The battle for the final spot in the rotation is the most significant storyline for the Kansas City Royals entering Spring Training. Figuring out exactly how the lineup will shake out is obviously critical too, though this is a club built on its starting pitching strength.
Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, and seemingly Michael Lorenzen are locked into the first four spots, leaving Alec Marsh, Kyle Bubic, Daniel Lynch, Kyle Wright, and any other potential breakout.
A clear pecking order may be starting, as Wright now joins Marsh as players dealing with injuries before the first Spring Training game is even played. For someone like Wright, who didn't play at all in 2024 thanks to a shoulder issue, it's an unfortunate development as he tries to prove worthy of a rotational spot.
Kyle Wright has a mild right hamstring strain. Happened while throwing the other day. He’s able to continue playing catch but will be set back in his progression. #Royals will reevaluate next week.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 20, 2025
Royals P Kyle Wright Suffers Mild Hamstring Strain
Anne Rogers of MLB.com reported that Wright suffered a mild right hamstring strain. He's still playing catch and will be evaluated next week, but it'll push his progression back.
Wright joined the Royals in a trade in November of 2023 from the Atlanta Braves. He led MLB in wins in 2022, sporting a sparkling 21-5 record with a 3.19 ERA in 180.1 innings, finishing in the top 10 of Cy Young voting.
He faltered with a 6.97 ERA the following season, though the vet represented the perfect low-cost, high-upside swing that small-market teams like the Royals need to make. Even still, that magical 2022 campaign was the only time Wright started at least 10 games.
If Wright could recover even a smidge of that previous form, he'll be an invaluable asset for Kansas City. Lugo and Ragans both finished in the top four of Cy Young voting last year, and strong production from Wright would only make a strength even stronger.
The Royals were one of baseball's healthiest teams in 2024. The injuries to Wright and Marsh seem relatively minor yet are still worth watching. If more ailments pop up, Kansas City could get off to a slow start in April.
For now, it looks like Bubic and Lynch have a leg-up in the competition as long as Wright and Marsh are recovering.