Cole Ragans DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (groin) looked perfectly healthy in Monday's 3-0 win over the White Sox. Ragans was pushed back from his normal rotation due to a groin strain, but he tossed five excellent innings, allowing three hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts. The 27-year-old's ERA has been a little higher than fantasy managers would expect, but he is now 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and an impressive 14.38 K/9 rate in seven starts and 35 2/3 IP. He will face a tough matchup in his next scheduled start, which will be at home against the Red Sox. Even with the slightly inflated ERA, Ragans' strikeout potential makes him a start in all leagues.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (groin) is slated to start Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Ragans was unable to pitch this week due to a groin strain. However, it appears the southpaw will be making a quick return to the bump. This past week, the Royals promoted left-handed pitching prospect Noah Cameron to make his MLB debut as a replacement. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning but was sent back to Triple-A Omaha following this outing, suggesting Ragans would be clear to make his next start. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Ragans in case he faces a setback leading up to Monday's contest. Through his first 30 2/3 innings of work this season, Ragans has posted a 4.40 ERA but flashed elite strikeout potential, tallying 46. If he gets the starting nod on Monday, he will be a popular play in DFS facing the White Sox.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday afternoon, and as long as that goes well, he could be ready to return to KC's starting rotation on Monday at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Ragans has avoided being placed on the injured list, but a mild left-groin strain caused him to be skipped from his last start in the rotation on Wednesday versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Pitching prospect Noah Cameron looked good in his MLB debut in a spot start on Wednesday, but he was already sent back to Triple-A Omaha, so it appears that the 27-year-old Ragans will be ready to go for Monday's series opener against the White Sox. He has a disappointing 4.40 ERA through his first six starts but has also contributed 46 strikeouts in 30 2/3 frames. If Ragans is good to go on Monday, fantasy managers will want to start him in all formats.