Royals' Seth Lugo on Track to Return from Concussion List Friday
Veteran right-hander clears final hurdle in bullpen, set to start Friday.
Veteran right-hander clears final hurdle in bullpen, set to start Friday.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo is expected to come off the concussion list and start Friday, after completing a bullpen session Tuesday without any issues. The 36-year-old's return removes a major question mark from a rotation that needs stability during a tightly contested AL Central race. Lugo suffered a concussion during his previous start and was placed on the seven-day concussion list.
He followed Major League Baseball's return-to-play protocol, which included a period of rest, light exercise, and ultimately a bullpen session. Tuesday's session was the final test; Lugo threw without any symptoms and was cleared by the team's medical staff. The Royals plan to activate him before Friday's game, slotting him back into a rotation that has lacked consistency.
Without Lugo, the team had to rely on bullpen games, which taxed the relief corps. His ability to eat innings and keep games close offers a significant boost. Lugo has been a steadying force all season, providing veteran leadership to a young staff.
Manager Matt Quatraro expressed confidence in Lugo's recovery. 'He went through all the steps and felt great,' Quatraro said after Tuesday's session. ' Lugo's careful adherence to concussion protocols underscores the league's emphasis on player safety.
His return is a testament to both modern medical standards and his own resilience as a 36-year-old veteran who has bounced back from injuries before. What's next: Lugo will start Friday, and the Royals will monitor his pitch count and any recurrence of symptoms. If he provides his typical six or seven innings, it will immediately strengthen a rotation that has relied heavily on its bullpen.
With the AL Central race tightening every week, Lugo's return could be the difference between contending and falling back. The Royals need him to stay healthy and effective down the stretch to keep pace with the Guardians and Twins. Read at ESPN
Lugo's return removes a question mark from the Royals' rotation just as the team faces a critical stretch. Without him, the rotation was unstable, forcing bullpen games and stressing relievers. His ability to eat innings and keep games close offers a significant boost to Kansas City's playoff positioning. The veteran's comeback from a concussion is a testament to both modern medical protocols and his personal resilience. It solidifies the rotation's top half and raises the Royals' ceiling for the stretch run.
ESPNespn.com16 Jun, 22:16en
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