Brady Singer & Brad Keller hit injured list. These Royals prospects will replace them
Injuries continue to mount for the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals added two more players to the injured list on Tuesday. KC pitchers Brady Singer and Brad Keller were both placed on the 15-day injured list.
The veterans are the latest Royals to be sidelined after Royals captain Salvador Perez was placed on the seven-day injured list with concussion symptoms on Monday.
Singer sustained a left lower lumbar strain. Meanwhile, Keller is experiencing symptoms associated with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Keller is slated to see a specialist to determine the extent of his injury.
Both players are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
“Singer, we know, has been battling through some stuff and his back has been one of the things,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It got worse during the game yesterday, worse postgame and worse today.”
Singer has pitched a career-high 29 starts and 159 2/3 innings. He also represented Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The Royals wanted to address his lingering back issue as the season winds down.
“We are trying to use caution here, to finish this way, so that he is set up for a normal offseason and normal spring training coming into next year,” Quatraro said.
Singer allowed four runs against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. He has posted an 8-11 record and 5.52 ERA this season.
Keller has dealt with a shoulder injury all season. He made two rehab stints and recently returned in a bullpen role. Keller last pitched Sunday against the Houston Astros, allowing three runs and three walks in one relief inning.
“Brad’s been battling his shoulder for the better part of this year,” Quatraro said. “His symptoms just haven’t resolved. We thought the best thing to do is get him to see a specialist tomorrow.”
TOS occurs when nerves and blood vessels are compressed near the shoulder area. Per MLB, the thoracic outlet sits at the lower part of the neck and behind the collarbone. It extends into the upper arm and chest.
Players can experience TOS symptoms that include numbness and pain in their arm or hand. Keller noted he felt discomfort when he raised his arm in an elevated position. It caused him to struggle with commanding his pitches.
“For him, more than anything, to get back to where he can be would be a major thing,” Quatraro said.
Royals reliever Josh Staumont also dealt with a similar injury. He underwent TOS surgery earlier this season and is currently on the 60-day injured list.
Royals bring up two prospects
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted pitchers Jonathan Bowlan and Anthony Veneziano from Triple-A Omaha.
Both players are slated to make their MLB debuts with the Royals. Bowlan was already on the Royals’ 40-man roster, while Veneziano was added. KC also designated infielder Matt Beaty for assignment.
“The emotions, I can’t even explain as this is unbelievable,” Veneziano said. “This is a childhood dream of mine, and it doesn’t even feel real yet. I’m excited to get out there to just play catch and kind of be one of the guys. Then I think I will settle in.”
Veneziano is the Royals’ No. 16 prospect. He has pitched across two minor-league levels this season and posted solid numbers, including a 4.22 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) with Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals will utilize both Veneziano and Bowlan as relievers. They will initially operate out of the bullpen but could receive a spot start down the stretch.
“I’m extremely excited right now,” Bowlan said. “I’m glad to be here and glad to see how things go. Just continue to keep working to be the best I can be. Hopefully, help the team.”
Bowlan was drafted in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He worked his way through the minor leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021.
This season, Bowlan has appeared in 24 minor-league games between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha.
“It’s very special to be back up here with all these guys that you had success with in the past,” Bowlan said.
Both players had quite the journey to arrive in Kansas City. Bowlan heard the news at baggage claim before his final Triple-A road trip in Columbus, Ohio. Veneziano made the 11-hour drive to Columbus and learned of the news when he arrived on Monday night.
They each got on a plane and joined the Royals on Tuesday. Now, both prospects have a chance to impress in short order.
“I’ve been in this clubhouse once, but it wasn’t for this,” Veneziano said. “This is really cool being here.”