When will KC Royals star Cole Ragans return? Here’s the earliest date possible
Kansas City Royals star Cole Ragans hit a significant benchmark as he recovers from a left rotator cuff strain.
On Monday, Ragans began throwing once again. It was a light workout session as he played catch from a short distance. The Royals plan to gradually elevate his rehabilitation as he regains strength in his left shoulder.
As a result, Ragans was transferred to the 60-day injured list. It was a procedural move to open a 40-man roster spot and promote red-hot rookie infielder Cam Devanney from Triple-A Omaha.
Ragans is eligible to return on Aug. 7. However, the Royals expect him to need additional recovery time ahead of that date.
“This is going to be a process,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He threw yesterday for the first time at 60 feet. I mean, he is not anywhere near getting off the mound. He is doing the every-other-day thing for right now and literally taking it day by day to see how he feels.”
Ragans was placed on the injured list June 11 (retroactive to June 8). He has missed 25 games after posting a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts.
The Royals remain cautious with the injury. Ragans got a second opinion and didn’t require surgery. Instead, Ragans was sidelined four weeks to allow his shoulder to heal.
Prior to Tuesday’s game, Ragans threw footballs during another workout.
“It was not a risk for us to do that,” Quatraro said of Ragans being on the 60-day injured list.
The Royals have afforded more opportunities to rookie left-hander Noah Cameron in recent weeks. Cameron replaced Ragans in the starting rotation and fit seamlessly alongside Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen.
KC hopes Ragans can return for the final stretch of the season. The club has aspirations to make the postseason for the second year in a row. Ragans, who was named a 2024 All-Star, holds a key role in the starting unit.
Since his injury, the Royals have gone 10-15 overall. A healthy Ragans gives the Royals six capable starters to deploy as needed.
Ragans joins Alec Marsh, James McArthur and Hunter Harvey on the 60-day injured list. Marsh and McArthur haven’t pitched this season. Harvey has been sidelined since April 11 with a right teres major strain.
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM with the headline "When will KC Royals star Cole Ragans return? Here’s the earliest date possible."
