The Royals announced a handful of roster spots ahead of their game tonight against the Rays. Right-handed Jose Kuas again Randy Dobnak they join the group instead of other good ones Eric Cerantola again Connor Seabold. Cerantola was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, and Seabold was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Dobnak was already on Kansas City’s 40-man roster, but Cuas was not. To make room, the team passed to the left Chris Bubic in IL for 60 days.
Cuas, 32, has had a busy career. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2012, he chose to play college ball instead; three years later, he was drafted by the Brewers. A position player at the time, he played all four infield positions in the Milwaukee lineup from 2015-17 but failed to make any kind of impression at the plate. So, he was given a shot in 2018, but the Brewers were less impressed with his work on the mound than they were with his work at the plate, and released him midseason.
Over the next few years, Cuas pitched in the independent Atlantic League and the Diamondbacks’ minor league program. He also delivered FedEx packages when the minor league season was canceled in 2020. It wasn’t until 2022 that the former position player and delivery driver finally made his MLB debut for the Royals, who had bought his contract from the Long Island Ducks the previous year. From 2022-24, Cuas made 132 appearances for the Royals, Cubs, and Blue Jays, posting a 4.37 ERA and 4.43 SIERA. He then spent time in the Phillies and Braves programs before returning to the Royals on a minor league contract this past winter. It’s fitting that Kansas City, the team that gave him his first MLB opportunity, is now giving him another chance, nearly two years since he threw his last major league pitch.
In 29 games for Triple-A Omaha this season, Cuas has an impressive 3.31 ERA. He did a good job of avoiding hard contact, but had trouble throwing strikes. His 29.2% strikeout rate is promising, but his 13.2% walk rate is concerning. The righty could be drafted this year, so now that he’s 40, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make the trip back and forth from Kansas City to Omaha a few times.
Dobnak, like Cuas, will make his debut in 2026 if he enters the game. The Royals acquired him from the Mariners in June after instituting a walkout clause in his contract. The 31-year-old owns a 4.35 ERA and 4.85 FIP in 80 2/3 innings at Triple-A this year.
Seabold’s injury forced him out of yesterday’s game in the middle of the plate. He appeared to make some adjustments on an errant throw to first base. The team initially described the injury as a right lat strain (per Jaylon T. Thompson of the Kansas City Star ), and it has now been diagnosed as a lat strain. It is not yet clear how severe the pressure will be.
As for Bubic, moving to IL for 60 days doesn’t mean any bad news. He could return to the Royals as early as July 15. However, he was scratched from his start in a planned rehab with the Storm Chasers today, with senior vice president Scott Sharp telling Sports Radio 810 WHB that the lefty is on his way from Omaha back to Kansas City for further testing.
