James McArthur’s road back to the Royals bullpen has been anything but simple, but the right-hander is finally in a place where he can look ahead instead of just trying to survive the next hurdle.
Tuesday’s visit to Kauffman Stadium marked another small but meaningful step in a comeback that has stretched across two seasons. McArthur, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since dealing with elbow trouble after his 22-save season in 75 appearances two years ago, is now positioned for a normal offseason and a shot to reclaim a bullpen role next spring.
“Always good to be back here with the guys,” McArthur said.
What started as a Grade 1 ulnar collateral ligament sprain wound up being much more serious. McArthur, now 29, actually had an olecranon fracture in his right elbow and underwent surgery with two screws inserted for stabilization. That seemed to put him on a path back, but the setbacks kept coming.
He dealt with ongoing soreness, and doctors eventually determined he was allergic to the metal in the screws. The hardware had to come out.
Even after that, and even after a spring training return, he still felt discomfort while throwing. Then came more swelling and fluid in the elbow, leading to another surgery in May to treat a bone infection.
Doctors scoped and cleaned the elbow before performing a bone synthetic graft to seal the area.
McArthur said the extra procedure helped fill in what was left behind.
“I think the damage that was created (from the screws) was still healing,” McArthur said. “And I think it needed that extra bone graft to help. It was just a void that needed to get filled and sealed.”
The Royals stayed patient throughout the process, and this month McArthur finally got back on a professional mound. On Sept. 9, he made his first rehab appearance in two years with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning. The line didn’t matter nearly as much as the fact that he was pitching again.
“I’m happy that I’m not having fluid and I’m happy that I could throw in some games,” McArthur said. “Wish I had more time and more season left to play.
It’s unfortunate that the way it’s all timed out. I don’t get to go much more.
But yeah, I’m feeling good.”
He finished his rehab work with four appearances, including two scoreless innings last week for Triple-A Omaha. Those outings gave him a chance to test more than just his health. McArthur said he’s been encouraged by a revamped four-seam fastball and changeup, additions that could work alongside his sinker, curveball and slider.
“It’s just a small window of progression into games that I’m still navigating through some of that,” McArthur said. “But yeah, I’m pretty happy with the four-seam and I feel like I’ve added a new weapon almost.”
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said seeing McArthur back in the clubhouse meant a great deal.
“He put a big smile on my face,” Quatraro said. “I couldn’t be happier for anybody from what he’s gone through these last couple of years.
And the way he’s worked and dealt with it with grace and dignity and, you know, poise. I mean, he’s gone through a lot physically and mentally.
And for him to get back out and pitch in competitive games, I couldn’t feel better for anybody.”
General manager J.J. Picollo also pointed to the unusual nature of McArthur’s surgeries and the progress he’s made.
“It’s been a really encouraging thing,” Picollo said. “I mean, the surgery that he had was different.
There’s not a lot of history of guys that had that type of surgery. But his velocity is good and his command is good.
He’s excited. And we all know what type of guy he is.
It’s easy to root for guys like that. So to see him in the clubhouse this week is a great way for him to end the year.”
McArthur won’t pitch for the Royals this season, but the organization still has time to see where he fits next. The club is sorting through bullpen options down the stretch, with Steven Cruz, Nate Pearson, Connor Thomas and Nolan Hoffman auditioning for relief work in 2027. The Royals are also expected to look for bullpen help this offseason, with pitching a priority throughout the organization.
“I would say the bullpen is unknown,” Picollo said. “I mean, that’s the one we are going to spend a lot of time on.”
McArthur, who has a 4.84 ERA across two seasons, still brings late-inning experience and has team control for three more seasons, according to Spotrac. That gives the Royals time, and McArthur a runway, to make his case.
For him, the biggest win is simply getting to a healthier place.
“I think it will be great for me,” McArthur said. “I get to spend a lot of family time.
To have a healthy, normal offseason would be fantastic. Just use it as a time to get better so I can come into next season fully back and ready to roll.”
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