Stephen Kolek - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Royals host the Twins to open 3-game series

The Kansas City Royals start a three-game series at home against the Minnesota Twins on Monday

4 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Braves aim to sweep 3-game series against the Royals

The Atlanta Braves face the Kansas City Royals looking to sweep their three-game series

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Braves meet the Royals with 1-0 series lead

The Atlanta Braves take a 1-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Kansas City Royals

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Braves host the Royals in the season opener

The Atlanta Braves host the Kansas City Royals for the season opener

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Out with strained oblique The Royals placed Kolek (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Kolek strained his left oblique in late February. He's been throwing off a mound and close to returning to game action, though the righty could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha rather than the major-league club once he's healthy.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Progressing in rehab Kolek (oblique) threw a second bullpen Saturday and could pitch in minor-league spring training games in another week, MLB.com reports.

Impact Kolek is gradually building back up as he recovers from the Grade 1 left oblique strain he suffered while warming up Feb. 25, logging bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday. The right-hander's progression is a positive sign in avoiding a long-term absence, though it remains likely he opens the season on the injured list. With the Royals' rotation set with Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, Michael Wacha and Noah Cameron, Kolek is likely ticketed to begin the year at Triple-A Omaha.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Begins mound work Kolek (oblique) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wednesday marked Kolek's first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a left oblique strain in late February. With just nine days remaining until the Royals' regular-season opener, it's unlikely that the 28-year-old righty will have enough time before then to build up to a starter's workload. However, he may be able to work as a multi-inning reliever in the meantime.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

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.

MARCH 9 • 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

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