Ragans was diagnosed with a mild left groin strain Friday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Ragans was pulled from his start Thursday after three innings due to his groin injury. Manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that the team will hold off on putting the left-hander on the injured list for now and instead wait a few days to see how he responds to treatment. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Rays and could avoid missing a turn through the rotation if his condition improves by then.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Leaves start with groin injury
Rotowire
Ragans was removed from his start Thursday against the Rockies due to groin tightness.
Ragans made it through just three innings in the first game of Thursday's twin bill, during which he surrendered four runs on three hits (including two homers) and two walks while punching out four batters. The Royals haven't offered any specifics on the severity of the left-hander's injury, so it's unknown if he'll be able to make his next scheduled start against the Rays next week, but he'll presumably undergo tests in the near future to determine his availability.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Takes first loss
Rotowire
Ragans (1-1) took the loss Friday against the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters across four-plus innings.
Pitching at an 18 K/9 pace typically indicates a strong performance from a pitcher, but that was just about the only positive thing Ragans had going for him Friday. He squandered an early lead by allowing an RBI single in the second inning and began pitching from behind after giving up a solo shot to Andy Ibanez in the fourth. Ragans came back out for the start of the fifth frame but was quickly pulled after allowing the first three batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score. The swing-and-miss specialist now carries a 3.58 ERA following his tough outing, though he should have a good chance to bounce back during his next start against a Rockies lineup that strikes out 10.8 times per game.
Ragans (1-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over 7.2 innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over Cleveland.
Ragans stumbled in the second inning, giving up an RBI double to Daniel Schneemann, who would come around to score on an error. After that, Ragans was dialed in and retired 18 of the next 19 batters he faced. He forced 20 whiffs and has generated at least 16 in three straight outings. The 27-year-old is sporting a 2.28 ERA with a terrific 34:4 K:BB through four starts. Ragans' next start is expected to be in Detroit.
Ragans did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Twins. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out 11 across six innings.
Ragans dominated right out of the gate Tuesday, punching out nine of the first 17 batters faced and striking out the side in the third frame. His only blemish came in the fifth inning, when he gave up an RBI single. While the Twins' offense wasn't able to generate enough runs for him to earn the win, it was Ragans' second quality start in a row. The 27-year-old southpaw generated 18 whiffs and 15 first-pitch strikes, and he has logged 21 punchouts over his last two starts. Ragans' next start is slated for Sunday's series finale against the Guardians on the road, where he'll look to earn his first win of 2025.
Ragans recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed one run on five hits and two walks across five innings Wednesday in Milwaukee. He did not factor in the decision.
Jackson Chourio started the scoring with a solo homer during the first inning, but Ragans then blanked the Brewers by scattering baserunners for the next four frames. The left-hander showcased his stuff and generated 20 whiffs, but 21 foul balls drove up his pitch count and helped result in an early exit. Ragans has yet to provide much length in his first two starts of 2025, going five frames in both outings; however, he's pitched well, allowing four runs and posting a 13:4 K:BB. A home matchup with the Twins likely awaits him early next week.
Ragans did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 10-inning loss to the Guardians. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings while striking out three.
Ragans had to contend with traffic for most of his outing, as the Guardians had men on base in all but two innings. The left-hander was ultimately forced out of the game after Carlos Santana led off the sixth with a base hit. Expectations are understandably high for Ragans this year after he pitched to a 3.14 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts in 32 starts last season. He currently lines up to face the Brewers on the road in his next outing.
Manager Matt Quatraro announced Thursday that Ragans will start Opening Day against the Guardians on March 27, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The announcement comes after Ragans surrendered two runs across 2.2 innings on 83 pitches in a Cactus League game against the Rockies on Sunday. The 27-year-old has had a bumpy spring training, but in 2024 he notched a 3.14 ERA across 186.1 innings in 32 games. This will be the ace's second Opening Day start after getting the nod in 2024.
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