow impingement. He initially felt discomfort during a recent start against the Cleveland Guardians. He lasted three innings before exiting that game, played on May 6.
It was determined that Ragans had Valgus Extension Overload (VEO), or “pitcher’s elbow.” The pain was on the back of his elbow and he received a lubricant injection to help loosen the affected area.
Since then, Ragans has continued to throw. He has built up his pitching activity and could be activated after Saturday’s rehab start.
“Well, that’s the hope,” Quatraro said. “He threw the two bullpens and got stretched out down there. And, it hasn’t been all that long since he pitched. So if he didn’t feel well or something, we wouldn’t be putting that on the table.”
Ragans felt well after his recent bullpens. In eight starts, he has a 4.84 ERA (35 1/3 innings).
The Royals will welcome his return to the starting rotation. He will slot back in alongside Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Noah Cameron and Stephen Kolek. Kris Bubic is dealing with left-elbow soreness.
This season, KC starters own a combined 13-17 record with a 4.15 combined ERA. Opponents are hitting .240 against him, with 32 homers in 50 games.
This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 6:24 PM with the headline "How soon will Cole Ragans return from injury? Royals provide encouraging update."
