Kris Bubic took another step forward in his comeback journey on Saturday night, delivering a tidy performance in his second rehab outing for Triple-A Omaha. Over two scoreless innings, Bubic needed just 22 pitches, 15 of which found the strike zone, to navigate the Columbus lineup without much fuss.
This outing came on the heels of a scoreless inning on Wednesday, as Bubic continues to work his way back from the elbow and shoulder issues that have kept him out since mid-May. On Saturday, he allowed a single hit-a lone single-and managed to avoid issuing any walks or recording any strikeouts, though he did uncork a wild pitch. His fastball clocked in at an average of 90.9 mph, slightly down from his season average of 91.2 mph, but the real story was his ability to induce weak contact, keeping the Columbus hitters off balance despite only one whiff on 13 swings.
The Royals are set to assess Bubic's condition on Sunday to determine the next steps in his rehab process. The 28-year-old lefty initially hit the injured list on May 18, retroactive to May 15, after feeling discomfort in his elbow following a start against the White Sox. While he initially hoped for a brief stay on the IL, a setback with shoulder soreness after his first rehab start on June 9 extended his time away from the mound.
Before his injury, Bubic was pitching to a respectable 4.11 ERA over nine starts. Just last year, he earned his first nod to the American League All-Star team, boasting a stellar 2.55 ERA across 116 1/3 innings in 2025.
With Bubic's free agency looming at the end of the season, the Royals have a vested interest in his successful return, especially given their current pitching needs. The team is not only eyeing Bubic as a potential bullpen asset but also as a crucial piece to fill the gaps in their rotation, exacerbated by Cole Ragans' impending elbow surgery.
Manager Matt Quatraro emphasized the importance of Bubic's health in shaping their plans. "We’re really just trying to see how he feels after these first two," Quatraro noted.
"Then we’ll reset a plan." As the Royals await Bubic's feedback, his path back to the majors hinges on his recovery and readiness to contribute, providing a glimmer of hope for Kansas City’s pitching staff.
In Other News...
This Royals Draft Target Feels Like A Perfect Fit For KC
Eric Booth Jr. has started to look like the kind of athlete the Royals can dream on when the 2026 MLB draft rolls around. The Mississippi high school outfielder is drawing attention as one of the classs top prospects because of his elite speed, rangy athleticism and the kind of defensive upside that plays anywhere on the grass, with scouts also impressed by how he can change a game on the bases.
What makes Booth especially intriguing for Kansas City is that the fit goes beyond raw tools. The one question hanging over his profile is how much power he can unlock once his swing is refined, and that kind of development curve is exactly what can separate a good prospect from a great one. The Royals evidently see the appeal, even if their current lean suggests they still have another name in mind at the top of the board. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Grind Out Another Tight Division Win Over White Sox
Anthony Kays afternoon never really found its footing in the series finale, and the White Sox were left trying to dig out of an early hole against a division rival that has made a habit of squeezing out close games. Kay gave up five runs in 3.2 innings, and while Miguel Vargas and Kyle Teel helped keep Chicago within reach with timely damage at the plate, the early work on the mound made the margin feel a little too steep for comfort.
The bullpen did its part after Kay exited, holding Kansas City down the rest of the way and giving the offense a chance to climb back. Chicago still had enough life to make the finish interesting, but the club could not fully erase the deficit in a 5-4 loss that underscored how thin the margin can be in these division matchups. [Read more 🡒]
Royals May Be Headed For A Deadline Gut Punch
Kansas Citys season has drifted far enough off course that the trade deadline is starting to look less like a chance to add and more like a moment to take stock. With the Royals buried by injuries and a record that has pushed them toward the sellers side of the market, the kind of midseason chatter that once felt premature is getting harder to ignore. For a club trying to stay competitive in the division, the deadline now carries real consequences, especially if the front office decides its best path is to cash in a few veterans rather than wait for a turnaround that may not come.
The most familiar names in that discussion are pitchers Kris Bubic and Michael Wacha, both of whom would draw attention if Kansas City put them in play. Bubic has already surfaced in speculative trade talk, while Wachas profile makes him the sort of veteran contender could circle if it decides to reinforce the rotation. A reunion with San Diego has at least been part of the conversation, and that alone says plenty about where this deadline might be headed for the Royals. [Read more 🡒]