KANSAS CITY — Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced on Sunday that starter Seth Lugo will not pitch again this season.
Lugo was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 4 due to a low back strain, and while he attempted to come back for the final portion of the season, the veteran right-hander did not respond well to an aggressive bullpen session on Sept. 15.
Lugo has still not pitched since, and with just six regular-season games remaining following Sundayâ€s series finale against the Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals are playing it safe with their 35-year-old starter.
“Heâ€s not going to pitch again,†Quatraro said. “Itâ€s not getting better quickly enough to do anything meaningful for him to come out here and force it. So heâ€s going to be shut down.â€
Itâ€s an unceremonious ending to Lugoâ€s second season in Kansas City, one that started with high hopes after he finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2024. He was the Royals†workhouse once again through July, pitching to an ERA of 2.67 on July 8 before signing a two-year extension to remain in Kansas City through the 2027 season on July 28 — putting any Trade Deadline rumors to rest.
Lugo then struggled mightily in August, compiling a 9.11 ERA across six starts — only one of which lasted five or more innings. Command issues were the problem in the second half, as Lugo finished the 2025 season with the second highest walk rate (3.41) of his career. He walked four or more batters in four of his final seven outings of the season after doing so just twice in the 52 outings prior as a Royal.
That could be attributed to workload, as Lugo has thrown more than half (498 1/3) of his career innings since the start of 2023, despite missing time in May with a right finger issue and making his final start this year on Aug. 28.
The Royals still have high hopes for Lugo in 2026 though, and he will be a major part of the clubâ€s rotation if they are going to reach their goal of returning to the postseason. Lugoâ€s early shut down now gives him a longer runway to prepare for just that.
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