The Kansas City Royals placed starting pitcher Seth Lugo on the seven-day concussion injured list following a scary incident on Wednesday when a line drive by New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo struck Lugo in the face. Right-handed reliever Eli Morgan was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to provide bullpen depth.
The incident occurred during a game in New York when Nimmo’s comebacker hit Lugo at 106.6 mph, striking him on the right side of his forehead. Players from both teams rushed to the mound, with Nimmo among the first to reach Lugo. Despite the severity of the hit, Lugo was able to walk off the field under his own power.
Manager Matt Quatraro confirmed that Lugo has been dealing with lingering symptoms, including headaches and increased head pressure. Quatraro said Lugo felt worse on Friday than he had the day before. The seven-day IL is available for players exhibiting concussion-like symptoms, even without a formal diagnosis.
The loss of Lugo adds to an already strained Royals rotation. Starter Cole Ragans and lefty Kris Bubic have both missed time with elbow injuries. Bubic made a rehab start on Tuesday but reported shoulder discomfort afterward and will undergo further testing this weekend.
With Lugo out, the Royals have only two of their five preferred starters available. Michael Wacha started the series finale against the Texas Rangers, and the team plans to use Luinder Avila, Noah Cameron, and Stephen Kolek for the three-game set against the Houston Astros. A potential bullpen game or a new fifth starter will be needed on Monday to begin a series in Washington.
The Royals have limited options in their minor league system. Mitch Spence, the only healthy depth starter on the 40-man roster, has posted a 7.00 ERA in the minors this season. Non-roster starters such as Aaron Sanchez, Ryan Ramsey, Ben Sears, and Henry Williams have also struggled.
The Royals will need a solution quickly as their rotation depth continues to thin. The team’s next decision will come after the series against Houston, with a potential decision on Monday’s starter expected in the coming days.
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