Lacy announced Tuesday via his personal Instagram account that he underwent Tommy John surgery, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lacy didn't pitch at all in 2023 while dealing with an undisclosed injury, and this latest injury will wipe out all of his 2024 campaign as well. The first-round pick from 2020 has logged a total of 80 innings in affiliated ball in his career. He has yet to pitch above Double-A and will be in his age-26 season by the time he recovers from this latest surgery.

Lacy is not ready to be assigned to an affiliate yet, but he has been throwing side sessions at the Royals' spring training complex, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Lacy's issues with throwing strikes and repeating his delivery, the Royals probably want him really dialed in before they send him off to Double-A or High-A for this pivotal developmental year. The fourth overall pick in 2020, Lacy has a career 7.09 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 80 professional innings.

Lacy (back) was reinstated from the 7-day minor-league injured list Thursday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lacy was sidelined since mid-April due to back tightness, but he began a rehab assignment in June and posted a 9.00 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in eight innings over four appearances with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate. The 23-year-old is now back to full health and will return to the mound at Double-A Northwest Arkansas as the starter during Friday's game.

Lacy (back) has given up three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out three across 3.2 innings through his first two appearances with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League since beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Lucy has been on the shelf for nearly two months due to a back injury and has shown considerable rust since initiating his rehab assignment. In addition to walking more batters than he's struck out, Lacy has also hit a pair of batters with pitches.

Lacy (back) hasn't pitched since April 17 due to back tightness.

EDGE Analysis

Lacy's injury wasn't expected to cost him much time, and Double-A Northwest Arkansas remains optimistic he'll be back soon, but it's concerning given he's missed over three weeks. The southpaw allowed six runs (five earned) with a 13:5 K:BB across 9.2 innings in his first two starts of the season before he was sidelined.

Lacy has posted a 4.96 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 72:34 K:BB across 12 starts (45.1 innings) for High-A Quad Cities this season.

EDGE Analysis

The 2020 MLB Draft's No. 4 overall pick has offered a mixed bag of results in his pro debut, as the strikeout rate is as impressive as the walk rate is troubling. It doesn't appear that Lacy is primed to rocket through the minors, as it'd be nice to see him turn in better results than this as a 22-year-old in High-A. Aside from a stellar outing on July 3 (six innings, nine strikeouts, one walk, one run), Lacy hasn't shown many signs of improving his control, which will be key to him advancing through the organization and ultimately to the majors. There's still plenty of upside here, but it's starting to look like we won't see him in Kansas City until 2023.

Lacy will begin the 2021 season at High-A Quad Cities, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The canceled minor-league seasons last year prevented Lacy from making his professional debut after being selected fourth-overall in the 2020 draft. The Royals clearly see him as a fairly advanced pitcher, as the 21-year-old will begin his pro career just three steps away from the big leagues. He could push for a major-league debut sometime next season if he looks good in the minors.

Lacy received an invitation to the Royals' major-league spring training Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 2020 first-round pick joined the team's alternate training site in August and will now join big-league camp in his first taste of spring training. Lacy has yet to play professionally since the minor-league season was canceled last year, so he'll likely begin the 2021 campaign at rookie ball or the lower minors.

Lacy was added to the Royals' alternate training site Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Lacy was selected by the Royals with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, and he'll begin his development with other top prospects at the alternate training site. The southpaw has a strong repertoire but will work on improving his command with the organization before he presumably begins minor-league play in 2021.