Cole Ragans DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (groin) threw a two-up bullpen session on Wednesday, and if he comes out of that well, he's likely to start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. Ragans is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list this Sunday, but that obviously isn't going to happen. However, the 27-year-old southpaw could have a pretty short rehab assignment, depending on how his first start goes this weekend. When healthy, Ragans serves as the Royals' ace after he was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a career-high 223 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings over 32 starts. Injuries have been a nuisance so far this year and have likely played a big part in his elevated 4.53 ERA, but Ragans does have 72 K's and only 13 walks in his 45 2/3 frames.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (groin) threw a "competitive" bullpen session on Sunday, according to manager Matt Quatraro, and felt good afterward. Ragans has been playing catch and is expected to return from the injured list when he's eligible on June 1. The 27-year-old southpaw is currently on the 15-day injured list after he left his last start on May 16 with tightness in his left groin. He was eventually diagnosed with a mild left-groin strain. Ragans won't require a minor-league rehab assignment, which is good and bad for fantasy managers. He'll return when eligible this weekend, but Ragans will be much more risky in his first start back, whenever that may be. Although he has a 4.53 ERA in his nine starts in 2025, he has struck out 72 batters and walked only 13 in his 45 2/3 innings pitched. If he returns to start on June 1, he'd be facing the division-rival Detroit Tigers at home.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (groin) has continued to play catch and is expected to come off the 15-day injured list when first eligible. The southpaw hit the injured list after experiencing groin tightness during his start on May 16. However, Ragans has continued progressing well and remains on track to return to action when first eligible. Prior to his injury, Ragans was enjoying a strong start to the season, tallying 72 punchouts (fourth most in the AL) across 45 2/3 innings. He has posted a 4.53 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. However, under the hood, the left-hander has generated an elite 2.26 xERA with a .190 xBA, suggesting he should see significant positive regression when he returns to action. While he remains sidelined, Noah Cameron and Daniel Lynch IV should remain in the starting rotation.