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Cole Ragans Set for Elbow Surgery, Remains on IL

6/24/2026

23 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cole Ragans Surgery

Cole Ragans is expected to undergo elbow surgery.
He remains on the 60-day injured list after a left elbow impingement from valgus extension overload forced him out of a May 6 start and a failed May 24 rehab outing.
This season he logged a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA in eight starts, adding to a career 22-24 record, 3.76 ERA, 10.86 K/9 and two prior Tommy John surgeries.

Summary

Ragans Season Shutdown

Manager Matt Quatraro said the Royals may shut down Michael Ragans for season to protect his 2027 health.
The Royals are 33-46, 8 games behind the AL Central leader as of June 23, 2026.
Injuries have left Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo as starters, with Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and others sidelined.
Analysts say the Royals’ postseason hopes are over unless they spark a turnaround before season’s end, prompting trade-deadline moves.

History

Historical Context

In 1974 Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on pitcher Tommy John, saving a 12-year veteran’s career and proving the procedure viable. Over the next decades the surgery spread, with roughly one-third of major-league pitchers having undergone it by the 2010s. Today Royals manager Matt Quatraro weighs shutting down Cole Ragans after his second Tommy John surgery, reflecting league caution.

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Cole Ragans Surgery

Cole Ragans is expected to undergo elbow surgery.
He remains on the 60-day injured list after a left elbow impingement from valgus extension overload forced him out of a May 6 start and a failed May 24 rehab outing.
This season he logged a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA in eight starts, adding to a career 22-24 record, 3.76 ERA, 10.86 K/9 and two prior Tommy John surgeries.

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