Bullpen crisis deepens
Key Questions
Why was Bobby Witt Jr. placed on the injured list?
Bobby Witt Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL due to back tightness, which is a significant blow to the Royals' lineup. He remains on the IL as of July 26, along with Ragans and Bubic.
Is Bobby Witt Jr. a trade candidate?
Trade rumors linking Bobby Witt Jr. to other teams have been debunked. He is not considered a trade candidate by the Royals.
How is the Royals' pitching staff affected by injuries?
In addition to Witt Jr., pitchers Ragans and Bubic are also out, further impacting the team's roster depth during this period.
Royals have 21 blown saves (3rd-most in MLB). The bullpen blew another lead on Aug 12, costing Wacha a win. Owner Sherman's comments about 'cobbling together' the bullpen for 2027 signal a bleak outlook. Kimbrel activated but hasn't fixed the closer role. Internal options like Cruz and Way being considered. A recent article highlights bullpen tryouts including Kimbrel and Pearson.