Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans is making progress toward a potential return.
On Tuesday, Ragans will throw his first bullpen session since going on the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain on June 11. He has missed 52 games since the Royals decided to shut him down for rest and a prolonged recovery.
“Everything feels great and I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Ragans said ahead of Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Kauffman Stadium. “Bullpen ( on Tuesday) and looking forward to it. So kind of go from there.”
Ragans admitted that the time away hasn’t been easy for him. He has stuck to the Royals’ rehab plans, however, as he gradually builds his arm back up.
“It sucks,” Ragans said. “(You’ve j)ust got to sit back and watch the guys do their thing and you can’t help the team. Yeah, it freaking sucks.
“But I come in every day and make sure I get my work done. Try to get healthy as quick as I can. Obviously it’s not something you can really rush, so you don’t want to re-injure it going through the process.”
The Royals remain hopeful that Ragans will be available in September. At the moment, the club is making a postseason push with veteran starters Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Bailey Falter joining rookies Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert in the rotation.
Ragans owns a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts this season. He has posted 76 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings.
“The timeline says sometime early September,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said Monday. “What the actual date is will be determined as he goes.”
Ragans can take a significant step forward with a positive bullpen session Tuesday. Club officials will be evaluating how he feels physically as he gets on and off the mound. It’s an approach that remains cautious, but it’s one that Ragans accepts as a means of returning to action.
“It’s a slow process making sure I’m doing everything right,” he said. “I’m busting my butt to get back out there and help these guys win.”
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