The Kansas City Royals made a calculated gamble by signing right-hander Kyle Wright, a former 20-game winner recovering from a shoulder injury.
Now, Wright appears to be nearing the point of making that bet pay off.
On Monday, the Royals activated Wright from the injured list and assigned him to Triple-A Omaha—potentially the final step in his journey back to the big leagues.
RHP Kyle Wright has been returned from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the Injured List, and optioned to Omaha (AAA).
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 23, 2025
The Atlanta Braves selected Kyle Wright with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. Between 2018 and 2021, he made 21 appearances (14 starts) at the major league level.
Wright was part of the Braves’ postseason roster in 2021 during their World Series championship run, appearing in two relief outings and recording a 1.50 ERA over 5.2 innings.
His breakout came in 2022, when he firmly established himself in the majors by leading MLB with 21 wins against just five losses. That season, he made 30 starts, logged 180.1 innings, and struck out 174 batters. In the playoffs, he delivered six shutout innings against the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLDS—the Braves’ only win in the series.
In 2023, now 29 years old, Wright struggled with injuries and managed just nine appearances (seven starts), finishing with a 1-3 record and a 6.97 ERA. He underwent shoulder capsule surgery in October 2023.
Kyle Wrigh
Despite knowing he’d likely miss the entire 2024 season, the Royals traded for Wright in November 2023, sending pitcher Jackson Kowar to the Braves. Kansas City then signed Wright to consecutive $1.8 million deals covering the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Wright owns a career record of 24-16 with a 4.45 ERA over 60 games (51 starts), along with 267 strikeouts in 281.1 innings pitched.
The Royals had hoped to work him into the rotation this season, but his recovery has had some bumps. He briefly halted his rehab last month due to shoulder fatigue.
Across eight rehab starts between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, Wright has posted a 5.48 ERA. He hasn’t earned a decision, striking out 21 and walking 14 over 23 innings, while giving up 22 hits and 15 runs (14 earned).
While those numbers aren’t close to his peak form, the Royals seem willing to remain patient, hoping Wright can eventually return to contribute to the rotation, potentially in 2025.
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