Royals' Stephen Kolek: Adds another quality start to surge
Rotowire
Kolek (5-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Angels, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out two.
Kolek submitted his sixth straight quality start and his ninth of the season through 19 outings. Although it may not have been enough to push the Royals into the postseason, the right-hander kicked things into a higher gear since landing in Kansas City, producing a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 33 innings. Kolek's surge to finish the campaign gives him a strong case for a rotation spot in 2026, and he may have worked his way into the club's long-term plans heading into the offseason.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Dominates despite loss
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Kolek (5-6) took the loss Thursday against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over 7.1 innings.
Kolek was nearly flawless outside of the fourth inning, when he gave up the only two hits he allowed all game -- the second being an RBI double to Jorge Polanco that accounted for the lone earned run against him. Despite the tough-luck loss, the right-hander has been outstanding since being acquired by Kansas City, posting a 1.67 ERA and an 18:3 K:BB across 27 innings while going at least six frames and yielding no more than two runs in each of his four starts. Even so, the 28-year-old has managed to secure just one win in that stretch. Kolek is slated for a tougher assignment in his next outing against the Dodgers, who rank near the top of MLB in most offensive categories in September.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Ready for another start Thursday
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Kolek is slated to start Thursday's game versus the Mariners in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Following his Sept. 4 call-up from Triple-A Omaha, Kolek will be making his third straight turn through the rotation. The Royals will return Michael Wacha (personal) from the paternity list Tuesday and Cole Ragans (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday, but Kolek will pick up another start after Seth Lugo (back) recently succumbed to a setback that could jeopardize his availability for the remainder of the season. Over his last two outings, Kolek has produced a 1.98 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB in 13.2 innings.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Encouraging start with new team
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Kolek didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out four.
Kolek's Royals career is off to a promising start, as he's now fired at least six innings while conceding two runs or fewer in each of his first three starts for his new team. The three hits allowed matched a season low, and he's riding a streak of seven consecutive outings of at least five frames dating back to his time with San Diego. Kolek is next scheduled to take the mound for a key matchup against the Mariners. Through 99.1 innings, the right-hander owns a 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB.
Kolek is slated to start Thursday's game against the Guardians at Progressive Field.
With Seth Lugo (back) recently joining Cole Ragans (shoulder) on the injured list, Kolek will stick around with the Royals to make a second turn through the rotation following his call-up from Triple-A Omaha last Thursday. During his start in this past Saturday's 11-2 win over the Twins, Kolek went seven strong innings and struck four batters while permitting two earned runs on six hits and one walk. He now maintains a respectable 3.88 ERA over 92.2 innings between San Diego and Kansas City, though it's supported by a weak 9.3 K-BB%.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Goes seven strong in win
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Kolek (5-5) earned the win against the Twins on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over seven innings.
Kolek was spotted an early lead and ran with it, throwing 64 of 95 pitches for strikes while limiting the Twins to just two extra-base hits in his longest outing since a complete game shutout May 10. The 28-year-old has delivered quality starts in both of his appearances with the Royals and now owns a 3.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 63:27 K:BB across 92.2 innings this season. He's slated to face the Guardians on the road next week.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Recalled to start Saturday
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The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.
The 28-year-old pitched six innings of one-run ball during his Royals debut last Saturday against the Tigers, and he'll now return to Kansas City to replace the injured Seth Lugo (back) in the rotation. Kolek is penciled in to make his next start Saturday against a Twins offense that has posted a .727 OPS over its last 15 games.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Shines in Royals debut
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Kolek allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out three batters over six innings in a no-decision against Detroit on Saturday.
Kolek got an opportunity to start Saturday after the Royals decided to give Noah Cameron some extra rest between starts, and with Michael Wacha on paternity leave. Kolek made the most of the opportunity, limiting the Tigers to a lone fourth-inning run while needing just 71 pitches to complete six frames. Though the right-hander made a strong impression in his debut with Kansas City, it's unclear if there's room for him to get another turn in the rotation with five healthy starters in front of him.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
The right-hander was called up for a spot start Saturday and allowed just one run over six innings in a no-decision against Detroit, but he won't stick on the big-league roster with Michael Wacha returning from the paternity list Sunday. Kolek could rejoin the big club down the stretch, but he may have a difficult time finding a spot in the Kansas City rotation while all of Wacha, Seth Lugo, Michael Lorenzen, Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert are available.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Starting Saturday vs. Tigers
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Kolek is slated to start Saturday's game against the Tigers in Kansas City, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Kolek was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Friday after Michael Wacha (personal) was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. Though Wacha is on track to start Sunday's series finale, the Royals will temporarily clear a spot in the rotation for Kolek in order to give rookie Noah Cameron some additional rest between starts. Saturday's outing will mark the Royals debut for Kolek, whom Kansas City acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline. After the trade, Kolek reported to Omaha and logged a 6.63 ERA in 19 innings over five starts before receiving a call-up.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Set for Royals debut
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Kolek was traded from San Diego to Kansas City near the trade deadline and immediately reported to Omaha. He made five starts with Omaha, posting a 6.63 ERA and a 20:10 K:BB across 19 innings. Kolek steps onto the active roster in place of Michael Wacha, who was placed on the paternity list. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com the Royals haven't announced a starter for Saturday's game and have Wacha listed as Sunday's starter. Assuming Wacha will be back in time for his scheduled outing, Kolek could pitch in Saturday's game, potentially after Noah Cameron, although Kolek could also get that start if the Royals want to manage Cameron's workload.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Dealt to Royals
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Kolek was traded from the Padres to the Royals on Thursday along with Ryan Bergert in exchange for Freddy Fermin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Kolek was optioned to Triple-A earlier this week after logging a 4.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 56 strikeouts across 79.2 innings in the big-league rotation. Bergert and/or Kolek could get a look in the Royals rotation down the stretch, given the injuries to Cole Ragans (shoulder) and Kris Bubic (shoulder).
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Sent down to El Paso
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The Padres optioned Kolek to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
Kolek will lose his place in San Diego's rotation in favor of Ryan Bergert, who was recalled to start Tuesday's game against the Mets. Kolek has surrendered five earned runs in 11.2 innings across two starts since the All-Star break, but he figures to have a good chance to make another start for the Padres before the end of the season.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Awarded another start
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Kolek is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Kolek will make another turn through the San Diego rotation after he was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday to fill the vacant fifth starter spot. Taking the hill for the big club for the first time since July 5, Kolek was dealt the loss against the Marlins after giving up three earned runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. In 13 starts with San Diego this season, Kolek has gone 3-5 with a 4.28 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 54:23 K:BB across 73.2 innings.
Padres' Stephen Kolek: Notches quality start in win
Rotowire
Kolek (4-5) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings to pick up the win Sunday at St. Louis. He struck out two.
The San Diego righty limited the Cardinals offense to just one extra-base hit -- an Alec Burleson two-run homer in the sixth -- as he looked sharp in this 98-pitch appearance. This marks the fourth quality start of the season for Kolek, who should remain in the rotation for another turn given this performance. He'll carry a 4.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 56:26 K:BB across 79.2 frames into a rematch with the Cardinals at home next weekend.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Loses in MLB return
Rotowire
Kolek (3-5) took the loss Tuesday against Miami, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 5.2 innings.
Kolek returned after over two weeks at Triple-A El Paso to make Tuesday's start, and he fell one out short of his third quality start of the campaign. He's now allowed at least three runs in five of his last six starts, and he hasn't exceeded five strikeouts in nine outings. The 28-year-old has a 4.28 ERA across 73.2 big-league innings in 2025. If Kolek sticks in the rotation, his next start would likely come Sunday at St. Louis.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Recalled ahead of start
Rotowire
The Padres recalled Kolek from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
Kolek -- who holds a 4.24 ERA and 49:22 K:BB across 68 major-league innings -- will draw the start Tuesday in Miami. Kyle Hart was also recalled and could form a piggyback situation with Kolek on Tuesday.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Drawing start Tuesday
Rotowire
Kolek has joined the Padres' taxi squad and will be called up from Triple-A El Paso to start Tuesday's game in Miami, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Kolek will slide into the fifth slot in the Padres rotation, although he isn't necessarily guaranteed any more starts beyond Tuesday. The right-hander has made 12 starts for San Diego in 2025, posting a 4.24 ERA and 49:22 K:BB across 68 innings.
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