SerpApi.Org
Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium.
The shortstop missed his second game in three days. He didn’t play in Sunday’s finale against the San Diego Padres due to tightness in his back. The injury flared up again Monday as Witt left in the fifth inning.
“He’s still pretty stiff,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean his back spasm (locked up) pretty good yesterday, which is why he came out. And he is still feeling that today.”
Witt’s availability is expected to be day-to-day with the injury. On Tuesday, Tyler Tolbert started at shortstop.
Witt has dealt with back tightness at various points this season. He played through the injury before, but the Royals will take a cautious approach now.
“We have to see,” Quatraro said. “Obviously, we need to get the spasm to relax first and then figure out if it’s something that he can play through and how long that would be until he can.”
The Royals have been hindered by injuries all season. Witt is the latest player sidelined, alongside All-Star pitchers Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic and Carlos Estévez, among others.
Witt also missed six games with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in June. He’s hitting .279 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs this year. He has already stolen 30 bases and his on-base plus slugging is .800.
Witt appeared in his third All-Star Game last week at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
This was the Royals’ starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Giants at Kauffman Stadium:
1. Carter Jensen (C)
2. Lane Thomas (CF)
3. Jac Caglianone (RF)
4. Salvador Perez (DH)
5. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B)
6. Starling Marte (LF)
7. Michael Massey (2B)
8. Nick Loftin (3B)
9. Tyler Tolbert (SS)
