Wacha did not factor into the decision in a win over the Guardians on Thursday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.
Wacha loaded the bases in the second inning after walking two batters and hitting another one with a pitch, but the right-hander was able to work his way out of the jam and didn't surrender a run until the fifth when Daniel Schneemann got him for a sacrifice fly. Wacha has gotten little offensive support of late, failing to walk away with a win for the fourth consecutive start despite allowing two or fewer runs in each of those outings. Wacha actually hasn't surrendered more than two runs in seven straight starts, and he lowered his ERA to 3.91 with Thursday's performance.
Wacha (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Royals were blanked 6-0 by the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.
Making his first start in June after recovering from a foot fracture, Wacha was sharp over 74 pitches (52 strikes) but had no margin for error, and a Josh Smith solo shot in the fourth inning tagged him with the loss. The veteran right-hander has given up two earned runs or less in six straight outings dating back to May 9, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 35.1 innings over that stretch. Wacha will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Guardians.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
The Royals reinstated Wacha (foot) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Rangers on Saturday.
Wacha was placed on the injured list June 2 due to a non-displaced left foot fracture he sustained on a comebacker against the Padres on May 31. He made a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six over four scoreless innings. To make room for Wacha, right-hander Steven Cruz was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.
Wacha (foot) struck out six and gave up two hits and no walks over four scoreless innings in his rehab start Monday with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said prior to the outing that Wacha might need just the one rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list and rejoining the major-league rotation this weekend against the Rangers. Given how well he pitched, Wacha looks to be a good bet to be activated this weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday. He's been sidelined since early June with a non-displaced left foot fracture.
Wacha (foot) will make a rehab start Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Sunday that Wacha may need only the one outing in the minors before returning from the 15-day injured list and making his next start with Kansas City this coming weekend in Arlington versus the Rangers. Wacha threw a three-inning simulated game Thursday, so he could be stretched out for close to a typical starter's workload if he's able to tack on another inning during Monday's outing. The right-hander has been on the injured list since June 2 with a non-displaced left foot fracture.
