The Kansas City Royals made a change before a game against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Kansas City Royals have started to turn their season around. After a disastrous opening stretch, the club has climbed to 16-19 and is currently riding a four-game winning streak.
Kansas City opened its six-game homestand Monday with a 6-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians, continuing a much-needed surge after weeks of disappointment.
But as the Royals look to extend their streak to five straight victories, the team was forced to make a change to its pitching plans. Scheduled starter Noah Cameron will no longer take the mound due to lower back tightness.
Instead, Kansas City will hand the ball to right-hander Stephen Kolek, who is set to make his first big league appearance of the season. “RHP Stephen Kolek will start tomorrow's game. LHP Noah Cameron has lower back tightness,” the Royals wrote on X.
It is unclear when Cameron first felt the discomfort, although it likely surfaced during a recent bullpen session. The Royals have not indicated whether he will require a stint on the injured list. Cameron has struggled through his first six starts of the year, posting a 5.40 ERA, but losing a rotation arm capable of eating innings is never ideal for a team trying to build momentum.
Even so, Kansas City should feel confident in Kolek, who has plenty of major-league experience and may even be the better option at the moment. The 29-year-old was a strong candidate to open the season in the rotation but instead began the year at Triple-A Omaha, where he has shown he belongs back in the majors. His demotion to the minor leagues was so the Royals could give Cameron an extended look.
Through four starts, he owns a 2.76 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. Tuesday’s start will mark the beginning of Kolek’s second season with Kansas City. He was acquired last year in a trade with the San Diego Padres that sent catcher Freddy Fermin to San Diego.
Kolek quickly became a reliable arm for the Royals, posting a 1.91 ERA in five starts and helping the Royals make a push for October baseball that ultimately fell short.
Now, with the Royals suddenly surging and looking to keep climbing the standings in the American League Central, Kolek will again be asked to step in and deliver. His return to the mound comes at the perfect time for a team trying to keep its turnaround rolling.