Ragans, a 6-4 left-hander, has a 2-3 record with a 4.53 ERA. He has 72 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings over his nine starts. He finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting last season. “There’s never a good time to go in the I.L.,” Ragans said, “so it sucks but if there is a (good) time, it’s earlier rather than later (in the season).”

The Royals’ rotation took a big hit on Saturday when the team placed Seth Lugo (right third finger sprain) and Cole Ragans (left groin strain) on the 15-day injured list. Lugo’s IL stint is retroactive to Wednesday.