Ragans set to begin rehab assignment on Sunday

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals are one step closer to getting their ace back.

Cole Ragans is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Omaha, manager Matt Quatraro said on Friday, the next major step in Ragans’ recovery from a left rotator cuff strain that has had him sidelined since June.

The 27-year-old lefty is scheduled to throw two innings, which likely translates to 30-45 pitches, against the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, Iowa, after he threw a two-up live BP session at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday.

The Royals are still taking Ragans’ rehab process day by day and will need to see how he pitches and recovers from Sunday to determine the next steps. The schedule will be a factor in that process, as Omaha’s season ends on Sept. 21 -- two weeks from Sunday. If Ragans stays on a traditional five-day schedule, he could potentially fit in two or three rehab starts, but that’s not enough time for him to be fully built up and return in the last week of the Royals’ regular season.

Ragans could potentially return to the Majors built up to three or four innings or on a specific pitch count, with the Royals making sure their bullpen is ready to cover the innings after he exits.

“We know we don’t have the time to get him built up to five or six innings,” Quatraro said. “So when he feels well, we’re hopeful to get him back.”

Quatraro confirmed the Royals would want Ragans, who finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting last year, in their rotation when he comes back.

And the Royals will welcome him back with open arms. Their rotation has been hit with several injuries this year, with Ragans spending two stints on the IL this season, first with a left groin strain (15-day) and this current stay (60-day). Kris Bubic is out for the season with a left rotator cuff strain. Seth Lugo is on the 15-day IL with a low back strain. Kansas City has been lucky to have the steadiness of Michael Wacha and the excellent contributions from rookies Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert this year. The club is eager to see Stephen Kolek step into the rotation in Lugo’s place on Saturday, following his Royals debut a week ago, in which he pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Tigers.

But not much will compare to seeing Ragans back on the mound -- especially if he’s the version of himself that the Royals have come to rely on since they acquired him in 2023.

Sunday will be a major step toward getting there again.