Ryan

Bergert

Bergert is expected to be a full-go in spring training, and will presumably compete for a spot in Kansas City’s rotation, after finishing last season on the injured list with an elbow strain. The 25-year-old posted a solid 3.66 ERA across 76 1/3 innings over 19 appearances (15 starts) in his rookie campaign split between the Royals and Padres.

This move was hinted at yesterday and is now official and will end Bergert’s 2025 season. He will head into the off-season hoping to compete for a spot in the 2026 rotation.

Quatraro added that Bergert experienced forearm tightness during Wednesday’s bullpen session between starts and the club isn’t going to take any chances. It’ll be Michael Lorenzen taking the ball on Friday against the Blue Jays in his place. The 25-year-old righty posted a serviceable 4.43 ERA across 40 2/3 innings over eight starts after coming over from the Padres at the trade deadline.

The Royals didn’t want Bergert facing Phillies hitters for a third time, so they pulled him even though they had a 4-3 lead. It didn’t work out; Angel Zerpa gave up a Kyle Schwarber homer to start the fifth and then two more runs before concluding it. After a great first month in Kansas City, Bergert has allowed 11 runs over his last two starts. If he starts again next week against the Blue Jays, he’ll certainly be on a short leash.

Everything was falling in against Bergert tonight, even though he allowed only six hard-hit balls. All six of those turned into singles and doubles and so did five of the 11 non-hard-hit balls. Berger, who had never allowed more than three runs or six hits in any of his 13 previous big-league starts, saw his ERA jump from 2.61 to 3.48. He’s not a great play with a road start in Philadelphia next on the schedule.

Bergert continues to impress. He cruised through the first five innings here allowing just one hit, but was yanked at 87 pitches with zero outs in the sixth inning after a lead-off walk to Zach Neto. Royals’ reliever John Schreiber came in and allowed a home run a few batters later, causing that inherited runner to score. Nevertheless, Bergert had great feel for his sweeper as it forced seven of his 11 total swings-and-misses. He’s been throwing that pitch more often since being acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline and this was his sixth straight start since being acquired by the Royals where he’s allowed two runs or fewer. He’s scheduled for a two-start week coming up against the Guardians and Phillies.

It wasn’t exactly smooth, but Bergert completed six innings for his first time as a big leaguer and made this his fifth straight start allowing two or fewer runs since being acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline. His command was a bit wonky, but the White Sox struggled to square him up with just five total hard-hit balls and hit a heap of lazy pop-ups along the way. He’s scheduled to face the Angels next time out.

Andrew Benintendi’s miracle homer on a ball 12 inches off the ground was the only damage. Bergert has a 2.54 ERA in five starts since the Royals picked him up from the Padres in the Freddy Fermin trade. Kansas City has Thursday and Monday off, so Bergert probably won’t pitch again until next Wednesday or Thursday against the Angels. He also might have Cole Ragans’ return to contend with in mid-September, but it’s probably too soon to worry about that.

Bergert struck out five batters on the evening while issuing one base on balls. He gave up a solo blast to Zach McKinstry in the third inning, and that was it until the sixth inning where Bergert was lifted with a man on first and two outs, holding onto a 3-1 lead and in line for his first victory with the Royals. Angel Zerpa came on and served up a two-run homer to Riley Greene, charging a run to Berget and blowing his potential victory. The 25-year-old hurler got 12 swings and misses on 90 pitches on the evening — six on his slider — while registering a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll tote an impressive 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 56/24 K/BB ratio (58 innings) into Wednesday’s tilt against the White Sox in Chicago.

Bergert gave up six hits, walked two and struck out seven. The 25-year-old right-hander has struck out 15 batters over 11 innings in his last two starts. He could be mixed-league relevant if the Royals continue to use him in the rotation. Bergert is lined up to face the Tigers on the road next weekend.