Royals' Stephen Kolek: Tosses 7.1 scoreless innings Sunday
Rotowire
Kolek (4-1) earned the win Sunday against the Astros, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four over 7.1 scoreless innings.
Kolek was impressive Sunday, throwing 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes while generating 12 whiffs. The right-hander retired 11 of 12 batters during the middle innings and worked out of a seventh-inning jam by inducing a double play with runners on first and second. He ran into trouble again in the eighth, exiting with two aboard, but reliever Steven Cruz stranded both runners to preserve the shutout. Kolek has now held opponents to two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, lowering his season ERA to 2.68 to go along with a 1.03 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB across 50.1 innings. He's slated to face the Cardinals in his next start.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Dodges traffic in no-decision
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Kolek allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings in a no-decision against Texas on Tuesday.
Kolek failed to record a 1-2-3 inning, and the Rangers put at least two batters on base in three of his five frames. However, the right-hander escaped with just one earned run on his ledger despite needing 88 pitches to retire 15 hitters. Kolek has now yielded two earned runs or fewer in four of his seven starts, leading to a strong 3.14 ERA. He's lined up to face Houston at home in his next start.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Reinstated ahead of Tuesday's start
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The Royals activated Kolek from the family medical emergency list Tuesday.
Kolek was away from the club for a few days while tending to a personal matter, but he's back in time to start Tuesday's contest at home versus the Rangers. The right-hander has logged a 3.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 38 innings covering six starts for Kansas City this season.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Rejoining rotation Tuesday
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Kolek (personal) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Kansas City.
Kansas City placed Kolek on the family medical emergency leave list Thursday, but the right-hander looks set to rejoin the Royals for the start of their series with the Rangers and won't have to miss a turn through the rotation. The Royals will make his activation official shortly before Tuesday's 7:40 p.m. ET start time.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Season-high eight strikeouts
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Kolek took a no-decision Wednesday against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.
Kolek fanned a season-high eight Wednesday in what was already his fourth quality start over six outings for the year. The 29-year-old right-hander has been outstanding since coming over from the Padres at last year's trade deadline, posting a 2.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB over 71 career innings for the Royals dating back to last season. Kolek, who next lines up to take the ball at home versus the Rangers, is making a strong case to remain in Kansas City's rotation even once Cole Ragans (elbow) is healthy.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Tagged with loss Friday
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Kolek (3-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Rangers after allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk across five innings. He struck out five.
Kolek tossed 60 of his 91 pitches for strikes, but he gave up four runs, including a two-run homer to Brandon Nimmo, before the end of the first inning. He settled down afterwards, but Kolek didn't receive support from an offense that mustered just one run throughout the game. Despite this subpar outing, Kolek remains a capable-if-not-dominant arm in the Royals' rotation with a 3.48 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in five starts so far. He's slated to make his next start on the road against the Reds.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Twirls second career shutout
Rotowire
Kolek (3-0) notched the win Saturday against the Mariners, allowing no runs on four hits and one walk in nine innings. He struck out two.
Kolek fired the second complete-game shutout of his career Saturday, also delivering his second consecutive scoreless outing. It was particularly impressive to see the 29-year-old right-hander make it the distance, considering he fanned a season-low two on the evening, and he's now recorded three quality starts through his first four outings. Still undefeated on the year, Kolek boasts a 2.77 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over his first 26 innings.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Strong showing in win
Rotowire
Kolek (2-0) allowed four hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out three over 6.1 shutout innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cardinals.
Kolek delivered his second quality start in three outings this season. He threw 61 of 82 pitches for strikes and never let the Cardinals get into a rhythm. The 29-year-old is now at a 4.24 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB through 17 innings in the majors this season. Cole Ragans (elbow) threw a bullpen session Sunday as he works his way back from an elbow impingement, and he could return over the weekend versus the Mariners if he doesn't require a rehab assignment. If Ragans isn't quite ready, Kolek would likely make one more start.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Stepping in for injured Ragans
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Kolek is slated to start Tuesday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
After returning from the injured list and delivering a quality start against the Guardians in his 2026 MLB debut last Tuesday, Kolek was demoted to Triple-A Omaha a day later. However, with Cole Ragans (elbow) landing on the IL on Friday, the Royals opted to recall Kolek and will now plug him into Ragans' vacated spot in the rotation. Kolek tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second turn likely to come Sunday in St. Louis.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Rejoins big club
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
The right-hander was demoted to Omaha on Wednesday but will quickly rejoin the major-league club with Cole Ragans (elbow) landing on the injured list. Kolek made a spot start in place of Noah Cameron (back) earlier this week and could now get a few turns through the rotation with Ragans sidelined. Kolek delivered a quality start in his first MLB appearance of 2026, striking out three and giving up three runs on four hits over six innings while picking up a win versus Cleveland.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Moving to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Kolek picked up the win in a spot start Tuesday versus the Guardians, yielding three runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts across six innings. With Kolek back in the minors, Noah Cameron (back) seems destined to rejoin the rotation after missing just one start.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Collects win in 2026 debut
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Kolek (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts across six innings.
After straining his oblique during spring training, Kolek made four rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha before he was summoned for his 2026 debut Tuesday in place of the injured Noah Cameron (back). Kolek doesn't have great stuff and generated just two whiffs on 83 pitches against Cleveland, but he throws six pitches with plus command and was able to keep the Guardians at bay. With Cameron tentatively expected to avoid a trip to the injured list, it's unclear if Kolek will remain in Kansas City's rotation.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Activated ahead of Tuesday's start
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The Royals activated Kolek (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Kolek is set to make his season debut for the Royals with a start Tuesday versus the Guardians, slotting in as a replacement for Noah Cameron (back). Out since spring training with an oblique strain, Kolek posted a 2.76 ERA and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings in four rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha. He threw 72 pitches in his final rehab appearance, so he could be limited slightly from a workload perspective Tuesday.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Completes fourth rehab start
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Kolek (oblique) allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks across 4.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. He struck out four.
Kolek made his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Omaha as he builds back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The right-hander allowed his highest hit total of the rehab assignment Wednesday, though it also marked his first outing without issuing a walk. Across four starts at Triple-A, the 28-year-old owns a 2.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with a 14:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Kolek appears to be nearing the end of his rehab assignment and is on track to be activated soon, though he could remain at Triple-A upon activation with no clear opening in the Royals' rotation.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Cleared for rehab assignment
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Kolek (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Kolek suffered a left oblique strain in late February and has finally been cleared to pitch in games again. He will need at least a couple rehab outings before being an option for the Royals' rotation or bullpen.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Ramping up in extended spring
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Kolek (oblique) threw three innings and 49 pitches Thursday during a simulated game at extended spring training, MLB.com reports.
Kolek is in the process of building back up after suffering a Grade 1 left oblique strain in late February and missing the remainder of the Cactus League. The 28-year-old remains in Arizona but could soon report to an affiliate to begin what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Kolek isn't projected to return from the Royals' injured list until late April or early May.
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Royals' Stephen Kolek: Progressing in rehab
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
