Shoulder injuries are notoriously difficult for pitchers to recover from, and Atlanta Braves fans are all too familiar with this concern—especially as they await right-hander Reynaldo López’s return following arthroscopic surgery. Fortunately, López’s procedure revealed no structural issues, meaning his time away won’t be as extended. The same can’t be said for former Braves pitcher Kyle Wright.
Wright, the fifth overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft and a former standout at Vanderbilt, was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2024 in an exchange involving former first-round selections. The deal was partially financially motivated and also reflected the Braves’ doubts about Wright’s ability to rebound from a significant shoulder injury.
Recent developments suggest those concerns may have been well-founded. Wright, now with the Royals’ Double-A affiliate, has thrown only six innings this season. On May 9, the Royals announced he would miss his next rehab start due to shoulder fatigue.
“RHP Kyle Wright has been recalled from his rehab assignment with shoulder fatigue. Our tentative plan is to skip a start or two and have him back out soon,” the Royals stated.
It’s another discouraging update for Wright, who last pitched in the majors in September 2023. Kansas City had hoped he could recapture his 2022 form, when he finally appeared to have solidified his role at the MLB level. However, recurring shoulder problems—dating back to just seven starts into the 2023 season—have derailed that momentum.
Wright underwent surgery later that year, causing him to miss all of the 2024 season. Now, as he attempts a challenging comeback, the recent setback raises questions about whether he can regain his previous performance. Royals fans and Wright alike are hoping that a short rest will get him back on track and contributing at the major league level again before the end of the season.
