Royals to Begin Cole Ragans Rehab Start at Triple-A Omaha

Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans is scheduled to take a significant step in his recovery from an elbow injury with a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday. The team announced the plan on Friday, stating Ragans is expected to throw four or five innings, or 60 to 65 pitches.

Ragans was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 8 with what the team described as a left elbow impingement. The injury occurred during a game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 6, when he was pulled after three scoreless innings and 58 pitches due to left triceps and elbow soreness. This season, Ragans has a record of 1-4 with a 4.84 earned run average.

The upcoming rehab assignment marks a cautious return for a pitcher with a significant injury history. Ragans underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2018 while in the Texas Rangers' minor league system. He then tore the grafted ligament during rehabilitation, requiring a second Tommy John procedure in May 2019. He eventually returned to the major leagues in August 2022.

Acquired by the Royals in a trade in August 2023, Ragans emerged as a key part of the rotation last season, earning his first All-Star selection in 2024. He...