Bobby Witt Jr. placed on injured list for first time in five-year career
Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday, with lower back tightness. It marks his first IL stint in his five-year career. Witt missed time Sunday through Tuesday before the placement.
Kansas City placed shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday, with lower back tightness, according to ESPN reporting. The placement marks the first injured list stint of the 26-year-old's five-year career.
Witt sat out Sunday against San Diego, left Monday's game against San Francisco with a back issue, and did not play Tuesday. "It's just kind of one of those things where the type of way I play, I couldn't be myself out there. And I couldn't even be 50% of myself," Witt said, per ESPN.
This season, Witt has been batting .279 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs while leading the American League with 30 stolen bases. He played in his third straight All-Star Game earlier this month, scoring in the AL's three-run first inning during its 4-0 win. His durability has been a hallmark of his young career until now.
Kansas City called up Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha to replace Witt at shortstop. Velazquez last appeared in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 before spending time in several Triple-A systems. The Royals also transferred pitcher Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list. Kolek, who last pitched July 2, is out with a right flexor strain after exiting a rehab start Saturday.
On Wednesday, the Royals acquired right-hander Nate Pearson from the Houston Astros in a trade, sending pitching prospect Max Martin to Houston. Pearson had been designated for assignment by the Astros on Sunday and carries a 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games this season.
Bobby Witt Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with lower back tightness, marking the first injury list stint of his five-year career.
Witt's first career IL stint removes a 30-steal pace-setter from Kansas City's lineup at a mid-season juncture. The Royals made roster moves Wednesday to address the gap at shortstop and bolster their pitching depth, but the absence of Witt's elite on-base and speed tools creates a tangible shift in their contention math.
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