The Kansas City Royals are currently without starting pitcher Cole Ragans due to an elbow injury. On Tuesday, Royals manager Matt Quatraro shared an update on Ragans' injury status, via Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
Ragans reportedly played catch on Sunday and Tuesday. Quatraro said Tuesday was better for Ragans than Sunday. Rogers reports that Ragans is expected to play catch again on Wednesday.
The Royals are hopeful that Ragans will not have to miss too much time.
The 28-year-old pitched to a 4.84 ERA across eight starts before suffering the injury. He added 45 strikeouts in 35.1 innings of work. Ragans is an ace when he is on top of his game. He has the potential to be one of the best starting pitchers in the sport.
It has been a struggle so far for Ragans. He had been trying to find a rhythm. The Royals are hopeful that Ragans can return soon and find his rhythm on the mound. In order to make a legitimate postseason run, the Royals will need Ragans to perform well.
Royals Lose to White Sox on Tuesday
Kansas City was defeated by the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, losing by a final score of 6-5. Stephen Kolek got the start, but he struggled across 4.2 innings of work. The right-handed hurler turned in 4.2 innings of five-run baseball. He struck out six hitters as well.
The Royals bullpen only surrendered one run after his departure, but the White Sox were still able to win the contest. Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez all had two hits in the ball game. Witt has been swinging the bat especially well in recent action, and that clearly continued on Tuesday.
Chicago is suddenly now second in the American League Central standings. The White Sox were not expected to compete this year, but the ball club could potentially make some noise. It is early in the season, but the White Sox could possibly upset expectations.
The Royals fell to fourth place with the defeat, but they could still make a postseason run as well.
On Wednesday, the Royals and White Sox will go head-to-head once again. Kansas City is hoping to get back into the win column. It should be another competitive game between the American League Central rivals.
First pitch for the contest is scheduled for 7:40 PM EST on Wednesday night in Kansas City.
