Kris Bubic DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Kansas City Royals plan to use left-hander Kris Bubic as a starting pitcher next season, although he'll most likely be on an innings limit of around 140 to 150 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. At the top of the rotation, the Royals are set heading into the 2025 campaign with veteran right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha and lefty Cole Ragans. Kyle Wright (shoulder), Daniel Lynch and Noah Cameron are other options for KC's rotation. If the Royals add another pitcher this offseason, they would most likely be in more of a swing role, and it probably wouldn't come until later in the offseason. The 27-year-old Bubic had TJ surgery in April of 2023 and threw 30 1/3 relief innings late in 2024, finishing with a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 39 K's and only five walks. The Royals have an opening in their rotation after trading Brady Singer to the Reds.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic has been moved to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April. The 26-year-old was limited to just three starts before undergoing the knife last season, tossing a 3.94 ERA in that time. Bubic recently threw his first bullpen session of the spring and is likely to return to the roster somewhere in the middle of the season. He is the owner of a career 4.85 ERA across 70 appearances, 60 of which were starts. The Royals added Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo to their rotation this offseason while the emerging Cole Ragans should headline the group. Even with a healthy return, his 20.2% K% leaves him well off the fantasy radar for the 2024 campaign.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) threw his first bullpen session on Tuesday at spring training since having Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old southpaw threw around 15 pitches (only fastballs) and felt good the day after with no extra soreness in his elbow. It was the first time he's thrown off a mound since last April. He's scheduled to throw another side session on Friday and will have around nine weeks of bullpens with increasing intensity before he faces hitters. Bubic is currently limited to throwing fastballs off the mound but has started to flip in some breaking balls and offspeed stuff while playing catch. He opted for full UCL reconstruction in April of last year and is targeting the middle of 2024 as a potential return date.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday. Bubic is recovery from Tommy John surgery last April and is scheduled for a midseason return in 2024. The 26-year-old southpaw made only three starts for the Royals last year before having surgery, and he went 3-13 with a career-worst 5.58 ERA (4.78 FIP) and 1.69 WHIP with 63 walks and 110 strikeouts over 129 innings and 27 starts in 2022. Bubic won't be a lock for the Royals' starting rotation this summer, either, as long as both Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are healthy around the All-Star break. Fantasy managers in deep-mixed fantasy leagues should hold off on Bubic until he proves he's healthy in the second half.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week at spring training. It's a notable development, as it will be the 26-year-old southpaw's first time throwing off a mound since he had Tommy John surgery last April. He isn't going to be ready to pitch in the first half of the 2024 season, but barring any setbacks along the way, Bubic should become an option for KC's starting rotation at some point in the second half. He only made three starts in 2023 before going under the knife and had a career-worst 5.58 ERA (4.78 FIP) and 1.69 WHIP with 63 walks and 110 strikeouts in 129 innings over 28 outings (27 starts) for the Royals in 2022. Fantasy managers in deep mixed leagues should take a wait-and-see approach on Bubic once he's ready to return later this year.