Stephen Kolek
Breakdown
Performance
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June 15, 2026
Tosses 7.1 scoreless innings Sunday
Kolek (4-1) earned the win Sunday against the Astros, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four over 7.1 scoreless innings.
Analysis
Kolek was impressive Sunday, throwing 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes while generating 12 whiffs. The right-hander retired 11 of 12 batters during the middle innings and worked out of a seventh-inning jam by inducing a double play with runners on first and second. He ran into trouble again in the eighth, exiting with two aboard, but reliever Steven Cruz stranded both runners to preserve the shutout. Kolek has now held opponents to two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, lowering his season ERA to 2.68 to go along with a 1.03 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB across 50.1 innings. He's slated to face the Cardinals in his next start.
June 10, 2026
Dodges traffic in no-decision
Kolek allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings in a no-decision against Texas on Tuesday.
Analysis
Kolek failed to record a 1-2-3 inning, and the Rangers put at least two batters on base in three of his five frames. However, the right-hander escaped with just one earned run on his ledger despite needing 88 pitches to retire 15 hitters. Kolek has now yielded two earned runs or fewer in four of his seven starts, leading to a strong 3.14 ERA. He's lined up to face Houston at home in his next start.
June 9, 2026
Reinstated ahead of Tuesday's start
The Royals activated Kolek from the family medical emergency list Tuesday.
Analysis
Kolek was away from the club for a few days while tending to a personal matter, but he's back in time to start Tuesday's contest at home versus the Rangers. The right-hander has logged a 3.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 38 innings covering six starts for Kansas City this season.
June 9, 2026
Rejoining rotation Tuesday
Kolek (personal) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Kansas City.
Analysis
Kansas City placed Kolek on the family medical emergency leave list Thursday, but the right-hander looks set to rejoin the Royals for the start of their series with the Rangers and won't have to miss a turn through the rotation. The Royals will make his activation official shortly before Tuesday's 7:40 p.m. ET start time.