The Royals had to improvise after Kris Bubic's injury.
The Kansas City Royals entered Tuesday's matchup with the Boston Red Sox at a disadvantage, as starting pitcher Kris Bubic was placed on the 15-day IL with elbow soreness the day before. The southpaw was originally scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, so the Royals had to pivot to a bullpen game, per MLB.com.
That didn't go well, as Kansas City lost 7-1. Left-hander Brady Falter gave up two runs on four hits over two innings to open the game before right-handers Luinder Avila and John Schreiber combined for four scoreless frames. Then, right-hander Nick Mears coughed up one run over two innings before fellow right-hander Eli Morgan allowed four runs on seven hits in the ninth.
Kansas City called up the latter pitcher from Triple-A when it shelved Bubic, and he now has a 5.56 ERA over eight outings this season. He also has a 0.00 ERA over 11 Triple-A outings, but he didn't take that dominance with him to the top level on Tuesday.
Royals Must Deal With Shorthanded Pitching Staff
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic (50). © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesKansas City will need better performances from its bullpen moving forward, as southpaw starter Cole Ragans (elbow) is also on the 15-day IL. Ditto for reliever Matt Strahm (knee) and closer Carlos Estevez (foot), so the unit must do well without two of its main pieces.
Luckily for the Royals, they still have several reliable options available. Schreiber (3.26 ERA), Mears (3.06 ERA), left-hander Daniel Lynch IV (1.80 ERA), and right-hander Lucas Erceg (3.26 ERA) are all earning their money so far this season, and the latter hurler is tied for fifth in baseball with 11 saves.
Additionally, right-handed starters Michael Wacha (4-2, 2.83 ERA) and Seth Lugo (1-4, 3.68 ERA) must eat innings in their next outings to take pressure off the bullpen. Kansas City could also use a quality start or two from southpaw Noah Cameron (2-3, 5.40 ERA), who has two out of his eight outings this year.
The Royals are now 20-29, tied with the Detroit Tigers for last place in the AL Central. Both clubs are 7.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for first.
Up next for Kansas City is the series finale against Boston on Wednesday before hosting the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. After that, it'll hit the road to face the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins.
Wednesday's game starts at 7:40 p.m. ET. Wacha will start against Red Sox southpaw Connelly Early.
