The Royals released Russell on July 22.
After he hadn't pitched in affiliated ball since 2016 due to multiple injuries along with a self-imposed exile from baseball, Russell returned to action in July for the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate. Unfortunately for the 2015 first-round pick, the 24-year-old Russell did little to show he was ready to make good on his pedigree. Over four appearances in the ACL, Russell worked four innings and gave up three earned runs on two hits and eight walks. If Russell wants to keep his career going, he may have to do so in the independent ranks.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Makes return from five-year absence
Rotowire
Russell (elbow) was assigned to the Royals' Arizona Complex League affiliate in late June and has made three appearances at that level, working 3.1 innings in total while allowing three runs on two hits and five walks.
The early returns haven't been impressive for Russell, but the 24-year-old right-hander is likely just happy to be back on the mound again after taking a two-year hiatus from baseball and then undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2020. The 2015 first-round pick will likely need to sharpen his command and control at the rookie level before the Royals assign him to a full-season affiliate.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Recovering from Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Russell is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last May, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
He spent more than two years away from competitive baseball and returned last season only to go under the knife to repair a torn UCL. Russell is expected to throw in extended spring training and then join High-A Wilmington this summer.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Returns to baseball
Rotowire
Russell will return to baseball after a break of over two years and will compete for a minor-league job with the Royals in spring training, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
Russell was a first-round pick by the Royals back in 2015, but severe confidence issues forced him to step away from the game after throwing just two innings in 2016. Russell is still just 22 years old, and the talent that made him the 21st overall pick is still there, but expectations should be very low for a player who hasn't pitched above rookie ball and has been out of the game for so long.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Stepping away from baseball
Rotowire
Russell, the Royals' first-round pick in 2015, is taking an indefinite break from baseball, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.
In two seasons of Rookie ball (2015-16), the right-hander went 0-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 38.1 innings. Last year, Russell dealt with a mechanical flaw that seemingly stunted his growth, so much so that the 6-foot-4, 205 pound pitcher was not assigned to a minor-league affiliate this year. Russell said he was focused on working through some personal issues but didn't wish to discuss the situation at this point. General manager Dayton Moore said Russell had the club's full support. As of now, there's no timeline for a potential return.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Remaining at extended camp indefinitely
Rotowire
Russell has not been assigned to an affiliate for this season and will remain at the Royals' extended spring camp in Arizona while he works through some mechanical adjustments, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.
The Royals' first-round pick in 2015, a high school pitcher out of Indiana, has developed confidence issues in his ability to throw strikes. In 2015, Russell made 11 starts in the Appalachian League, but he managed just two outings (each lasting one inning) in the Arizona League last year before running into the mental blockage. There's no timetable on when the 20-year-old will be assigned to a minor-league roster.
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Royals' Ashe Russell: Unable to pitch since June 23
Rotowire
Russell, the Royals' 2015 first round pick, has only thrown two total innings in 2016.
Russell was assigned to the Arizona Rookie League and has made just two starts this season, lasting only one inning each time. The team has made no official announcement on why he has not thrown more this year.
