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 Kansas City Royals' starting rotation took a hit Saturday when left-hander Cole Ragans and right-hander Seth Lugo both were placed on the 15-day injured list.

Both pitchers were All-Stars last season, with Lugo finishing second in Cy Young voting and Ragans placing fourth. Lugo is 3-4 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 56 i