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Maikel Garcia Sitting Out With Hand Injury on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest on the road in Washington against the Nationals, according to MLB.com. Nick Loftin is starting at third base and will bat eighth for KC against Nationals right-hander Zack Littell. It's not a huge surprise that Garcia isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game after he was pulled early on Tuesday with left-hand soreness. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 26-year-old day-to-day until we know more about his condition. His next chance to suit up will come on Thursday in the series opener against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Garcia, who has eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield in Yahoo leagues, has been underwhelming so far in 2026 and is currently hitting .259 (9-for-35) with a double, a triple, nine RBI, four runs scored, one steal, four walks, and nine strikeouts in 11 games in June. He's mostly valuable in fantasy for his positional versatility and his speed (he's stolen at least 23 bases in each of the last three years).
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Maikel Garcia Leaves on Tuesday With Apparent Hand Injury
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) was forced from Tuesday's game early against the Washington Nationals with an apparent hand injury, according to Royals announcer Joel Goldberg. Before being pinch-hit for by Isaac Collins, Garcia went 0-for-1 at the plate with a walk. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Garcia's condition and the severity of his injury, either later on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has mostly been a disappointment in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues, as he came into Tuesday's contest with a .267/.325/.380 slash line, .705 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 66 games and 283 plate appearances. Garcia had a career year in 2025 with a .286/.351/.449 slash line, .800 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 160 games. With eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, as well as at least 23 stolen bases in each of the last three seasons, Garcia is universally rostered in almost all of fantasy leagues.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Bobby Witt Jr. Back in Action After Injury Scare
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, starting at shortstop and batting second, according to MLB.com. Witt was pulled from Sunday's game prematurely with soreness in his right knee, but after an off day on Monday, the star shortstop is back in the starting nine and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2019 will return to a .280/.354/.456 slash line, .810 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 33 runs scored across his 261 at-bats in his fifth year in the big leagues. Witt hasn't been as productive recently, hitting .233 (14-for-60) with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI, 10 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 15 games since May 23, but the five-category contributor is a must-start when he's active. He's batting .333 with a 1.000 OPS and three RBI in 12 career at-bats versus Eovaldi.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bobby Witt Jr. Exits Early with Knee Soreness
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. It's unclear when the injury happened, but Witt was pulled from the game in the seventh inning due to right knee soreness. Before leaving, Witt was 0-for-4 at the plate, so possibly the knee issue was impacting his swing. For now, Witt should be considered day-to-day until the team gives further information. The Royals are off on Monday, so there's a chance that Witt doesn't miss any games. Josh Rojas and Nick Loftin are potential replacements if Witt does miss time.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia Back From Hamstring Injury to Face the Twins
Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat cleanup for the Royals in Saturday's contest against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field, per MLB.com. Josh Rojas is starting at third base. Garcia is returning from a right-hamstring strain that kept him out of each of the team's last six games, although he did enter as a pinch-hitter in both of the last two games. Now that he's back in KC's starting nine, fantasy managers will want to get him back in there on Saturday against Ryan, whom he's hit .313 against in his career with an .833 OPS, a home run, and three RBI in 16 at-bats. The 26-year-old Venezuelan infielder will return to a .267/.327/.382 slash line, .709 OPS, three home runs, 22 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 225 at-bats in 2026. In 15 games since May 16, Garcia has gone 15-for-55 (.273) with three doubles, four RBI, and four runs scored.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Maikel Garcia Still Bothered by Hamstring Injury
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) remains sidelined for Tuesday's contest on the road in Cincinnati against the Reds, according to MLB.com. Nick Loftin is making the start at the hot corner for KC and will bat sixth against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott. Garcia is dealing with a strained right hamstring and will be missing his third straight game. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Wednesday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action. If Garcia cannot get back into the starting nine by the end of the week, it's a good bet that he'll be placed on the 10-day injured list. The 26-year-old Venezuelan infielder hasn't shown much power in 2026 after clubbing a career-best 16 round-trippers in 160 games in 2025 in his first All-Star season. So far, Garcia is batting .268 (60-for-224) with only three homers, 21 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 56 games. His power/speed upside remains intriguing in all fantasy formats, though, so Garcia should be stashed everywhere if he does go on the IL. He's rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
