KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have placed outfielder Mark Canha on the 10-day injured list due to a left elbow injury, the team announced Tuesday. Canha, who is in his first season with the Royals following a trade acquisition during spring training, has been hitting .212 with a .537 OPS over 46 games. Despite the setback, Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro assured that the injury does not appear to be serious.
Quatraro elaborated on the situation, noting that Canha has been dealing with epicondylitis, commonly known as “tennis elbow tendinitis,” for about a week. “He thought he’d work through it and turn the corner a little bit,” Quatraro explained. “But a couple of swings yesterday really aggravated it, and he’s more sore. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to put good swings on the ball.”
Roster Adjustments and New Opportunities
In response to Canha’s injury, the Royals have called up infielder Cam Devanney from Triple-A Omaha. Devanney is set to make his Major League Baseball debut, although he was not included in Tuesday’s starting lineup. To accommodate this move, left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Ragans has been sidelined since June 11 with a left rotator cuff strain, and Quatraro described this roster adjustment as “procedural.”
“It gives us a roster spot to call up,” Quatraro stated. “He’s not going to be back by that date, so there was no risk for us to do that. And it gives us the 40-man spot.”
Ragans’ Continued Recovery
Ragans, who had a standout 2024 season reaching his first All-Star Game and finishing fourth in the AL Cy Young voting, remains optimistic about his recovery. “That’s a month away,” he said regarding his return. “I started throwing yesterday, so I don’t really have a full timeline, but it’ll be a lot further into the throwing progression. We needed a roster spot, and that made sense. It literally does not change anything on how I come back, or when I come back.”
Devanney’s Major League Debut
For Cam Devanney, the call-up represents a significant milestone in his career. He expressed excitement about the opportunity, noting that his family and friends would be present for his debut. “I think they’re getting here about an hour before game time, so it’s gonna be a little close,” he said. “But I think they’re gonna make it.”
Devanney has been performing well with Omaha, boasting a .272 batting average, 18 home runs, and 55 RBIs over 69 games. “It’s surreal, man, I’m still processing,” he shared. “I think you survive in this game by being adaptable and versatile. I understand the dynamic up here and what they’re looking for, so I’m just trying to fit their needs.”
Quatraro praised Devanney’s versatility, highlighting his ability to play both infield and outfield positions. “Cam’s had a great year in Triple-A,” Quatraro said. “He had a good year last year. He’s played really well in the infield. He’s played some outfield as well. So his versatility and another right-handed bat was something we were looking for. He could be a versatile player off the bench, which is what he’ll be tonight, but we’re not going to be afraid to play him either.”
Implications for the Royals
The Royals’ decision to place Canha on the injured list and promote Devanney underscores the team’s focus on maintaining roster flexibility amid injuries. As the season progresses, the Royals will need to navigate these challenges while keeping an eye on player development and long-term strategy.
With Ragans’ recovery timeline still uncertain, the team will likely rely on its depth to fill gaps and sustain performance. The Royals’ ability to adapt to these changes could play a crucial role in their success as they aim to improve their standing in the league.
As the Royals continue to make strategic decisions, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these moves impact the team’s trajectory in the coming weeks.
