Royals Plan to Reinstate Kris Bubic as Starting Pitcher in 2025

The Kansas City Royals have announced their intention to transition Kris Bubic back to a starting pitcher role in 2025. The report, authored by Will Sammon, Katie Woo, and Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, highlights this strategic move after Bubic's remarkable comeback from a 14-month hiatus due to Tommy John surgery.

Having spent the past season pitching out of the bullpen, Bubic delivered an impressive performance. In his 27 relief outings, he maintained a stellar 2.67 ERA over 30 1/3 innings, striking out 32.2% of his opponents while walking just 4.1%. His dominant presence in short stints, including an outstanding whiff rate of nearly 15% compared to the league average of 11.6% for relievers, showcased his potential.

Kansas City's decision to initially place Bubic in the bullpen was likely a precautionary measure, designed to ease him back into action without overburdening his arm. Despite his success as a reliever, the Royals have always viewed Bubic as a starter, a role he is now set to reclaim.

The bullpen, however, remains an area of concern for the Royals. Chris Stratton faced challenges in the first year of his two-year free-agent contract, while Hunter Harvey’s contribution was limited due to back issues. Despite solid performances from John Schreiber and Sam Long, the bullpen lacks a definitive setup man. Former top prospect Daniel Lynch IV, who had a commendable stint as a reliever, could be a candidate for a permanent bullpen role.

​In contrast, the Royals’ rotation appears more stable. With Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha forming a strong trio at the forefront, the team has solidified its starting lineup. Following the trade of Brady Singer for Jonathan India, Kansas City is left with a pool of candidates including Bubic, Alec Marsh, and Kyle Wright, who is making a comeback after missing the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery. All three pitchers still have minor league options and are expected to compete for the remaining spots in the rotation, with potential assignments to Triple-A Omaha if health issues arise.