Ragans is staying positive after another injury.
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans left Wednesday night's game against the Cleveland Guardians after just three innings with left tricep and elbow soreness.
The Royals had won five straight coming into the game, and through 58 pitches, Ragans had allowed one hit with four strikeouts and no earned runs before the discomfort pulled him off the mound.
Luinder Avila took over in the fourth and gave up the lead, and the Royals went on to lose 3-1, dropping to 17-20 while Cleveland improved to 19-19.
What Ragans Said After the Game
Ragans told reporters postgame that the soreness built up as the third inning went on.
"Yeah, just bottom of the tricep and back of the elbow," he said. "Just got a little tight. I've been through the elbow stuff. You know, it got to a point where I didn't feel like I needed to push it anymore. Talked to [Royals pitching coach Brian] Sweeney and all of them. Figured that was the best decision."
He felt good about his stuff before the tightness showed up.
"I thought the ball was coming out good and the stuff was good," Ragans said.
What stood out most was Ragans saying the sensation was nothing like the elbow problems that have plagued him before.
"I haven't felt anything like this," Ragans said. "I've been through the elbow stuff. I know it's not what I've been through before. So we'll kind of do some other stuff and kind of go from there."
A Tough Start to the Season
Wednesday's early exit was just the latest chapter in a frustrating 2026 for Ragans.
The 28-year-old came into the start carrying a 5.29 ERA and a 1-4 record through seven outings, and while the strikeout numbers were still there, the results looked nothing like a pitcher who finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting two years ago.
His line after Wednesday sits at a 4.84 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks across 35.1 innings in eight starts.
He can still miss bats, but the consistency the Royals need from their ace has not been there.
Injury Concerns Continue to Follow Ragans
None of this is too surprising for Ragans.
Two Tommy John surgeries during his time in the Texas Rangers' minor league system, then roughly 100 games missed in 2025 with a rotator cuff strain and a groin injury that put him on the injured list twice.
He came back for three starts in September and was sharp, which gave Kansas City reason to believe he was past the worst of it heading into 2026.
Earlier this April, he left a start against these same Guardians with a left thumb contusion after a Jose Ramirez comebacker hit his hand.
Kansas City built its pitching plans around Ragans this season, and any missed time would sting for a staff that has already been inconsistent through six weeks.
The Royals will run Ragans through further evaluation on Thursday.
With the team riding a hot stretch and the American League Central still very much up for grabs, Thursday's news matters.