Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Sunday that Bubic underwent another MRI that showed nothing structurally wrong with his left elbow or shoulder, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
After being forced to the 15-day injured list May 18 due to a sore left elbow, Bubic made enough progress to gain clearance to head out on a rehab assignment. During his start Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, Bubic experienced a shoulder issue, which was likely a contributing factor in him getting lit up for five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while recording just four outs. Fortunately, follow-up tests didn't reveal anything overly concerning, so the Royals were comfortable allowing Bubic to resume playing catch Sunday. Assuming he incurs no further setbacks during his throwing progression, Bubic could head back out on his rehab assignment at some point in the next week or two.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Suffers setback after rehab start
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Bubic (elbow/shoulder) suffered a setback after beginning his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, MLB.com reports.
In his first rehab start while recovering from left elbow soreness, Bubic was knocked around for five earned runs across 1.1 innings Tuesday and apparently emerged from the outing with a shoulder issue. The southpaw is scheduled to see a doctor over the weekend to determine the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list in mid-May, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Knocked around in rehab start
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Bubic (elbow) yielded six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Coming back from left elbow soreness and general arm fatigue, Bubic was sporting his typical velocity in his first outing in nearly a month. Not much else went right, however, as he needed 49 pitches to record four outs. The left-hander will need at least one additional rehab start before rejoining the Royals' rotation.
The Royals announced Monday that Bubic (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Bubic hasn't pitched since May 14 due to left elbow soreness and general arm fatigue, but he's been throwing for the past couple weeks and is ready to pitch in a game situation. Prior to landing on the 15-day injured list, Bubic recorded a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings. As long as he continues to improve, Bubic should rejoin the Royals' rotation within the next couple weeks.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Battling general arm fatigue
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Bubic (elbow) is still dealing with general left arm fatigue, MLB.com reports.
Bubic began a throwing program this past weekend and continues to play catch despite not yet feeling 100 percent. The southpaw will not be allowed to ramp things up until he's no longer feeling fatigue in his pitching arm, so there remains no timetable for Bubic's return to the Royals' rotation. He posted a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings before landing on the 15-day injured list with left elbow discomfort in mid-May.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Progressing in rehab
Rotowire
Bubic (elbow) started a full throwing program Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Bubic landed on the injured list Monday due to left elbow soreness, though it didn't take long for the southpaw to ramp up his throwing activity. While he's likely to remain shelved beyond the minimum 15 days and may require a rehab assignment, the early progress is an encouraging sign for the 28-year-old. Prior to the injury, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Struggles in loss Thursday
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Bubic (3-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one batter.
Bubic has handed a 1-0 lead before he took the mound but gave that up quickly when he surrendered a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. The left-hander pitched a clean second but then gave up three runs across the following two frames before being lifted. The five runs he allowed tied a season-worst mark in what turned out to be his shortest outing of the year. Bubic has given up one or no runs in four of his nine starts, but he's also yielded four or more runs three times. Altogether, he's posted a mediocre 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP along with a 51:26 K:BB over 50.1 innings on the season.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Spins seven strong innings
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Bubic (3-1) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Sunday.
Bubic turned in his fourth quality start of the season to pick up his first win since April 10 against the White Sox. The southpaw threw 63 of 94 pitches for strikes in this outing and limited the damage to a run-scoring fielder's choice in the third inning. Bubic lowered his ERA to 3.32 with a 1.13 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB across 40.2 innings over seven starts this season. While the walk rate is a still a bit lofty at 4.2 BB/9, he's been effective at limiting damage. Bubic's next start is projected to be at home versus the Tigers.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Effective despite four walks
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Bubic tossed five-plus innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out six batters.
Bubic struggled early, yielding three hits and issuing two free passes over his first two frames. However, he got through those innings with only one run on his ledger and bounced back from there, retiring nine of the final 13 batters he faced without giving up any more runs. Bubic has been fairly wild this season, handing out at least three walks in five of his six starts and racking up 17 free passes overall, tied for seventh-most in the majors. However, the southpaw is still putting up decent numbers, posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while holding a 2-1 record through 33.2 frames.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Settles in after early homer
Rotowire
Bubic did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings.
Bubic was tagged early, as all three runs he allowed came on one swing, a second-inning three-run homer by Coby Mayo. Bubic responded well, however, settling in to keep Baltimore off the board over his final four innings before exiting. Tuesday marked the southpaw's third quality start in five outings, though his other starts have been considerably rough. Bubic now owns a 4.08 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 28.2 innings and is set to face the Athletics in his next start.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Fans eight in loss
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Bubic (1-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out eight.
The left-hander induced 18 whiffs on 96 pitches (58 strikes) on the way to eight strikeouts, but all four of the hits he gave up went for extra bases. Bubic also issued three walks for a second straight start to begin the season. The 29-year-old has a 4.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 11 innings and lines up to face the White Sox at home next weekend.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Punches out four in spring outing
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Bubic allowed two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Padres. He struck out four.
Bubic delivered another solid spring effort, keeping the opposition off the scoreboard for a second straight appearance. Through three outings and eight innings in Cactus League play, the southpaw has allowed one run on nine hits and three walks. After posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 20 starts and 116.1 innings last season before a left rotator cuff strain ended his campaign prematurely, Bubic will look to maintain his health and deliver strong results out of the Royals' rotation in 2026.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Wins arbitration hearing
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Bubic (shoulder) will earn $6.15 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Royals on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The Royals had filed at $5.15 million, but the three-person arbitration panel chose the figure Bubic submitted. Bubic experienced a breakout 2025 season, posting a 2.55 ERA and 116:39 K:BB over 116.1 innings covering 20 starts before going down with a left shoulder strain. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Bubic threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to be operating with any restrictions this spring, but the Royals will keep a close eye on him after he missed nearly the entire second half last season.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Transferred to 60-day IL
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The Royals transferred Bubic (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Bubic has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a rotator cuff strain in his left (pitching) shoulder. Kansas City traded for Bailey Falter on Thursday to replace Bubic in the rotation.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Out with rotator cuff strain
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The Royals placed Bubic (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Sunday after he was diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain.
Bubic complained of shoulder stiffness after Saturday's start, and the Royals quickly determined that he was dealing with an injury to his rotator cuff. According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, manager Matt Quatraro said that Bubic will undergo further testing, but the left-hander is a good bet to miss more than the minimum 15 days. The loss of Bubic -- who earned his first All-Star nod after compiling a 2.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 116 strikeouts in 116.1 innings over his first 20 starts this season -- is a devastating blow to a Kansas City rotation that has been missing Cole Ragans (shoulder) since early June.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Delivers five shutout frames
Rotowire
Bubic (8-6) allowed three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over the Marlins.
Bubic cruised through five shutout innings on just 66 pitches with little threat from Miami. He left with a 6-0 lead, which may be part of the reason he didn't go deeper in the contest, but his velocity was also down across the board. Specifically, his fastball averaged just 90.5 mph, down from his usual 92.3 mph. Bubic posted a 4.86 ERA in his last six outings before the All-Star break but still owns a terrific 2.38 ERA with a 115:35 K:BB over 113.2 innings. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with Cleveland next weekend.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Saddled with sixth loss
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Bubic (6-6) suffered the loss in Sunday's game against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings with five strikeouts.
The Kansas City southpaw contained the star-studded Los Angeles lineup in this 90-pitch performance. Bubic limited the Dodgers to just one extra-base hit -- an Enrique Hernandez two-run blast in the second inning. He also crossed the 100-strikeout milestone for the third time in his career, achieving the feat for the first time since 2022. The 27-year-old left-hander appears bound for his first All-Star appearance, as he's pitched to an impressive 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB across 96 total frames. Bubic is currently slated to make his next start at Arizona next weekend.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Fans eight in loss
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Bubic (6-5) yielded four runs (two earned) on eight hits over six innings Tuesday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the Rays.
Bubic coughed up a two-run homer to Danny Jansen in the second inning. The Rays later plated unearned runs in the fourth and fifth frames. Bubic has posted a 14:1 K:BB over his last two outings after walking four batters against the Yankees on June 11. However, he's given up 10 earned runs in his last three starts after giving up only seven runs in his previous eight outings. Bubic still owns a terrific 2.18 ERA and a 96:27 K:BB through 91 frames. He's currently slated for a tough home matchup against the Dodgers this weekend.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Strikes out six in win
Rotowire
Bubic (6-4) earned the win against the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Bubic generated 19 swinging strikes but also gave up a season-high nine hits while surpassing 100 pitches in a start for the first time this year. After allowing just three earned runs during a stretch of five straight quality starts from May 8 to June 1, the southpaw has now yielded eight earned runs over 9.2 innings in his past two outings. Still, he boasts an impressive 2.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 88:27 K:BB across 85 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Rays next week.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Rare dud in loss against Yankees
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Bubic (5-4) was charged with the loss Wednesday against the Yankees after giving up five runs on six hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out three.
It was the shortest outing of the year for Bubic, who yielded a season-high five runs. The 27-year-old left-hander also matched season worsts with four walks and three punchouts, and his six hits allowed were one short of his season high. Bubic's ERA still stands at an outstanding 1.92 along with a 1.07 WHIP and 82:26 K:BB across 79.2 innings, and he'll look to get back on track his next time out against a Rangers team that has an abysmal .542 OPS versus southpaws since the beginning of May.
