Royals manager Matt Quatraro confirmed Sunday that Lugo (back) won't return this season, Jackson Stone of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo landed on the injured list due to a back issue in early September. He was able to throw a bullpen session early this week but did not respond well. Quatraro explained Sunday that the injury is "not getting better quickly enough to do anything meaningful for him to come out here and force it." Lugo will finish his 10th MLB campaign with a 4.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 125:55 K:BB while posting an 8-7 record over 26 starts spanning 145.1 innings. There's currently no reason to believe that he won't be able to have a normal offseason.

Lugo (back) hasn't resumed throwing after a recent setback and Royals manager Matt Quatraro said this week that a 2025 return is a "longshot," Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo's back didn't respond well to a bullpen session he threw Monday, and he remains shut down from throwing. With just over a week remaining in the regular season and the Royals all but eliminated from playoff contention, a 2025 return seems very unlikely.

Lugo (back) did not respond well to his bullpen session Monday, so he will be shut down for a few more days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo was looking at a possible return in the middle of the week, but Cole Ragans is set to start Wednesday and Stephen Kolek will now take the mound Thursday. Lugo's next probable start as of Tuesday is Sept. 24 at the Los Angeles Angels.

Lugo (back) received a cortisone injection Thursday and will resume throwing Sunday or Monday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals placed Lugo on the injured list Thursday with a lower back strain and also gave him a cortisone shot to address the injury. He'll be back to throwing after a brief shutdown. The shutdown should have minimal impact on his return timeline.

The Royals placed Lugo on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals originally planned to push Lugo's next start back to Saturday after he reported tightness in his lower back. However, he didn't feel any improvement while playing catch Thursday and will now spend the next couple of weeks on the shelf in order to get back to 100 percent. Stephen Kolek was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and is expected to start Saturday's game against the Twins.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lugo's next start will be delayed due to lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo reported tightness in his back Monday, so the Royals will give him a few extra days to recover before sending him back to the mound. The 35-year-old was initially lined up to start Thursday's series finale against the Angels, but that game will now instead belong to Noah Cameron. No official starter has been named for Saturday's contest against the Twins, however, so Kansas City may look to get Lugo on the bump then if his back cooperates.

Lugo (8-7) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo's struggles during the second half of the season continued, as he's now given up at least four runs in five of his last nine starts. The veteran right-hander has also been unable to throw at least five innings on five occasions since the All-Star break, and he has a ghastly 7.51 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB over his last 44.1 frames during that period. Lugo has also issued multiple walks in all but one of his last nine outings, so he'll have plenty to clean up next week at home against the Angels.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

It's been a tough month for Lugo, who's struggled to an 8.87 ERA while allowing eight homers across five starts (23.1 innings) since the beginning of August. Overall, the veteran right-hander's ERA sits at 3.99 this season with a 1.24 WHIP and 120:51 K:BB in 25 starts (142 innings). Lugo will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a rematch with the Tigers at home next week.

Lugo did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's win over the Rangers. He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Both runs against Lugo came via solo homers, with Corey Seager going deep in the first inning and Joc Pederson belting one in the fourth. Lugo did not allow another Ranger to reach scoring position during his outing. It was a much-needed rebound after he was tagged with a combined 13 runs in his previous two starts. However, Lugo has now given up multiple homers in three straight appearances and six of his last eight. Tuesday's 6.1-inning performance was his longest since July 3 and his first time completing at least six frames since July 23. Lugo is sporting a 3.73 ERA with a 115:49 K:BB through 137.2 innings this season. He's currently expected to take the mound in Detroit this weekend.

Lugo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty served up two homers, including a first-inning grand slam by Nathaniel Lowe, before getting the hook after 92 pitches (53 strikes), but Lugo escaped a loss when Kansas City was able to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Lugo's two worst outings of the season have been his last two, as he's been tagged for 13 earned runs in just eight innings, and over 30.1 innings since the All-Star break he's labored to a 7.42 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB. The Royals have an off-day Thursday and options if they want to give him extra rest, but Lugo is currently lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rangers.