Witt Jr. Injury Concern
Royals MVP Candidate Bobby Witt Jr. Exits Cardinals Game Early with Right Knee Discomfort
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Key Points
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Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Witt’s initial decision to stay in the game was “a little bit encouraging,” but that “watching him come off the field, it was pretty obvious he was going to have to come out.”
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Witt’s injury occurred while he was fielding a Jordan Walker ground ball in the fourth inning—he slid, went down on his knees in the grass, and was unable to get a throw off before rolling in pain.
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After the Royals’ training staff checked him, Witt stayed in the game for the third out despite grimacing and limping—he also appeared to massage the inside of his knee as he was evaluated.
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The Royals’ injury problem extends well beyond Witt: they were already without offensive regulars Vinnie Pasquantino (right hand), Kyle Isbel (left foot), and Jonathan India (left shoulder), and also missing pitchers Seth Lugo (concussion), Cole Ragans (left elbow), and Kris Bubic (left elbow), with bullpen injuries as well.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. left Thursday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning with right knee discomfort, putting his status in serious doubt. The injury happened when Witt slid to field a Jordan Walker ground ball, landed awkwardly on his right knee, and could not get a throw off before rolling in pain on the grass at Kauffman Stadium. MLB.com reported the team ordered imaging after the game, with results expected Friday.
Before exiting, Witt had gone 2-for-2 with his 10th home run and an RBI single. He was on an MVP-caliber pace — batting .294 with 32 RBIs and an MLB-leading 28 stolen bases in 76 games. The Royals won 14-6, but Witt's health quickly overshadowed the blowout victory, USA Today noted.
Witt Grimaced But Tried to Play Through It
After the collision, Royals training staff ran onto the field to evaluate Witt. He massaged the inside of his knee and grimaced visibly. Despite the obvious pain, he stayed in the game to finish the top of the fourth inning. Manager Matt Quatraro called that decision "a little bit encouraging."
But when Witt was scheduled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, Quatraro pulled him. Tyler Tolbert went in as a pinch hitter and took over at shortstop. "Watching him come off the field, it was pretty obvious he was going to have to come out," Quatraro said, according to MLB.com.
This Same Right Knee Had Already Flared Up in June
The injury is not brand new. Witt first left a game with right knee soreness on June 7 against the Minnesota Twins. He returned after a scheduled off-day and missed no extra time. USA Today reported that the June 18 play re-aggravated that same knee, raising concern about a deeper or lingering structural problem.
Medical analysts noted that the mechanism — a sliding stop in the grass that forced the knee into an awkward position — can point to ligamentous strain or meniscus damage. Because Witt also could not make a throw after the play, some experts cautioned the injury may be more than just soreness.
Speed Engine Down: What Witt's Absence Costs Kansas City
Witt is the Royals' most dangerous offensive weapon and their entire speed game. His 28 stolen bases lead MLB. Base stealing requires explosive push-off and knee stability — both of which a right knee injury directly limits. Even a short absence removes the team's biggest threat on the basepaths.
Witt is also in the early years of an 11-year, $288 million contract extension, making his health a franchise-level concern. The Royals sit at 30-45, already 9.5 games out of the division lead, streamlinefeed.co.ke reported. Losing Witt for any stretch likely ends any remaining hope of a turnaround.
Royals' Injury List Has Become a Crisis of Its Own
Witt's exit landed on a roster already held together with tape. The Royals had 10 players on the injured list entering Thursday. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is out after hamate fracture surgery. Outfielder Kyle Isbel has a left foot injury. Second baseman Jonathan India had season-ending shoulder surgery in April, Yahoo Sports reported.
The pitching staff is just as banged up. Ace Seth Lugo is out with a concussion. Cole Ragans has a left elbow impingement with a stalled rehab. Kris Bubic is also on the IL with a left elbow injury. Tyler Tolbert, recalled recently from Triple-A Omaha, is the likely starting shortstop if Witt misses time. Kansas City is running out of healthy bodies.
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