Cole Ragans is nearing a return to the Majors.
The Royals’ left-hander made his first rehab start for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Ragans struck out six batters, walked one and threw 43 of 62 pitches for strikes.
It’s expected that this will be Ragans’ only rehab start before he slots back into the Royals' rotation late next week. Ragans was placed on the injured list on May 17 with a left groin strain, a recurring issue that caused him to leave early from his May 16 start against the Cardinals. Ragans also had a start skipped in April due to the groin issue.
In nine starts this season, Ragans has a 4.53 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. That ERA is almost certainly a fluke, however, as his 2.25 expected ERA is more than two runs lower, and his 1.98 FIP is also lower.
In fact, Ragans’ underlying numbers look even better than his dominant 2024 season, when he had a 3.14 ERA, 223 strikeouts and 4.9 FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement, which culminated in him finishing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
The return of Ragans -- as well as the recently activated Seth Lugo -- will only bolster a Royals rotation that entered Saturday tied for second with 6.3 WAR and third with a 3.10 ERA. A group consisting of Ragans, Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen -- not to mention standout rookie Noah Cameron -- is one of the best in baseball.