Athletics weighing Kris Bubic as deadline-era pitching option

The Athletics are among the teams tracking Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, according to reporting from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale as relayed by MLB Trade Rumors. The basic fit is straightforward: Bubic is a free-agent-to-be after the season, and if Kansas City does not feel it can climb back into the playoff picture, a rental-caliber starter becomes a sensible way to restock the pipeline.

The complication is health. Bubic has already missed time with elbow soreness, landing on the 15-day injured list on May 18 retroactive to May 15. In his description to reporters, the soreness was “very mild in nature,” and he characterized it as involving the forearm flexor region rather than a deeper elbow problem, with an expectation of a short absence and a return to the rotation after a standard throwing progression. That said, any elbow-related setback carries added scrutiny for Bubic because his pro timeline has repeatedly been shaped by arm injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2023 and a rotator cuff strain that ended his 2025 season early.

MLB Trade Rumors also framed the on-field question as one scouts can answer quickly but not fully: Bubic’s 2026 workload has included 50 1/3 innings over nine starts, with a 4.11 ERA. While he has continued striking batters at a “decent” clip, the early-season control issues have stood out, with a 12.6% walk rate compared with a 9.4% career average. MLBTR additionally noted that hitters have had less chase than in prior years, and more success against his sweeper and his low-90s fastball, suggesting that mechanical repeatability and command timing will matter as any trade medical and workload plan moves from discussion to decision.

From Oakland’s perspective, the timing is tied to both roster construction and the competitive rhythm of the American League. On June 7, MLB Trade Rumors described the Royals as 27-39 and the Athletics as 31-34, placing both clubs in the same general mid-pack band where the deadline market can swing quickly. For the A’s, the need is concrete enough that it already has a shape: rotation help. MLBTR cited a starting group that has included Jeffrey Springs and J.T. Ginn, along with Jack Perkins and two younger rookies, Gage Jump and Kade Morris, as Oakland looks for production that can hold up through late summer.

There is also the ballpark question. While Sutter Health Park tends to be challenging for pitchers, MLB Trade Rumors argued that Bubic could still be an operational fit because of his ability to keep the ball on the ground. Over his career, he has generated ground balls at a 45.7% rate, and MLBTR pointed to a 43.8% mark in 2026 as support for the idea that he can limit extra-base damage even if the environment is not pitcher-friendly.

Ultimately, any potential deal will likely be less about “ceiling” and more about risk management. Bubic’s free-agent status, his salary remaining (reported as roughly $3.88MM on a $6.15MM figure), and the expectation that he could be back in Kansas City’s rotation within a couple of weeks create a narrow window where Oakland could justify pursuing him as a short-term answer. Whether the Royals decide to move him may come down to how close they remain to the postseason boundary as Aug. 3 approaches, and how quickly Bubic’s throwing progression translates into reliable performance after his elbow stint.

What to watch next is medical clarity paired with real bullpen-to-game execution. If Bubic’s bullpen work stays on schedule and his early command sharpens, the “pitcher of interest” tag could develop into concrete offers. If not, the A’s may still scout him, but a tougher health profile would likely push them toward other options as the deadline window narrows. For Kansas City, the decision will also reflect their view of whether they can still win enough in the coming weeks to justify keeping a high-usage starter in-house rather than converting him into prospects.