Stephen Kolek - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Playing catch Kolek (oblique) began playing catch from up to 60 feet Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kolek was shut down for more than a week after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain. He will be slowly ramped back up before returning to Cactus League action. The right-hander should be healthy for Opening Day, barring setbacks, but the injury has significantly lessened his chances of obtaining a spot in the Royals' rotation.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Padres get an awkward reminder as Royals' return in Freddy Fermin deal hits turbulence The Padres don’t need Stephen Kolek to be healthy anymore — but the Royals kind of do. And that’s what makes his current issue feel like an...

FEBRUARY 28 • FRIARSONBASE.COM

Has Grade 1 oblique strain Kolek has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact As Rogers reported Thursday, Kolek will be shut down for at least the next week before determining the next steps in his recovery. Kolek is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Royals rotation candidate Stephen Kolek sidelined by left oblique strain

Kansas City Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek will be sidelined at least 5 to 7 days, and that could be longer depending on the severity of a left oblique strain

FEBRUARY 26 • Associated Press

Diagnosed with left oblique strain Kolek has been diagnosed with a left oblique strain and will be sidelined for at least the next five-to-seven days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact As Rogers notes, Kolek could be sidelined even longer if his Thursday scans reveal the injury is more severe. Kolek felt his side grab while warming up in the bullpen during Wednesday's Cactus League bout with the Mariners. Kolek is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring after he was acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline last summer.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Kolek (left side tightness) scratched from 2nd spring outing SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Stephen Kolek was warming up in the bullpen for his scheduled outing on Wednesday at Surprise Stadium, but when he felt t...

FEBRUARY 26 • MLB.COM

Nursing side injury Kolek felt tightness in his left side while warming up in the bullpen during the Royals' 8-8 tie against the Mariners in Wednesday's Cactus League game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com repo...

Impact Kolek went into the clubhouse to have his left side evaluated by medical staff, and an update on his status should be made Thursday. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Royals from the Padres at the trade deadline in late July and is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation for the 2026 season. Across five starts with the Royals in 2025, Kolek posted a 1-2 record with a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 33 innings.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' Salvador Perez expected to return in 2026, team eyes playoff comeback following 82-80 finish

The Kansas City Royals expect nine-time All-Star catcher Salvador Perez to return next season

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Kolek ends his season logging another quality start ANAHEIM -- With a runner on second and Stephen Kolek in another jam Wednesday night, the righty realized his hands were too high as he came...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • MLB.COM

Adds another quality start to surge Kolek (5-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Angels, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out two.

Impact Kolek submitted his fifth straight quality start and his ninth of the season through 19 outings. Although it may not have been enough to push the Royals into the postseason, the right-hander kicked things into a higher gear since landing in Kansas City, producing a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 33 innings. Kolek's surge to finish the campaign gives him a strong case for a rotation spot in 2026, and he may have worked his way into the club's long-term plans heading into the offseason.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ward homers, Jansen earns 475th save as Angels avoid sweep with 3-2 win over Royals

Taylor Ward homered, Kenley Jansen earned his 475th career save and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 to avoid a series sweep

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Angels vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch - Bleacher Nation Yusei Kikuchi will take the mound for the Los Angeles Angels (70-87) when they host starting pitcher Stephen Kolek and the Kansas City Royal...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Royals face the Angels leading series 1-0

The Kansas City Royals lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Witt, Frazier and Perez power Royals to an 8-4 win over the Angels

Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City’s career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4, shor...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Dominates despite loss Kolek (5-6) took the loss Thursday against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over 7.1 innings.

Impact Kolek was nearly flawless outside of the fourth inning, when he gave up the only two hits he allowed all game -- the second being an RBI double to Jorge Polanco that accounted for the lone earned run against him. Despite the tough-luck loss, the right-hander has been outstanding since joining Kansas City, posting a 1.67 ERA and an 18:3 K:BB across 27 innings while going at least six frames and yielding no more than two runs in each of his four starts. Even so, the 28-year-old has managed to secure just one win in that stretch. Kolek is slated for a tougher assignment in his next outing against the Dodgers, who rank near the top of MLB in most offensive categories this September.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kolek looks to carry momentum into 2026 after 4 strong KC starts (1.67 ERA) KANSAS CITY -- Stephen Kolek has made four starts with the Royals since Aug. 30. All four of them have given the club more reason to envisio...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • MLB.COM

Mariners' rare challenge helps secure 2-0 win over Royals, tie Astros for first place in AL West

Luis Castillo pitches six innings of three-hit ball, helping the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Thursday

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Suarez leads Mariners against the Royals following 4-hit game

The Seattle Mariners play the Kansas City Royals after Eugenio Suárez had four hits against the Royals on Wednesday

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Royals score four in the eighth to snap Seattle's 10-game winning streak

Adam Frazier hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat Seattle 7-5 to snap the Mariners’ 10-game winning streak

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Ready for another start Thursday Kolek is slated to start Thursday's game versus the Mariners in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Following his Sept. 4 call-up from Triple-A Omaha, Kolek will be making his third straight turn through the rotation. The Royals will return Michael Wacha (personal) from the paternity list Tuesday and Cole Ragans (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday, but Kolek will pick up another start after Seth Lugo (back) recently succumbed to a setback that could jeopardize his availability for the remainder of the season. Over his last two outings, Kolek has produced a 1.98 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB in 13.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for another start Thursday Kolek is slated to start Thursday's game versus the Mariners in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kolek is getting another start to fill in for Seth Lugo, who had a setback with his back injury Monday. Kolek heads into his start Thursday riding four straight quality starts in the majors that stem back to July 27 when he was on the Padres. In the righty's three starts with the Royals, he's allowed four earned runs on 13 hits with an 11:2 K:BB across 19.2 innings pitched.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Encouraging start with new team Kolek didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

Impact Kolek's Royals career is off to a promising start, as he's now fired at least six innings while conceding two runs or fewer in each of his first three starts for his new team. The three hits allowed matched a season low, and he's riding a streak of seven consecutive outings of at least five frames dating back to his time with San Diego. Kolek is next scheduled to take the mound for a key matchup against the Mariners. Through 99.1 innings, the right-hander owns a 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians meet the Royals with 2-1 series lead

The Cleveland Guardians lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Nick Loftin singles in tying run and scores in 7th, Royals rally for 4-3 win over Guardians

Nick Loftin singled in the tying run and scored on Maikel Garcia’s double in the seventh inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Receiving another start Kolek is slated to start Thursday's game against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

Impact With Seth Lugo (back) recently joining Cole Ragans (shoulder) on the injured list, Kolek will stick around with the Royals to make a second turn through the rotation following his call-up from Triple-A Omaha last Thursday. During his start in this past Saturday's 11-2 win over the Twins, Kolek went seven strong innings and struck four batters while permitting two earned runs on six hits and one walk. He now maintains a respectable 3.88 ERA over 92.2 innings between San Diego and Kansas City, though it's supported by a weak 9.3 K-BB%.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Royals rotation candidate Stephen Kolek sidelined by left oblique strain

Royals' Salvador Perez expected to return in 2026, team eyes playoff comeback following 82-80 finish

Ward homers, Jansen earns 475th save as Angels avoid sweep with 3-2 win over Royals

Royals face the Angels leading series 1-0

Witt, Frazier and Perez power Royals to an 8-4 win over the Angels

Mariners' rare challenge helps secure 2-0 win over Royals, tie Astros for first place in AL West

Suarez leads Mariners against the Royals following 4-hit game

Royals score four in the eighth to snap Seattle's 10-game winning streak

Guardians meet the Royals with 2-1 series lead

Nick Loftin singles in tying run and scores in 7th, Royals rally for 4-3 win over Guardians