Royals manager Matt Quatraro confirmed Sunday that Lugo (back) won't return this season, Jackson Stone of MLB.com reports.
Lugo landed on the injured list due to a back issue in early September. He was able to throw a bullpen session early this week but did not respond well. Quatraro explained Sunday that the injury is "not getting better quickly enough to do anything meaningful for him to come out here and force it." Lugo will finish his 10th MLB campaign with a 4.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 125:55 K:BB while posting an 8-7 record over 26 starts spanning 145.1 innings. There's currently no reason to believe that he won't be able to have a normal offseason.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Unlikely to return in 2025
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Lugo (back) hasn't resumed throwing after a recent setback and Royals manager Matt Quatraro said this week that a 2025 return is a "longshot," Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lugo's back didn't respond well to a bullpen session he threw Monday, and he remains shut down from throwing. With just over a week remaining in the regular season and the Royals all but eliminated from playoff contention, a 2025 return seems very unlikely.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Return delayed
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Lugo (back) did not respond well to his bullpen session Monday, so he will be shut down for a few more days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lugo was looking at a possible return in the middle of the week, but Cole Ragans is set to start Wednesday and Stephen Kolek will now take the mound Thursday. Given the setback, Lugo's next start may not come until next week, if he's able to return at all before the end of the regular season.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Receives cortisone injection
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Lugo (back) received a cortisone injection Thursday and will resume throwing Sunday or Monday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
The Royals placed Lugo on the injured list Thursday with a lower back strain and also gave him a cortisone shot to address the injury. He'll be back to throwing after a brief shutdown. The shutdown should have minimal impact on his return timeline.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Lands on injured list
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The Royals placed Lugo on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The Royals originally planned to push Lugo's next start back to Saturday after he reported tightness in his lower back. However, he didn't feel any improvement while playing catch Thursday and will now spend the next couple of weeks on the shelf in order to get back to 100 percent. Stephen Kolek was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and is expected to start Saturday's game against the Twins.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Next start pushed back
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Manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lugo's next start will be delayed due to lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lugo reported tightness in his back Monday, so the Royals will give him a few extra days to recover before sending him back to the mound. The 35-year-old was initially lined up to start Thursday's series finale against the Angels, but that game will now instead belong to Noah Cameron. No official starter has been named for Saturday's contest against the Twins, however, so Kansas City may look to get Lugo on the bump then if his back cooperates.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Continues struggling in second half
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Lugo (8-7) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.
Lugo's struggles during the second half of the season continued, as he's now given up at least four runs in five of his last nine starts. The veteran right-hander has also been unable to throw at least five innings on five occasions since the All-Star break, and he has a ghastly 7.51 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB over his last 44.1 frames during that period. Lugo has also issued multiple walks in all but one of his last nine outings, so he'll have plenty to clean up next week at home against the Angels.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Struggles in no-decision
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Lugo did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
It's been a tough month for Lugo, who's struggled to an 8.87 ERA while allowing eight homers across five starts (23.1 innings) since the beginning of August. Overall, the veteran right-hander's ERA sits at 3.99 this season with a 1.24 WHIP and 120:51 K:BB in 25 starts (142 innings). Lugo will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a rematch with the Tigers at home next week.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Fans five in no-decision
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Lugo did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's win over the Rangers. He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out five.
Both runs against Lugo came via solo homers, with Corey Seager going deep in the first inning and Joc Pederson belting one in the fourth. Lugo did not allow another Ranger to reach scoring position during his outing. It was a much-needed rebound after he was tagged with a combined 13 runs in his previous two starts. However, Lugo has now given up multiple homers in three straight appearances and six of his last eight. Tuesday's 6.1-inning performance was his longest since July 3 and his first time completing at least six frames since July 23. Lugo is sporting a 3.73 ERA with a 115:49 K:BB through 137.2 innings this season. He's currently expected to take the mound in Detroit this weekend.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Mashed by Nats in no-decision
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Lugo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.
The veteran righty served up two homers, including a first-inning grand slam to Nathaniel Lowe, before getting the hook after 92 pitches (53 strikes), but Lugo escaped a loss when Kansas City was able to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Lugo's two worst outings of the season have been his last two, as he's been tagged for 13 earned runs in just eight innings. Over 30.1 innings since the All-Star break he's labored to a 7.42 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB. The Royals have a day off Thursday and have some options if they want to give Lugo extra rest, but he currently lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rangers.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Hit hard in loss
Rotowire
Lugo (8-6) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings.
Lugo was tagged for a season-high seven runs, and for the second straight outing in which he failed to complete five innings. The 35-year-old struggled from the start, allowing a trio of runs in the first inning, including a Matt Wallner solo homer. The right-hander needed 82 pitches to record just 12 outs, continuing a rough stretch in which he's posted a 6.49 ERA and allowed six home runs over his last five starts. Lugo will look to regroup in his next scheduled outing against the Nationals.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Walks four in short outing
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Lugo did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning win over Toronto. He allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings while striking out three.
Lugo struggled with command throughout his start and needed 90 pitches (57 strikes) to record just 14 outs. He gave up a run in the second inning after a pair of walks and was knocked out of the game in the fifth after a Joey Loperfido RBI single. Lugo had completed at least five frames in 10 straight outings entering Sunday's contest, producing a 2.61 ERA during that span. The veteran righty has walked four batters in two straight outings and now owns a 107:41 K:BB across 113.1 innings this season. Lugo will carry a 3.06 ERA into his next outing, which is projected to be in Minnesota next weekend.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Picks up win despite late damage
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Lugo (8-5) earned the win in Tuesday's 9-6 victory over Atlanta, allowing three runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.
Lugo cruised through the first five frames before running into trouble in the sixth, surrendering a solo homer to Austin Riley and a two-run shot to Marcell Ozuna that cut into Kansas City's lead. Despite the rough inning, Lugo was able to do enough to earn his eighth win of the season, and the fifth in his last eight starts. The 35-year-old now holds a 3.90 ERA with a 28:9 K:BB over 30 innings in the month of July and remains a steady presence in the Royals' rotation.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Notches two-year deal
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Lugo and the Royals agreed on a two-year, $46 million contract extension Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lugo will now stick around Kansas City for at least two more years, while his deal will also include an option for a third season. The right-hander has been supremely effective over his first two seasons in Kansas City, combining to produce a 2.98 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 280 strikeouts over 319.2 innings in 52 starts.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Nearing multi-year extension
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Lugo and the Royals are expected to finalize a multi-year contract extension in the coming days, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Lugo was rumored to be a potential trade candidate ahead of Thursday's deadline, but an extension with the Royals would take a move elsewhere off the table. The right-hander is in the midst of his second season with Kansas City and has posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 99 strikeouts over 113 innings in 19 starts. He's now set to make his regularly scheduled start Tuesday in Atlanta with no concerns of potentially being shipped out prior to the deadline.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Downs Cubs with quality start
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Lugo (7-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.
The veteran righty delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 95 pitches, with 30 called or swinging strikes among his 58 total strikes. Lugo has lasted at least six innings in six of his last seven outings as he potentially auditions for a contender ahead of the trade deadline, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB through 42.1 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make what could be his last start with the Royals at home early next week against Atlanta.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Battles through six innings
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Lugo took a no-decision after throwing six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out five, during Friday's 8-7 loss to the Marlins.
Lugo had been a different pitcher since the calendar turned to June, going seven straight starts without allowing more than three runs. That streak came to an end Friday after the 35-year-old allowed five runs to the Marlins, including two home runs. That's been a bit of an issue for the right-hander lately as he's allowed five home runs over his last three starts spanning 18.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to be on the road at the NL Central-leading Cubs.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Strikes out eight in win
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Lugo (5-5) earned the win against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight over 5.2 scoreless innings.
Lugo kept the Dodgers off the board despite issuing a season-high five walks, falling one out shy of his third consecutive quality start. It capped a stellar June for the 35-year-old, who allowed just four earned runs while posting a 31:11 K:BB over five outings. He'll take a 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 76:28 K:BB across 88.2 innings into a road matchup with the Mariners next week.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Superb in no-decision
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Lugo did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 loss at San Diego, allowing one run on two hits and no walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.
The veteran right-hander looked sharp against one of his former clubs, generating a solid 14 whiffs out of his 90 total pitches to secure his eighth quality start. The only blemish on Lugo's line came when he stranded Jackson Merrill upon his departure and reliever Angel Zerpa subsequently allowed the runner to score. Lugo now sports a 2.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB through 83 total innings. He lines up for a difficult test in his next appearance, currently scheduled to be against the Dodgers at home next weekend.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Season-high nine Ks in win
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Lugo (4-5) recorded the win Tuesday against the Rangers, giving up one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine.
The veteran right-hander had his entire pitch mix working, racking up 14 whiffs en route to fanning a season-high nine. Tuesday marked Lugo's first time firing at least six frames since he came off the injured list for his May 30 start, and it also represented his seventh quality start on the campaign as a whole. He'll bring a 3.05 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:23 K:BB over 76.2 frames into his next outing, which is currently projected for this weekend against a formidable Padres lineup.
