Royals' Cole Ragans Headed for More Testing After Elbow Setback

Overview

• Ragans woke up Friday with left-arm discomfort and cut a catching session short, prompting manager Matt Quatraro to say the club will run additional tests in the next few days.
• He has been on the 15-day injured list since May 8 with a left elbow impingement diagnosed as valgus extension overload, a throwing-related condition that causes pain in the back and middle of the elbow.
• Ragans made a May 23 rehab start for Triple-A Omaha, tossing 4 1/3 innings but failing to recover well afterward, and he threw a 23-pitch bullpen session on June 10 before the latest setback.
• The setback adds to rotation uncertainty for Kansas City with All-Star right-hander Seth Lugo on the seven-day concussion list and the Monday starter still to be determined.
• The upcoming tests will determine treatment and timing for Ragans’ return, and they could push a comeback beyond the All-Star break given his recent stop-start rehab and prior injury history.