Royals' Cole Ragans optimistic after early exit against Guardians

Cole Ragans’ start to the season could have gotten off to a better start, as he hasn’t had the best performances from the mound in his opening three starts of the year. His first start would come against the Atlanta Braves, who shelled three home runs off the 28-year-old, with his day coming to a close after four innings.

Ragans’ second outing would see him go further into the game, as he’d make it through six innings, allowing four hits and one run, which would still net him the loss on the day, bringing his record to 0-2.

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Wednesday afternoon would see his third start of the season, in which he’d only make it through 0.2 innings, as he was pulled early on in the game after getting hit by a line drive from Jose Ramirez.

How is Ragans feeling?

While the Royals haven’t stated anything publicly following Wednesday’s loss, Ragans spoke with reporters, in which he feels that he “should be good,” as reported by MLB.com’s Anne Rogers.

All things considered, sounds like #Royals avoided the worst with Cole Ragans’ thumb contusion. Just was too stiff for him to keep going in that game. But, he says, he “should be good.”

If Ragans is to miss time, it would prevent Ragans from getting more opportunities to improve his standing in the Royals’ rotation this season.

His 5.91 ERA is miles above where he has been over the last few seasons with Kansas City, as he posted a 2.50 ERA in 2025 and a 2.99 ERA in the 2024 campaign, when he was an All-Star and received the fourth-most votes for the American League’s Cy Young award.

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