Hamate Injury Halts Streak
Royals star Vinnie Pasquantino suffers hamate injury, leaves game vs. Astros
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Key Points
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Pasquantino entered the contest with his hitting streak extended to eight games, and got another single before leaving the game.
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After popping up in the bottom of the fifth, Pasquantino grimaced, looked at his hands while jogging toward first base, then went down the tunnel without meeting with a trainer (and later visibly appeared to clutch his side).
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The at-bat that preceded his exit resulted in a popout to Astros third baseman Isaac Parades, and when he left the game the score was tied 4–4.
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Pasquantino’s RBI single came in the third inning off Astros starter Mike Burrows (and he entered his past-15 stretch batting .310 with a .394 on-base percentage).
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Earlier this season, the Royals said Pasquantino was sidelined by low-back tightness at the end of April; he missed one game after being removed on April 28 versus the Athletics and then had a pinch-hit appearance two days later before returning to full action.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino left Saturday's game against the Houston Astros with a right-hand hamate injury, and has since undergone surgery, according to Washington Post. He now faces up to six weeks on the sideline — a blow that arrives just as he was hitting his best baseball of the season.
The injury occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Pasquantino popped out to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, then grimaced and clutched his right hand. He walked straight into the tunnel without stopping to meet a trainer. The Royals placed him on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right hamate bone, per Royals Keep.
Pasquantino Exits Mid-Streak at His Best
The timing stings for Kansas City. Pasquantino had hit safely in eight straight games coming in, and added an RBI single off Astros starter Mike Burrows in the third inning to make it nine. Over his last 15 games, he was batting .310 with a .394 on-base percentage — a sharp uptick from his season line of .224 with six home runs and 32 RBIs.
He finished the day 1-for-3 before exiting with the score tied 4-4. The game later reached a 7-7 tie before a rain delay halted play in the top of the eighth inning.
Surgery Confirmed, Six-Week Recovery Timeline Set
Pasquantino underwent surgery on the fractured hamate bone in his right hand, Winnipeg Free Press reported. The hamate is a small bone in the palm. When it breaks during a swing, the hooked portion is typically removed surgically. Recovery usually runs four to eight weeks, with grip strength and bat speed taking additional time to fully return.
The Royals confirmed the procedure and said Pasquantino could miss up to six weeks, per Eastern Herald. Manager Matt Quatraro said Pasquantino "felt a sharp sensation on the swing" and that the team was awaiting imaging before making a full assessment.
Royals Shuffle Defense, Turn to Caglianone at First
The moment Pasquantino headed to the tunnel, Kansas City reorganized. Jac Caglianone — the team's highly regarded 2024 first-round pick — moved from his usual role to cover first base. Isaac Collins entered in left field. Lane Thomas shifted to right field.
Caglianone is now expected to serve as the primary everyday first baseman during Pasquantino's absence. The Royals are also likely to recall a left-handed bat from Triple-A Omaha to fill the roster spot, per the team's internal contingency planning.
Second Injury Scare Raises Durability Questions for KC
This is not Pasquantino's first health scare in 2026. On April 28, he was pulled from a game against the Oakland Athletics with low-back tightness. He missed one game, made a pinch-hit appearance on April 30, and returned to regular action shortly after. Now a separate injury — to his hand — has forced a longer absence.
The Royals are 28-43, sitting behind Cleveland in the AL Central, per Eastern Herald. Losing a corner bat who drives in runs — 32 RBIs despite a modest .224 average — puts pressure on the front office to either make a trade or lean on youth. Either way, Kansas City's window to climb back into contention just got a little smaller.
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