Left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic has won his salary arbitration case against the Royals, according to MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand, and will receive his requested salary of $6.15 million. The Royals had
offered $5.15 million.
Bubic had a breakout season last year, posting a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts, with 116 strikeouts in 116.1 innings, earning his first All-Star appearance. But he suffered a left rotator cuff strain in July, forcing him to miss the last two months of the season. Injuries have impacted much of his career – he missed nearly the entire 2023 season with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2024, but as a reliever, and was effective with a 2.67 ERA in 30.1 innings.
The 28-year-old was originally a first-round pick in 2018 out of Stanford, who had mixed results in his first few years in the big leagues despite a plus change-up. Bubic has thrived under pitching coach Brian Sweeney, adding a sweeper that opponents hit just .194 against last year. He is eligible for free agency after the season.
Bubic is the first Royals player to win his arbitration case against the Royals since Andrew Benintendi in 2022. The Royals have 12 wins in 24 arbitration cases in club history. Vinnie Pasquantino also filed for arbitration, but the Royals avoided a hearing with him by signing him to a two-year, $11 million deal.
