Injuries & Moves: Bubic's rehab assignment moved to Double-A
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May 18: LHP Kris Bubic (Tommy John surgery) transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas during rehab assignment
After three appearances in the Arizona Complex League for his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, Bubic will continue his rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas beginning with his expected start on Sunday. The 26-year-old lefty threw 3 1/3 innings in Rookie ball across three appearances and allowed one run with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Throwing at the upper levels of the Minors is the next step in Bubic's recovery as he ramps up both his innings workload and intensity against better hitters. He's been sidelined for a year after surgery and is targeting a return at midseason or earlier with Kansas City, although he still has a long way to go before the club discusses his role with the Major League team.
INACTIVE LIST
RHP Jordan Lyles (personal matter)
Expected return: TBD
The Royals placed Lyles on the inactive list on April 20. The team is not disclosing the reason for Lyles’ absence other than describing it as a “personal matter.” There’s no timeline for his return, as the Royals are letting him take the time he needs.
Because of the type of inactive list Lyles was placed on, it opened a 40-man roster spot for the Royals, which they utilized on April 22 by promoting righty reliever Tyler Duffey. (Last updated: April 22)
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: May
Hernández began his rehab assignment at Triple-A on April 26 but didn't pitch much at first because of rainouts in Omaha. Now, he’s ramping back up to full speed, and the Royals plan on having him continue his rehab assignment until the minimum 30 days are up, which means he needs to be back by May 27 or be optioned if the Royals want to have him continue pitching in Triple-A.
The righty reliever has been sidelined since early Spring Training because of shoulder pain and was placed on the 15-day IL on Opening Day. (Last updated: May 18)
LHP Jake Brentz (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Brentz exited a Spring Training outing on March 17 and was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, with a recovery timeline of six weeks. He was officially placed on the injured list on March 28, and about a month later was sent on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on April 21.
The lefty reliever will take things slow as he comes back from an extensive injury history, including Tommy John surgery in 2022, a lat strain last year and the hamstring strain this year. Pitchers can spend up to 30 days on a rehab assignment, meaning Brentz must be activated or optioned by May 21. (Last updated: May 18)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Kris Bubic (left elbow surgery)
Expected return: Midseason
Bubic opted for full ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery in April 2023 and has had a smooth recovery so far, targeting the middle of 2024 as a potential return date. After rehabbing at the Royals’ facility in Surprise, Ariz., to begin the season, Bubic began his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on May 7. He made three appearances there (3 1/3 innings) before being transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on May 18. (Last updated: May 18)
LHP Josh Taylor (left arm/biceps nerve injury)
Expected return: Second half of the season
Taylor felt soreness when he was warming up for his March 17 Cactus League outing and was shut down afterward with left biceps soreness. The lefty reliever was diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve injury, and his timeline to return is unknown, as he'll be shut down from throwing until his biceps and upper arm regain strength.
Taylor was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 7 to make room for Colin Selby on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: April 7)
RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Royals traded for Wright in November in exchange for Jackson Kowar knowing Wright was coming off shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. They made the move thinking ahead a year, foreseeing how Wright, who will be 29 in '25, could help after he led the Majors with 21 wins and posted a 3.19 ERA in '22.
Pitchers who have this procedure typically take a year to return, and Wright is rehabbing in Kansas City with the goal of having a normal, non-rehabbing offseason later this year. Wright was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 17 to make room for reliever John Schreiber on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: March 28)