Royals Seek Comeback Amid Pitching Puzzle

Injuries, strategy shifts, and roster moves put Kansas City's playoff hopes in flux

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp, overlapping planes in the Royals' team colors of royal blue, powder blue, and white, conveying the complexities the team faces in optimizing their pitching staff.A cubist interpretation of a Royals pitcher's mechanics highlights the team's need to find the right formula for success on the mound.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals face an uncertain offseason as they look to rebound from a challenging 2025 campaign. Key players like Alec Marsh and Seth Lugo are navigating injury comebacks and strategic adjustments, while the bullpen's Erceg aims to regain his previous form. The team's offseason moves have drawn mixed reviews, leaving questions about whether they've done enough to become true playoff contenders.

Why it matters

The Royals' ability to bounce back from 2025 setbacks will be crucial in determining their chances of returning to the postseason. Fans are eager to see if the team's pitching staff can find the right formula, while the front office's offseason decisions will be heavily scrutinized.

The details

Alec Marsh lost the entire 2025 season due to a persistent right-shoulder issue, a major setback in his development. Pitcher Seth Lugo is facing questions about whether he should focus more on his off-speed pitches, particularly his changeup, which struggled in 2025 after being a weapon the previous year. Reliever Erceg also saw a dip in performance, which was attributed to lower back strain and a shoulder impingement that affected his pitch repertoire.

  • Marsh's shoulder injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
  • Lugo's changeup was a weapon in 2024 but struggled in 2025.
  • Erceg dealt with lower back strain and a shoulder impingement in 2025, impacting his effectiveness.

The players

Alec Marsh

A Royals player who missed the entire 2025 season due to a persistent right-shoulder issue.

Seth Lugo

A Royals pitcher known for his fastballs, who is facing questions about whether he should focus more on his off-speed pitches, particularly his changeup.

Erceg

A Royals reliever whose fastball lost some velocity in 2025, significantly impacting the effectiveness of his other pitches.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was impossible. You never anticipate such setbacks, especially when you feel like you're making progress in your game. It's a real challenge when you can't even have a healthy training camp, and things just keep getting worse.”

— Alec Marsh

What’s next

As spring training begins, the Royals' success may hinge on the effects of moving the fences at their stadium, a bold decision that fans hope will pay off. The team's offseason moves, including the additions of Matt Strahm and Alex Lange to the bullpen, will also be closely watched to see if they've done enough to become true playoff contenders.

The takeaway

The Royals' ability to navigate injuries, strategic adjustments, and roster changes will be crucial in determining their chances of returning to the postseason. Fans are eager to see if the team can find the right formula to bounce back from a challenging 2025 campaign.