The Kansas City Royals have activated lefty Kris Bubic from the injured list. The move comes 15 months after Bubic underwent Tommy John Surgery. The 26-year-old former first round pick last pitched for the Royals at the start of 2023. At the time, it looked like things were turning up, as Bubic pitched to a 3.94 ERA with 16 strikeouts and two walks over his first three starts.

His season ended there, but not before optimism was generated that Bubic could finally reach some of the potential he showed in the minor leagues. In 2019, he led the minor leagues with 185 strikeouts. That came over just 149.1 IP with a 2.23 ERA. Upon making his big league debut, Bubic struggled to continue development under pitching coach Cal Eldred. He added a slider prior to the 2022 season, but didn’t use the pitch in game action.

That slider became a focal point for the small sample of success that Bubic saw in 2023. Over the course of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha this season, Bubic looks to have focused instead on a cutter rather than the true slider. The results have remained strong. Over 14 appearances for the Storm Chasers this season (ten starts), Bubic has pitched to a 3.53 ERA. He’s notched 42 strikeouts over 35.2 IP with 13 walks.

Now back in Kansas City, Bubic will likely begin his season pitching from the bullpen, but could quickly factor into the starting rotation should an injury occur. Alec Marsh has been strong this season, but has struggled with consistency of late. It’s possible Bubic could take some starts in the fifth spot should those struggles still continue for Marsh.

In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned lefty Walter Pennington to Omaha. Pennington made his big league debut in Colorado, pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout. Reliever Colin Selby was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster.