Royals' Cole Ragans told to rest for four weeks

Field Level Media|published: 06/18/2025, 10:12pm EDT

Jun 5, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced Wednesday that All-Star starting pitcher Cole Ragans won't throw for four weeks in an effort to calm his mild rotator cuff strain.

"No surgery," Quatraro told reporters. "No injection. Just rest."

Ragans, who was placed on the 15-day injured list June 11, has not pitched since June 5. If he fulfills the Royals' plan for four weeks of rest since his last outing, then the earliest the 27-year-old left-hander will resume throwing is July 4.

After earning 2024 All-Star Game recognition to highlight his 11-9 season and 3.14 ERA, Ragans has fashioned a 2-3 record with a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts this year.

While those statistics suggest Ragans has struggled, he's averaging 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings, which leads all MLB starters. According to Baseball Savant, Ragans' strong peripheral numbers give him an expected ERA of 2.61 while his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is 2.19.

--Field Level Media