Royals’ Noah Cameron shoved in KC loss. It was enough to keep him in the rotation
Kansas City Royals rookie Noah Cameron has done everything possible to solidify his place on the active roster.
In fact, he has been nearly flawless.
Cameron continued his hot stretch in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched six scoreless innings in the Royals’ 6-5 extra-inning loss at Busch Stadium, taking a no-decision.
Afterward, the St. Joseph, Missouri native waited for the Royals (32-30) to decide his fate. They have six healthy starting pitchers, as Cole Ragans was expected to be activated ahead of Thursday’s Game 2 start. Ragans is returning from a left-groin strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list.
“I’m obviously ready for it,” Cameron said of his roster status. “Whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my control. I’ve done as much as I can and I’ll be grateful and thankful for whatever.”
Cameron didn’t have to wait long. The Royals designated right-handed pitcher Thomas Hatch for assignment — he’d been recalled from Triple-A Omaha for the doubleheader — meaning Cameron remains in the majors.
“In my mind, and I guess what I tell people, (is) it’s what I expect out of myself,” Cameron said. “You know, obviously having high expectations.”
It’s unlikely the Royals will employ a six-man pitching rotation, given the multiple off-days awaiting them this month. Yet there is a chance that Cameron will keep on getting regular starts.
Michael Lorenzen has been starting games but could move to the bullpen. The Royals could use their depth of starting pitching to give their usual starters some additional rest.
The club’s probable starting pitchers for this weekend’s series against the Chicago White Sox looks like this: All-Star ace Seth Lugo will start Friday night, followed by veteran right-handers Michael Wacha Saturday and Lorenzen Sunday.
Notably, left-hander Kris Bubic was not listed in his normal rotation spot in the order announced by the Royals on Thursday. The club expects to manage his workload after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and returned to being a full-time starter this year.
Bubic is likely to get some extra rest after throwing 75 2/3 innings in 12 starts. He hasn’t eclipsed 130 innings in his career before, but he’s been pitching very well: This week, he was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for May.
Cameron, too, has proven to be a capable starting pitcher in the big leagues. He has a 0.85 ERA in five starts since being promoted from Triple-A Omaha. Opponents are hitting a meager .138 against him in 31 2/3 innings this season.
“Just some of the things people are saying about him I think shows how impressive he is,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said of Cameron. “The way he is able to manipulate multiple different pitches and miss barrels is huge for us.
“He was able to pitch out of a few jams, or at least one that I can remember. To be able to do that, he has been phenomenal. It’s super-impressive to watch and it’s great when he takes the mound for us.”
Cameron has an unflappable demeanor and remains in control throughout each start. In the second inning of Thursday’s doubleheader opener, he walked two consecutive batters. So, prior to facing Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, he got a quick visit from Pasquantino and catcher/team captain Salvador Perez on the mound.
After that, Cameron was able to reset and strike out Arenado. Later, he retired Alec Burleson and Ryan Vilade to end the inning. The Cardinals (34-27) didn’t score until the seventh, tallying all six of their runs off the KC bullpen.
Reliever Taylor Clarke gave up a two-run go-ahead homer to Ivan Herrera in the eighth. Herrera hit a 85.8 mph slider over the center-field wall.
The Royals tied the game in the ninth on Jonathan India’s sacrifice fly. It was India’s second RBI of the day — he hit a leadoff home run to open the game. Pasquantino, who finished 4-for-5 — the second four-hit game of his career — drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th.
But the Royals’ lead didn’t last long. The Cardinals won on Willson Contreras’ walk-off single.
“Big at-bats throughout there,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And again, Vinnie (Pasquantino) with a big at-bat to start the 10th, as well. Just needed to be able to add another one.”
Earlier in the game, Royals rookie Jac Caglianone doubled for his first major-league hit.
In other roster news Thursday, the Royals optioned relief pitcher Andrew Hoffmann. They also transferred top reliever Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list.
Hoffmann will remain with the club for Thursday’s doubleheader. But he was the 27th man, and as such was slated to return to Triple-A Omaha after the nightcap.
This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Royals’ Noah Cameron shoved in KC loss. It was enough to keep him in the rotation."
