Royals Place RHP Seth Lugo on 15-Day IL With Back Strain Amid Playoff Push

The Kansas City Royals have placed right-hander Seth Lugo on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain, a setback that impacts their playoff push as the team is currently competing for an American League Wild Card spot. Lugo, a 2024 All-Star and second-place finisher in the AL Cy Young Award voting last season, has struggled since the All-Star break, with his ERA rising from 2.67 to 7.51 in nine starts, leading to concerns about his recent performance. The Royals initially planned for Lugo to start against the Los Angeles Angels but scratched him after he experienced back stiffness during warm-ups, prompting his IL placement. To fill the vacancy, Kansas City has called up right-hander Stephen Kolek, who was recently acquired from the San Diego Padres and performed well in his Royals debut. Rookie left-hander Noah Cameron has also been used to cover Lugo's starts, and the Royals hope Lugo will recover soon to regain his earlier effectiveness. The team is closely monitoring the health of other key pitchers, including Cole Ragans, who is expected to return from injury in the near future.