Bubic embraces new role in return from injury

This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- The Royals got what could potentially be a big boost for their pitching staff when Kris Bubic returned to the Majors on Saturday, nearly 15 months after he had Tommy John surgery in April 2023.

The lefty, who was activated off the 60-day IL, has always been a starter, but he’ll pitch out of the Royals' bullpen for now because that’s where an open spot is -- and that’s where Kansas City needs the most help. Bubic was more than willing to do so if that meant pitching in the big leagues again.

“At the end of the day, I just want to pitch,” Bubic said. “And talking with the coaching staff and front office, the starters have been really, really good this year. There’s no reason for me to come in and -- I don’t want to say mess up that rhythm -- but all those guys have earned those innings and those spots. For me to come in and provide multiple innings, whatever it is, that’s fine with me.”

Bubic couldn’t have gotten off to a better start in 2023. He struck out 13 and allowed two runs in 11 innings over his first two starts. Then, he allowed five runs on 10 hits in five innings on a rainy and cold day against the Braves on April 15. Shortly afterward, he underwent full ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery on his left elbow.

Tommy John surgery and the subsequent rehab process is long and at times grueling, but Bubic’s timeline was smooth, which he’s grateful for. His first bullpen session was Feb. 20, right after pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. He began a rehab assignment on May 7, when he pitched one inning in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, then he ramped up from there.

“I was getting the same jitters, the same adrenaline even though I was only throwing an inning or so down there,” Bubic said. “I hadn’t done that in over 12 months. It takes a little bit to get back in the speed of the game and the rhythm of the game. But once you get your legs underneath you again and build up the stamina and endurance, you remember it as it was before.”

Bubic took a full 60 days on his rehab assignment, making 14 appearances (10 starts) between the ACL Royals, Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. He built up to five innings as a starter and then transitioned to a bullpen role with Omaha at the end of June, making four relief appearances with the Storm Chasers.

For the Royals, Bubic could throw in short stints or pitch multiple innings.

“He’s been very selfless through this whole process,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “As long as his health was good, he said, ‘I’m happy to do whatever to help the team.’ We’re in [the] middle of a race, and he knows he can help us. He’s done this before in the big leagues, pitched out of the ‘pen, so it’s not totally foreign to him.”

During his rehab assignment, Bubic went through the usual ups and downs for a pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery with his velocity and command at times. But he said he felt back to normal with his pitches over the past couple of weeks with Omaha. That includes some of his new pitches, a two-seamer and an adjusted breaking ball he’s still calling his slider.

Always tinkering with his stuff, Bubic might not have been pitching over the past year, but he was still trying to improve.

“That’s a constant,” Bubic said. “Trying to keep up with the trends of the game and just understand myself more as a pitcher. … Added a couple wrinkles to the arsenal. In the bullpen, you throw your best stuff as frequently as you can. So that’s the mindset I’ll have. But I’m excited to see how it plays out going forward.”

For now, he’s just happy to have made it through the rehab process and to be back in the Royals’ clubhouse.

“Putting in the work is a big part of rehab, especially early on,” Bubic said. “You put in the work, it kind of sets the table for the back end of it. I’ve understood just to take it day by day and not look too far ahead. I’ve made that mistake earlier in my career, and then the game sneaks up on you. You don’t pitch as well, and you find yourself spinning a little bit.

“For me, taking it day by day, especially being in the bullpen, that mindset really rings true to me. You never know what’s going to happen each day. I’m just grateful to be in this position again.”