Royals prospects Bergert, Kudrna land on Triple-A IL with elbow discomfort

Kansas City’s upper-minors pitching depth took a direct hit when Ryan Bergert and Ben Kudrna both landed on Triple-A Omaha’s injured list with right elbow discomfort. The two right-handers were among the Royals’ most important starting depth pieces, and their absences now leave the club with fewer ready-made answers if the big league rotation needs help.

Bergert’s issue surfaced when he was removed from his start for Omaha on Tuesday, April 7. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that Bergert will get a second opinion on the elbow, and the club had him travel to Kansas City to be examined by its medical staff. The Royals expect a clearer picture after that visit. Bergert had entered the season as one of the main contenders for a rotation spot in spring training, but Kansas City optioned him to Omaha on March 17 so he could stay stretched out as a starter and remain an early depth callup.

That plan made Bergert especially valuable. In an organization that entered the season with multiple rotation depth options, he was one of the arms closest to helping the Royals if injuries or inefficiency hit the major league staff. His previous elbow-related stint only adds to the concern. Bergert was on the 15-day injured list in September 2025 after feeling forearm tightness in a bullpen session and was diagnosed with a right elbow strain.

Kudrna’s injury arrived in the same week and carries its own significance for Omaha and Kansas City. The Royals placed him on the 7-day injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort, and the injury may have been tweaked during his outing against Buffalo on April 5. In that start, he allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two over two innings. Kudrna will also get a second opinion to determine a rehab program and recovery timeline.

The 23-year-old right-hander was born in Shawnee Mission, attended Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, and the Royals drafted him in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft with the 43rd pick. MiLB currently lists him as injured with Omaha. For a club already balancing its 2026 rotation picture, losing both Bergert and Kudrna at once complicates the next call-up line and pushes the Royals deeper into their organizational pitching pool.