The Royals placed Kolek (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Kolek strained his left oblique in late February. He's been throwing off a mound and appears close to returning to game action, though the righty could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha rather than the major-league club once he's healthy.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Progressing in rehab
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Kolek (oblique) threw a bullpen Saturday and could pitch in minor-league games next week, MLB.com reports.
Kolek is gradually building back up as he recovers from the Grade 1 left oblique strain he suffered Feb. 25, logging bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday. The right-hander is making progress, but it remains likely he opens the season on the injured list before reporting to Triple-A Omaha.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Has Grade 1 oblique strain
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Kolek has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
As Rogers reported Thursday, Kolek will be shut down for at least the next week before the next steps in his recovery are mapped out. The right-hander is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Nursing side injury
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Kolek felt tightness in his left side while warming up in the bullpen during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Kolek went into the clubhouse to have his left side evaluated by medical staff, and an update on his status should be made within the next couple days. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Royals from the Padres at the trade deadline in late July and is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation. Across five starts with the Royals in 2025, Kolek posted a 1-2 record with a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 33 innings.
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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
Rotowire
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.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Receiving another start
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: 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: Shines in Royals debut
Rotowire
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: Starting Saturday vs. Tigers
Rotowire
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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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: Awarded another start
Rotowire
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.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Chased by Rangers in loss
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Kolek (3-4) allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 5.1 innings in a loss to Texas on Saturday.
Kolek struggled throughout the outing -- of the six innings in which he pitched, he was charged with at least one run in four of them. It's never a positive for a starting pitcher to allow as many homers as he notches strikeouts, which is exactly what Kolek did Saturday with two of each. The right-hander's six runs allowed tied a season-worst mark, and the nine hits were the most he has surrendered in an outing this year. Kolek has been fading of late, giving up three or more earned runs in four of his past five starts. That's pushed his season ERA up to 4.24 through 68 innings.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Fans five in no-decision
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Kolek allowed one run on three hits and one walk over 5.2 frames in a no-decision Sunday at Cincinnati. He struck out five.
After coughing up three or more earned runs in each of his three previous starts, Kolek looked much sharper in this 71-pitch outing over which he fired 44 strikes. The San Diego right-hander scattered three singles, with the only run he conceded coming on an Elly De La Cruz single in the sixth inning. Kolek wraps up his June with a respectable 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 32 total frames. The 28-year-old is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Rangers at home next weekend.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Tosses 5.2 scoreless frames
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Kolek allowed three hits and issued two walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Monday.
Kolek struggled in the first two innings, allowing five baserunners and working out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second. He settled in nicely after that, yielding just one additional hit. The right-hander couldn't quite manage a quality start -- he was pulled with two outs in the fifth after having thrown 98 pitches -- but he bounced back nicely after surrendering six runs over 5.1 frames against Miami in his previous outing, a start which also featured early struggles before he settled in. Kolek has held down a spot in the Padres' rotation with a 3.47 ERA through 36.1 frames, and he's projected for a road matchup against Milwaukee in his next start.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Solid in no-decision
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Kolek did not factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings loss against the Blue Jays. He went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
After a clean first two starts in which he didn't allow a run, Kolek has now surrendered eight earned runs over his last two starts spanning 11 innings. Regardless, the 28-year-old has certainly delivered all that's been asked of him as the Padres continue to bide time before the return of veteran Yu Darvish (elbow). Kolek's ERA is up to 2.84 following Thursday's quality start.
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Padres' Stephen Kolek: Solved by Seattle
Rotowire
Kolek (2-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out four.
After blanking the Pirates and Rockies over 14.1 innings in his first two starts since being promoted at the beginning of May, the 28-year-old right-hander ran into trouble against a much better offense Friday. Kolek saw the first pitch he threw ripped down the right-field line for a solo shot by J.P. Crawford, and two-run homers by Rowdy Tellez in the fourth inning and Cal Raleigh in the sixth accounted for the rest of the damage off him. Kolek will take a 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.
