The Royals announced two major pitching injuries before yesterday’s 5-2 loss.
Right-handers Ryan Bergert and Ben Kudrna had elbow surgeries on Wednesday, with Bergert undergoing a full ulnar collateral ligament repair (Tommy John) and Kudrna – the Royals’ No. 9 prospect – undergoing an olecranon stress fracture repair on his elbow. Both are expected to miss the rest of the season.
Bergert was expected to be a major contributor for the Royals in ‘26 after they acquired him, along with Stephen Kolek,
from the Padres at last year’s Trade Deadline. Bergert opened the season in Triple-A Omaha but was viewed as No. 1 on the depth chart should the Royals need a starter in the big leagues or even a fresh arm in the bullpen.
Kudrna made just one start that lasted two innings in Triple-A this year before he was placed on the IL on April 6. The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow, and it can fracture due to overuse, typically in throwing athletes. The surgical option typically involves placing screws into the elbow to stabilize the fracture.
If you didn’t stay up late on Tuesday night, the Salvy splash got a little wild.
Columbia Fireflies SS Josh Hammond got a shoutout for being the hottest hitting prospect for the Royals currently.
Taken with the 28th overall pick last year as a North Carolina prepster, Hammond hasn’t needed any time to settle into his first full season with a .316/.398/.526 line through 20 games with Single-A Columbia. His eight doubles are third-most in the Carolina League, while his 11 extra-base hits are tied for fifth-most. The right-handed slugger was considered to have above-average power potential coming out of the Draft, and it may not be long until more of his hard-hit balls leave the yard as he gets even more comfortable this summer.
Royals Keep explained why the Royals are platooning a lot of their hitters.
Kevin O’Brien talked on why the Royals need to improve their road offense, which hasn’t been corrected yet in Sacramento.
Nathan Church of the Cardinals is robbing game winners left and right.
The Braves keep winning, and Kenley Jansen keeps giving up walk-off dingers.
Could Padres closer Mason Miller really win the NL Cy Young award this year?
D-Backs Ildemaro Vargas extends his hit streak to 25 games.
The Marlins turned one of the most improbable double plays to win the game and series against the Dodgers.
Today’s song of the day is Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty.
