Ragans has mild groin strain, status for next start unknown

Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans is dealing with a mild groin strain, manager Matt Quatraro announced Friday, according to Jackson Stone of MLB.com.

Quatraro added that it's too early to say if Ragans will be able to make his next start.

The 27-year-old underwent testing after exiting Thursday's start against the Colorado Rockies due to groin tightness.

"As he was sitting there between innings, between the third and fourth, it tightened up on him," Quatraro said postgame after a 7-4 win in the first game of a doubleheader, according to Dave Skretta of The Associated Press.

Quatraro acknowledged the All-Star left-hander didn't look right, as the pitcher surrendered four earned runs on three hits (two homers) with four strikeouts and two walks while throwing 62 pitches. Angel Zerpa replaced Ragans to start the fourth inning.

"I would assume, you know, if he's not comfortable pushing off, you're seeing him cut some stuff off, which makes sense, based on most of those misses," Quatraro said. "Just probably wasn't getting through it."

Ragans owns a 4.40 ERA with 1.17 WHIP and an AL-leading 46 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings (six starts) this season.