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The Royals farm system resurgence has continued this season, even stronger than last. That success — paired with off-season additions — gives the Royals an unfamiliar amount of pitching depth. The Kansas City starting rotation has been among the best in baseball, not just in ERA, but in innings pitched as well. That success has included one injury already. The Royals were able to navigate Alec Marsh’s stay on the injured list relatively easy thanks to that added depth.
Somehow, that depth is only set to become deeper as the spring progresses into summer. Lefty Kris Bubic began a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday. He looked solid on the day, pitching three scoreless without walking a batter. By the end of 2023, it looked as if the Royals would need to find a bridge to Bubic’s return. Now, his return looks almost like a luxury.
Bubic’s return signals more depth and flexibility
With the success of the big league rotation, the Royals can take their time with Bubic. The 2018 draftee can stay on rehab assignment for 30 calendar days before he must be returned to the active roster or optioned. Thanks to the depth ahead of him, Kansas City will likely option Bubic to Omaha to allow his buildup to continue at a healthy pace.
There’s a chance he could add to the bullpen, or just hang tight with Daniel Lynch as the next starters in line should a need arise. Bubic is set to make at least a few starts in Double-A before his rehab assignment likely moves up to Omaha.
Additional injury updates in the farm system
Beyond Bubic, the Royals have a few other starters working back from injury. Mauricio Veliz started strong in Columbia but quickly hit the shelf. He’s making starts in the Complex League and should be back soon.
Andrew Hoffmann has been on the 7-day IL since April 17. Prior to that, he had pitched to a 6.14 ERA across four starts. Despite that, his 4.52 FIP showed signs of positive regression on the way. Hoffmann saw an uptick in strikeouts last season after moving to Omaha. He had an 8.97 SO/9 last season at Northwest Arkansas, but that jumped to 10.89 after a mid-season promotion to Triple-A. Thus far in 2024, he’s maintained that at 10.43 SO/9.
Hoffmann is working through a throwing progression in Surprise and should be back from the injured list within the next three weeks.
St. Joseph native Noah Cameron landed on the injured list himself last week. The reports on the injury were that Cameron had suffered from left forearm tightness. He was set to undergo further tests late last week. Those tests came back good, and the lefty is set to return around early June if all goes to plan. Cameron underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2021 before the draft.