Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was held out Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals after an MRI showed a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, MLB.com reported.
The Royals categorized the injury after Witt left Thursday's game with right knee discomfort. MLB's official data lists Friday's Cardinals-Royals game at Kauffman Stadium as a 6-5 Kansas City win, with Tyler Tolbert starting at shortstop and Witt absent from the box score.
Royals Will Reassess Witt On Sunday
MLB.com reported that Kansas City will wait until Sunday, after a scheduled Saturday off day, before deciding whether Witt needs an injured list stint. Manager Matt Quatraro said the injury is not considered surgical, but swelling and Witt's response over the next 24 to 48 hours will shape the decision.
MLB Trade Rumors, citing MLB.com's Anne Rogers, noted that Witt was unavailable for Friday's game and that the Royals could backdate an injured list move by up to three days if they eventually choose that route.
The injury happened Thursday while Witt made a diving play on a grounder by Jordan Walker. He remained in through the end of the defensive inning before Kansas City pinch-hit for him in the bottom half.
Kansas City Infield Depth Gets Tested
Witt's absence landed on an already thin Royals infield. MLB.com reported that Maikel Garcia has been dealing with left hand soreness, while MLB Trade Rumors noted that Vinnie Pasquantino is out with a hamate fracture and Jonathan India underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April.
That left Kansas City using Nick Loftin at third base and Tolbert at shortstop Friday, with Jac Caglianone and Michael Massey on the right side of the infield. The schedule gives the club one idle day before Sunday's series finale against St. Louis.
The Royals' immediate concern is medical rather than tactical. Witt is active, 26, and listed by MLB as Kansas City's shortstop, so even a short absence affects the club's lineup structure and roster flexibility.