Maikel

Garcia

Garcia has been dealing with issues in his left hand for a while, and while he was able to play through them, it was clear that the 26-year-old was nowhere near 100 percent. He’ll miss at least a week-plus with the ailment, with a chance to return near the start of July. Josh Rojas will provide infield depth in Garcia’s place.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro delivered an encouraging update prior to Monday’s matchup in Tampa Bay, indicating the club is optimistic Witt could be available within the next couple of days after participating in baseball activities, including hitting, fielding and running the bases. The 26-year-old franchise cornerstone was diagnosed with a low-grade MCL sprain in his right knee last Friday. He’s out of the lineup for the third consecutive contest with Maikel Garcia drawing another start at shortstop in his place. It sounds like there’s a strong possibility he manages to avoid the injured list and returns later this week.

Maikel Garcia returns to Kansas City’s lineup at shortstop following a three-game absence due to left hand soreness. There’s optimism Witt will avoid a trip to the injured list after undergoing an MRI on his right knee that revealed a low-grade MCL sprain. Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that Witt is feeling better and will continue receiving treatment before being reevaluated prior to Monday’s series opener against Tampa Bay. There should be a final decision regarding a potential injured list stint prior to that contest.

He has now missed three straight games since being diagnosed with left hand soreness. Nick Loftin again mans the hot corner against Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy.

As of now, the Royals are taking things day-to-day with Garcia, who was pulled from Tuesday’s game due to left hand soreness. There’s a chance that he winds up spending time on the injured list for this though. Nick Loftin will once again start in his place at the hot corner and will bat seventh for the Royals against Cardinals’ left-hander Matthew Liberatore.

Garcia had two plate appearances on Tuesday before being removed with hand soreness. While the Royals have said it was precautionary, it’s fair to wonder if the 26-year-old has been playing through something. Over his last 30 games, he’s slashing .263/.317/.333 with no home runs, 15 RBI, and just one steal. He has a nearly 40 percent hard-hit rate over that span, but just an 80 wRC+. With Garcia not running like he did the last three seasons and also struggling to produce much power, he’s not giving fantasy managers much this year. Nick Loftin will start at third base and bat eighth on Wednesday.

It sounds like a precautionary decision after Garcia went 0-for-1 with a walk in two plate appearances. The 26-year-old third baseman will undergo further evaluation and possibly imaging to determine the severity of the issue. It’s too early to speculate whether a trip to the injured list is looming, but it can’t be ruled out at this juncture. There should be some additional clarity on his status heading into Wednesday’s series finale in Washington.

Garica was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s contest after going 0-for-1 with a walk in two plate appearances. MLB.com’s Anne Rogers speculates that Garcia was dealing with a hand or wrist issue prior to exiting. The 26-year-old missed time earlier this month with a right hamstring strain, but his departure doesn’t appear related to that issue. There should be an update on his status shortly.

It’s a strong performance after Garcia has been slumping. He sits at three homers and five thefts on the year after finishing with 16 and 23, respectively, a season ago. Injuries have played a role, but Garcia’s batted-ball results have taken a hit following what appeared to be a breakout campaign last year. The good news is his contact skills have held steady. He’ll remain a lineup regular as the team visits the Nationals to begin a three-game set on Monday.

He had played four days in a row before sitting here, so this is probably just some load management for a player that we know is dealing with an injury. Nick Loftin is playing third base and batting eighth in Garcia’s stead.