Stephen Kolek, a promising pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, faced an unexpected hurdle during his warm-up session at Surprise Stadium. As he was gearing up for his scheduled outing, Kolek experienced tightness in his left side, prompting the team to take immediate precautionary measures and shut him down.
In a move that underscores the Royals' commitment to player health, Kolek stopped his warm-up and exited the bullpen after consulting with coaches and trainers. The team plans to further evaluate his condition on Thursday. Manager Matt Quatraro emphasized the importance of caution, stating, “We’re just being careful and not forcing him out there.”
Kolek was set to pitch two innings in the Royals' 8-8 tie against the Mariners, following a strong start by Noah Cameron, who delivered two scoreless innings. This would have marked Kolek’s second appearance in the Cactus League, having previously pitched two innings in the spring opener.
When Kolek had to step down, the Royals turned to Chase Jessee. Jessee, a 26-year-old lefty, recently joined the team on a Minor League contract after playing independent ball and has yet to pitch in affiliated baseball. His unexpected opportunity came as a result of Kolek’s precautionary exit.
At 28, Kolek is in the mix for a spot in the Royals' rotation this spring. Acquired from the Padres at last year's Trade Deadline alongside Ryan Bergert, Kolek made a strong impression with Kansas City.
He logged five starts late last season, posting an impressive 1.91 ERA with 21 strikeouts and only five walks over 33 innings. This spring, he’s a key component of the Royals' pitching depth, which includes notable names like Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, and Cameron.
As the Royals evaluate Kolek’s condition, the team remains hopeful for a quick recovery, eager to see him continue his promising trajectory in the upcoming season.