Cole Ragans is off to a disappointing start in 2026.
The Kansas City Royals suffered another frustrating defeat on Sunday, falling to the New York Yankees as their early-season slide continued. It marked a seventh consecutive loss for the Royals and dropped them even further in the standings.
The loss dropped Kansas City to 7-15, tied with the New York Mets for the worst record in MLB, and the outing marked a new low point for left-hander Cole Ragans. The Royals’ ace entered the year expected to anchor the rotation, but instead he delivered the roughest performance of his five-year MLB career. In fact, his command was the worst it has ever been.
“Cole Ragans set a career-high with seven walks. The next batter, Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham hits a three-run homer,” reported Jaylon T. Thompson of the Kansas City Star.
Ragans would go on to issue one more walk after that update, finishing with a career-high eight free passes in a disastrous outing. It was also notable that he was throwing to Elias Diaz rather than Salvador Perez or rookie Carter Jensen. Diaz, selected from Triple-A on Sunday morning, was making his Royals debut behind the plate. Regardless of the battery, Ragans never found his command at any point and allowed traffic in every inning.
The 28-year-old left-hander took his fourth loss of the season, surrendering seven runs across 4 1/3 innings. His ERA has now ballooned to 6.00, a stunning development for a pitcher who looked like one of baseball’s rising stars not long ago.
Ragans was a breakout force in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting after dominating in his first full season with Kansas City. Acquired from the Texas Rangers at the 2023 trade deadline, he was expected to lead the rotation for years to come.
Instead, the 2026 season has been a struggle from the start. Ragans’ command has wavered, his efficiency has cratered, and the Royals have paid the price. His struggles have been a clear factor in Kansas City’s league-worst record, and the team desperately needs him to regain his form if they hope to climb out of the early hole.
Ragans’ next scheduled start will likely come at home next weekend against the Los Angeles Angels, giving him a chance to reset and attempt to get back on track. The Royals need their ace to look like an ace again, and soon, before the season slips further out of reach.