Royals Place All-Star Pitcher On Injured List Before Scheduled Start Vs. Red Sox originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals will begin their first head-to-head series on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Tuesday was expected to be a marquee pitching matchup between Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez and Royals southpaw Kris Bubic, but Kansas City announced some unfortunate injury news on their 2025 All-Star Monday afternoon.
“We have made the following roster moves,” the Royals’ official account posted on X, noting that Bubic was being placed on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow soreness.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/yt1zwKr0Pp
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 18, 2026
The 28-year-old had a breakout 2025 campaign, finishing 8-7 with a career-low 2.55 ERA, as well as a sharp 1.17 WHIP across 116 1/3 innings pitched covering 20 starts.
Bubic leads all Kansas City pitchers in strikeouts this season with 51, while going 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 50 1/3 innings (nine starts).
This is the third time in recent weeks that Boston’s opponent has placed one of their scheduled starters on the injured list right before facing the Red Sox.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer landed on the IL on April 27, two days before the three-time Cy Young Award winner was slated to match up vs. Boston.
The Detroit Tigers placed two-time reigning AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal on the IL on May 4, just hours ahead of his scheduled outing against Boston.
The Red Sox are dealing with a number of injuries as well, including ace Garrett Crochet (shoulder), outfielder Roman Anthony (wrist) and shortstop Trevor Story (sports hernia).
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