Tyler

Tolbert

Tolbert was everywhere in this one. He homered off Joe Ryan in the third inning to break a scoreless tie and scored again during their two-run rally in the fifth inning. He stole a base later on and has made the most of his opportunity to play more with Bobby Witt Jr. on the injured list. In his last seven games spanning nine days, he has two steals, one home run, and four runs scored.

This felt inevitable after Witt Jr. missed Sunday’s game with a back injury, then returned on Monday, only to leave that game early. The Royals have the second-worst record in the American League and are not in playoff contention, so they will likely be cautious with their star shortstop, especially when dealing with a back injury. We may not see Witt Jr. back for a few weeks. Tyler Tolbert will likely continue to play shortstop in his place.

No surprise here after Witt exited Monday’s series opener after four innings with lower back tightness. The 26-year-old franchise cornerstone has been dealing with the issue for the past few days, and Kansas City is making the sensible decision to give him additional rest rather than risk it becoming a more serious concern. It’ll be speedster Tyler Tolbert getting the nod at shortstop in his place for the second time in the last three games. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

The 26-year-old superstar really didn’t get much of a break while playing in the All-Star Game, so he’ll get a breather on Sunday. Tyler Tolbert will start in his place at shortstop and will hit eighth for the Royals against Padres’ right-hander German Marquez.

Pasquantino suffered a hamate bone fracture on June 13th. He began his rehab assignment on Monday, and it sounds like the Royals don’t need to see much more from him. If Pasquantino does return this weekend, that would push Jac Caglianone back to the outfield, which would likely mean the end of regular playing time for Tyler Tolbert.

Yeah, Tyler Tolbert. He went 2-for-2 before being lifted from Saturday’s game, didn’t play Sunday, went 5-for-5 with a homer and a double (his first two extra-base hits of the season) on Monday and started off 5-for-5 with another homer and three infield singles tonight. Just the homers in back-to-back games is surprising enough from Tolbert. He was without a homer in his previous 49 games between Triple-A and the majors this season. He had four in 129 minor league games in 2024 and four in 93 games between Triple-A and the majors last season. Before going 2-for-2 on Saturday, he was hitting .200 in 35 major league at-bats this season. He’s now at .396. He also has 10 steals after getting one tonight. Tolbert probably won’t keep hitting, but he is an elite basestealer and the Royals figure to give him regular playing time for at least a little while after this surge. Those needing steals could do worse.

The Tyler Tolbert Game. The Royals’ speedy utilityman came into the day with no extra-base hits and one RBI in 43 plate appearances this season. Even in Triple-A, he totaled just two extra-base hits in 20 games. All three of his singles today were softly hit, but he got up to 96.5 mph of exit velocity on his double. His homer left the bat at 94 mph, but it carried 376 feet to left anyway. The Royals had Tolbert at shortstop with Bobby Witt Jr. DHing today. He mostly plays against lefties, but the Royals will probably make an exception and start him no matter who the Mets throw against the on Tuesday.

Witt Jr. has been out of the lineup for five straight games now. He was reportedly available off the bench on Tuesday but did not enter the game. On Wednesday, Tyler Tolbert will start at shortstop again and bat ninth. We know that Witt Jr. has been working out and getting accustomed to wearing a knee brace, but it’s fair to wonder if it might just make more sense to have put him on the injured list and let him heal.

This will make four straight games that Witt is not in the starting lineup as he continues to deal with low-grade MCL sprain in his right knee. He’s considered day-to-day, but the Royals are obviously taking every precaution with their franchise player. With Maikel Garcia (hand) on the injured list, Tyler Tolbert will get the start at shortstop in Witt’s absence.

It would have been surprising if he was, following manager Matt Quatraro telling reporters last night that Witt was heading for additional testing. The 26-year-old superstar’s status for this weekend — at the very least — is firmly in doubt as things stand. Tyler Tolbert is picking up a start at shortstop tonight and batting ninth.