Lugo (3-4) earned the win Friday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks across six innings. He didn't record a single strikeout.
Lugo failed to record a strikeout for the first time this season, but he still posted a quality start in his return to the rotation after he was on the shelf for the past week due to a concussion. Lugo has been pitching well of late, allowing three runs or fewer in five of his last six appearances. Over that stretch, he has a 3.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP despite a below-average 5.5 K/9. Lugo is poised to make his next start on the road against Tampa Bay.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Reinstated for Friday's start
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The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.
The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Poised to start Friday
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Lugo (concussion) is expected to be reinstated from the 7-day injured list to start Friday against the Nationals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander landed on the shelf after being struck in the head by a comebacker during his June 10 start against Texas, but his stay on the IL won't be a long one. Lugo felt good after recently throwing a bullpen session earlier this week and shouldn't face any notable limitations in his first start back, given the brevity of the absence.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Continuing to throw since IL move
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Lugo (concussion) has continued to take part in a throwing progression since being placed on the 7-day injured list Friday, MLB.com reports.
Though a CT scan came back clean after Lugo was forced out of his start last Wednesday against the Rangers when he was struck in the head by a line drive, the Royals deactivated him a couple days later after he developed a headache. Since he's not being shut down from throwing, Lugo seems to be making good progress in his recovery, but he'll still need to clear all phases of the concussion protocol before the Royals activate him. Lugo would appear to have a chance at being ready to make a start at some point during the Royals' upcoming three-game series with the Cardinals that runs from Thursday through Sunday.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Placed on concussion IL
Rotowire
The Royals placed Lugo on the 7-day concussion list Friday.
Lugo was struck in the forehead by a line drive during Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The good news for Lugo was that a subsequent CT scan came back negative, but he's now in the league's concussion protocol and will need to hit multiple checkpoints before being cleared to return to the majors. In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled Eli Morgan from Triple-A Omaha.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: CT scan comes back negative
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Lugo's (head) CT scan came back negative.
Lugo was involved in a scary incident during Wednesday's outing versus the Rangers when he was struck in the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. He got to his feet quickly and seemed alert but was pulled from the game. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Lugo has some swelling on his forehead and his left (non-throwing) elbow is sore from falling, but the pitcher feels OK, all things considered. It looks like Lugo has dodged a serious injury and could make his next scheduled start Monday versus the Nationals, but he'll continue to be monitored in the coming days.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Hit by comebacker, leaves game
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Lugo was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers after getting hit on the head by a comebacker, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander made it through 3.1 innings of one-run ball Wednesday before a 106.6-mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo connected with Lugo's forehead in the fourth. He was able to get to his feet relatively quickly but was immediately pulled by the Royals' training staff and will presumably enter concussion protocol. An update on his status may be available after the game.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Struggles in no-decision
Rotowire
Lugo did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Twins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings.
Lugo got off to a rough start when Byron Buxton led off the game with a home run, and the veteran right-hander never fully settled in. He allowed a run in each of his five innings of work, including three total home runs. The outing snapped what had been a strong stretch for Lugo, who entered Thursday having allowed just six runs combined across his previous three starts. He now owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 64:24 K:BB across 76 innings this season. Lugo is scheduled to face Texas at home in his next start.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Third straight quality start
Rotowire
Lugo didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The veteran righty reeled off his third straight quality start and eighth of the season on 90 pitches (64 strikes), but Lugo watched his potential third win of the year slip away when Lucas Erceg fell apart in the ninth inning. Lugo will take a 3.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB through 71 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Minnesota.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Quality start in second win
Rotowire
Lugo (2-4) earned the win Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out three.
Lugo served up a rare home run, his third allowed this year, but otherwise provided a solid performance Sunday. Although it was his seventh quality start already this season, the 36-year-old right-hander has surrendered at least three runs in four of his past six outings after yielding two or fewer in his previous five appearances. Lugo will carry a decent 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:23 K:BB over 65 innings into his next scheduled start in Texas against the Rangers.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Takes tough-luck loss Monday
Rotowire
Lugo (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across six innings.
Despite logging a quality start, Lugo made a mistake pitch to Willson Contreras in the sixth inning that resulted in a two-run home run and was saddled with his fourth loss. It was still a nice bounce-back outing for the right-hander after he allowed a total of nine runs on 15 hits and six walks across nine innings in his previous two outings. Lugo owns a 3.68 ERA, career-worst 1.40 WHIP and 51:21 K:BB across 58.2 innings. His .343 BABIP against is significantly higher than his .266 mark last season.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Yields five runs in loss
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Lugo (1-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings.
Lugo generated just three groundouts and five whiffs on 92 pitches during Wednesday's start. It was the fourth game in a row that he allowed at least 10 baserunners, and over that span he has produced a dreadful 7.59 ERA, 2.16 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings. Lugo will look to turn things around in his next start, which is lined up for next week at home against the Red Sox.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Logs quality start in no-decision
Rotowire
Lugo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings.
Lugo allowed runs in the first and fifth innings, throwing 66 of 103 pitches for strikes while limiting the Mariners to just one extra-base hit. It was a much-needed rebound effort after the 36-year-old surrendered seven earned runs last Sunday, and he's now delivered five quality starts in seven outings this season. He'll carry a 2.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 43.2 innings into a home matchup against the Guardians next week.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Knocked around Sunday
Rotowire
Lugo allowed seven runs on 14 hits and a walk while striking out three over 6.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Sunday.
Lugo really didn't have his best stuff, but he was left in the game longer than most starters would be with those kinds of numbers being put up against him. He ultimately threw 72 of 97 pitches for strikes but was simply too hittable in this outing, though the Royals were able to provide some surprises late in the game to get him off the hook. Chalk this up as just an off performance for Lugo, who hadn't allowed more than two runs in any of his first five starts of the campaign. He's at a 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 37.2 innings over six starts this season. Lugo's chance at a bounce-back effort is projected to be on the road against the Mariners.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Takes loss despite quality start
Rotowire
Lugo (1-1) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 6.1 innings.
Lugo was a bit wild with his four walks, but he got three double plays from his defense and gave up just one earned run. However, Kansas City was unable to score any runs, consequently saddling the right-hander with his first loss. Lugo has opened the season in strong form, notching two quality starts through three outings and posting a 1.53 ERA across 17.2 frames. His next start is projected to come on the road versus the Tigers.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Punches out seven Saturday
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Lugo took a no-decision Saturday against the Brewers, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.
Lugo built off a successful season debut, when he permitted five hits across 6.1 shutout innings against Atlanta last weekend, and on Saturday he most notably escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. The right-hander took on a full workload in his second start, launching 103 pitches, and he also generated a respectable 10 whiffs. Lugo has a favorable matchup versus the division-rival White Sox on tap for his next start, so he should continue to hold streaming appeal.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Sharp in season debut
Rotowire
Lugo (1-0) earned the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing five hits over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.
It was a strong start to the year for Lugo, who held Atlanta to a lone extra-base hit en route to the Royals' first win this season. Lugo is looking to turn things around after an up-and-down 2025 campaign where he finished 8-7 with 125 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA, his highest in five seasons. Lugo is tentatively scheduled to face the Brewers at home in his next outing.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Sees MiLB action in return from WBC
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Lugo threw five innings in a minor-league game Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lugo threw 72 pitches without issuing a walk and worked through some traffic, reportedly feeling great as he returned to camp after participating in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. After posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 26 starts and 145.1 innings in 2025, Lugo was shut down in September due to a back injury, though the issue doesn't appear to be lingering into the spring. The veteran righty will slot into the Kansas City rotation and look to get closer to his 2024 production, when he posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 206.2 innings.
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Royals' Seth Lugo: Done for 2025 season
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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
Rotowire
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.
