KC Royals expect Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to return next week
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- Royals may rely on injured pitchers Ragans, Lugo and Wacha for late-season push
- Ragans nears return after strong rehab start, including seven strikeouts
- Kansas City faces playoff pressure with 14 games left and limited margin
The Kansas City Royals are clinging to slim playoff hopes. The path to October is littered with obstacles, and the club is short on time.
Entering Saturday, there were 14 games left in the regular season. The Royals can’t afford to drop more than a contest or two — and even then they may need some assistance from other teams.
“The time is now,” Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. said after Friday’s loss. The Royals fell 8-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
This weekend, the Royals conclude a seven-game road trip against the Phillies. And then, help could be on the way.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro relayed that starting pitchers Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are close to returning from the injured list. All three are progressing from various ailments.
Ragans is lined up for another side session on Sunday. He pitched 3 ⅔ innings during a second rehab start with Triple-A Omaha Friday night. Ragans allowed one hit, two walks and recorded seven strikeouts.
Ragans is likely to come off the injured list soon. He could pitch during the Royals’ upcoming homestand after missing 81 games with a left rotator cuff strain.
“He came out of it today and said he feels fantastic,” Quatraro said. “So that was all really encouraging.”
The Royals will open a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Ragans could be lined up to start in the series. He owns a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts this season.
Lugo is also making strides. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with a low back strain. He recently threw a bullpen and is scheduled for another Monday before the Royals determine the next steps.
Wacha was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. He resumed throwing and will continue to be evaluated in the upcoming days.
“He threw at 100% today and he will have a side I think tomorrow (Sunday),” Quatraro said.
Wacha is unlikely to require a rehab start or face live hitters. He will be able to return to the starting rotation once medically cleared.
“It’s like he missed one start,” Quatraro said. “So almost like the All-Star Break. He’s been through stuff like this before, whether it’s injury or time off related.”
The Royals have utilized young starters Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek with the veteran trio sidelined. KC could move either pitcher to the bullpen or make a roster move upon the return of Ragans, Wacha and Lugo.
“That’s the big question mark,” Quatraro said. “We are still hopeful of having Wacha, Ragans and Lugo all coming back. We have to nail down each specific day and work through the plans for that. But that’s our hope.”
Bergert started Friday’s game against the Phillies. Kolek looked sharp in his recent outing against the Cleveland Guardians. He allowed one run in 6 ⅔ innings and registered four strikeouts.
“I think it’s exciting because the guys you are talking about — Bergert, Kolek, (Noah) Cameron — are the main three that have stepped up to throw a bunch of innings for us,” Quatraro said. “And they have been really quality innings.”
The Royals will start Cameron on Sunday afternoon against the Phillies. Then, the club will have an off-day Monday before deciding on the rotation for Tuesday’s series against Seattle.
The Royals (74-74) entered Saturday six games back of the Mariners (80-68) in the American League Wild Card standings.
This story was originally published September 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM with the headline "KC Royals expect Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to return next week."
