Royals LHP Kris Bubic (elbow soreness) lands on IL

Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 1:03 am

Royals' Bubic Placed on Injured List with Elbow Soreness

Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow soreness. The move, effective retroactively to May 15, follows Bubic's shortest outing of the season against the White Sox, where he allowed five earned runs in four innings.

Bubic, who holds a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA this season, was scheduled to start Tuesday's game against Boston. However, the team will now utilize a bullpen game in his absence.

The 28-year-old is optimistic about a quick recovery. Bubic, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and a rotator cuff strain in 2025, described the soreness as "very mild." He anticipates a short stint on the injured list, expecting to return in a few weeks.

The Royals have recalled reliever Eli Morgan from Triple-A Omaha to fill Bubic's roster spot. Morgan, a right-handed pitcher, previously pitched in seven games for the Royals this season before being optioned to Omaha. He has an 0-1 record with one save and a 2.61 ERA for Kansas City.

Bubic has spent his entire career with the Royals. In 2025, he posted an 8-7 record with a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts. His career record is 22-38 with a 4.14 ERA.

BNN's Perspective:

While any injury is concerning, Bubic's optimism and the relatively short expected recovery time offer a degree of reassurance. The Royals' decision to prioritize his health, given his recent injury history, is a prudent move. The team's ability to call up a capable reliever like Morgan provides some stability to the pitching staff during Bubic's absence. The Royals will need to manage their pitching staff carefully to remain competitive.

Keywords: Kris Bubic, Royals, injury, elbow soreness, injured list, IL, Eli Morgan, bullpen game, Tommy John surgery, rotator cuff, MLB, baseball, Kansas City Royals, pitching, ERA, starting pitcher, reliever

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