SerpApi.Org
For a team that is expected to sell at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, the Kansas City Royals decided to protect their most important asset on Wednesday.
After being in and out of the lineup over the past couple of weeks with lower back tightness, Kansas City finally decided to place Bobby Witt Jr. on the 10-day IL. While the injury has impacted Witt's recent availability, it certainly has not affected his productivity on the field. The superstar leads the American League in WAR this year and is one of the favorites to take home the AL MVP Award.
Of course, a lengthy absence could throw a wrench into those plans. Back injuries can be difficult to resolve and easy to reaggravate given the torque involved in hitting mechanics, as well as playing a physically demanding position like shortstop. Any absence longer than the minimum 10 days could shift the balance of AL MVP voting over to Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros or Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Over the course of his career, Witt has been a resilient player, although he did experience some back tightness in 2025 as well. That spell was not enough to warrant a stint on the IL for Witt. With just over two months left in the regular season, the Royals could opt to keep Witt on the sidelines until his back is fully healthy. With the second-worst record in the American League, the Royals won't be in any rush to get Witt back in the lineup unless the team wants him to secure an MVP Award.
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For the season, Witt is slashing .279/.350/.450, with 13 home runs, 39 RBI, and an AL-leading 30 stolen bases. Witt has led the AL in total hits the past two seasons, but a third consecutive season may soon be out of reach with this IL stint. This is the first time in Witt's career that he has landed on the IL. Before this, he had never played fewer than 150 games in any of his four MLB seasons.
In a corresponding move, the Royals selected the contract of infielder Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. To make room for Velazquez on the 40-man roster, the Royals moved pitcher Steve Kolek from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL with his flexor strain injury.
