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Pitcher Kris Bubic wins arbitration case vs. Royals
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- Pitcher Kris Bubic wins arbitration case vs. Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals will have to pay one of their starting pitchers more than they would have liked this season, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand .
The arbitration hearing for the Royals and left-handed starter Kris Bubic is now complete, and Bubic will earn $6.15 million in 2026, his final year of arbitration. The Royals initially filed at $5.15 million.
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The hearing comes after a 2025 season that was wildly impressive but also disappointing, as the 28-year-old suffered a rotator cuff strain in late July, ending his season just after the All-Star break.
Bubic racked up eight wins in his 20 starts in 2025, posting an incredible 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts and 39 walks. With fellow lefty Cole Ragans on and off the injured list and right-handed veteran Seth Lugo's regression in 2025, Bubic was widely considered the Royals' best option as a starter over the course of the season before his injury.
2025 also saw Bubic's first All-Star appearance. However, as mentioned above, he'd be shut down for the year following just one start after the break.
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Now, Bubic will look to build on his 2025 performance. If he and the other starters on KC's roster can stay healthy, the Royals will likely have a rotation comparable to that of 2024.
Bubic and the other Royals pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona on Wednesday, and will begin play on Feb. 20 against the Texas Rangers .
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