Stephen

Kolek

It’s a massive hit to Kansas City’s rotation depth beyond just the current season. Avila emerged as a decent back-end rotation stabilizer before hitting the injured list with forearm tightness over the weekend. Given the timing of the procedures, fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate either Avila or Kolek returning until the 2028 campaign.

Kolek was originally placed on the 15-day injured list back on July 19th, so he is now no longer eligible to return until about two weeks before the end of the regular season. That makes it seem likely that he will not pitch for the Royals again in 2026. He is also dealing with a family situation that has placed him on the family emergency medical list twice in the last month, so hopefully this also gives him time to be there for his family.

Kolek had been away from the team since July 4 due to a family medical emergency — the second time he had been placed on the list this season. He’s now dealing with an elbow issue and will have as much time away from the club as he needs.

This will be the second time that Kolek has been placed on the emergency medical list for reasons much more important than baseball. The 29-year-old will be away from the club with Jose Cuas taking Kolek’s spot on the roster.

Kolek did not strike out a batter in the ballgame. The right-hander was activated from the paternity list prior to the game and hadn’t pitched since June 21. After cruising through the first inning on nine pitches, he labored through 42 pitches during a three-run second inning. He generated four swings and misses on 51 pitches in the ballgame, posting a CSW of 24 percent. He’ll try to get back on track as he totes a 4.50 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into his final start of the season’s first half on Wednesday against the Mets in New York.

The 29-year-old right-hander will return to start against the Rays in Thursday’s series finale as anticipated. He has been away from the team since making his last start on June 21 as his daughter was born premature and the Royals gave him extra time to be with his family. Kolek sports a 4.15 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 34/11 K/BB ratio over 52 innings through his first nine starts on the season.

Kolek has been away from the club on paternity leave since last week after his daughter was born premature. The encouraging news is that everyone in the Kolek family is healthy and doing well. The 29-year-old will be officially activated prior to Thursday’s contest. He hasn’t pitched since June 21.

It’s merely a procedural move since Kolek has maxed out the amount of time he can spend on the paternity list. The 29-year-old’s daughter was born premature last week, and is doing okay, according to Royals skipper Matt Quatraro. However, he’s being given some additional time off to be with his family. It’s unclear when he’ll return to Kansas City’s rotation at this moment.

Kolek was supposed to face the White Sox tonight, but Steven Cruz will open in his place and Mitch Spence, who was called up in his place, will likely get bulk innings. The Royals haven’t indicated whether Kolek might return in time to pitch this weekend.

Kolek had given up two runs or fewer in five of his past six starts. His ERA estimators hinted at regression, and it hit in a major way versus the Cardinals. He allowed three homers in his abbreviated outing, including two off the bat of rookie JJ Wetherholt. Things won’t get easier in his next matchup, a road game against the White Sox.