RADIO
Maikel Garcia Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday
The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Matthew Lugo to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Garcia will immediately return to Tuesday's starting lineup against the hosting Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown, starting at third base and batting cleanup for the Royals. The 26-year-old Venezuelan returns for the final couple of weeks of the regular season as he looks to turn his season around in short order. Garcia has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers this year, playing in only 73 games due to injury and hitting .269/.324/.385 with a .709 OPS, only three home runs, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 309 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. It is especially disappointing when considering that Garcia was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he slashed .286/.351/.449 with 16 homers, 74 RBI, 23 steals, and 81 runs scored in 160 games.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia Slated to Start Rehab Assignment on Thursday
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, per a team announcement. It's been a bit of a lost year so far for Garcia, who has been limited to just 309 plate appearances in 2026 due to hamstring and hand injuries. However, it appears that the 26-year-old is working towards a return before the end of the regular season. Across 666 plate appearances in 2025, Garcia hit .286 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. Upon his return from a hamstring injury, Garcia may not be overly aggressive on the basepaths. Still, he profiles as an asset for fantasy managers as a run producer and a source of batting average when he's on the field.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia Progressing, Not Ruling Out a Late-Season Return
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is progressing well and is running at 80 percent while participating in baseball activity, according to MLB.com. Garcia has not ruled out a late-season return after straining his hamstring while running the bases on Aug. 20. The Royals placed him on the 10-day injured list the following day with a strained left hamstring. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 after he was a first-time All-Star last year, when he hit .286/.351/.449 with an even .800 OPS, a career-high 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 160 games and 666 plate appearances. Garcia just has not been healthy in his fifth year in the majors, playing in only 73 games while hitting .269/.324/.385 with a .709 OPS, three homers, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five steals. Garcia is particularly attractive because of his speed and multi-positional eligibility in fantasy baseball leagues, but he is quickly running out of time in 2026 to produce, and he is now rostered in only 66% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Maikel Garcia Likely Headed to Injured List
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is likely headed to the 10-day Injured List, according to Joel Goldberg. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the team plans to place him on the shelf after Garcia suffered a hamstring strain during Thursday's win over the Athletics. This is a tough break for Garcia, who was playing in just his fourth game since returning from nearly a two-month absence. If he is placed on the IL, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until some point in September. Nick Loftin figures to return to being the primary third baseman in Kansas City. Fantasy managers might want to consider moving on from Garcia, who is looking at a multi-week absence.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Maikel Garcia Reinstated From Injured List and Starting on Monday
The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) from the 10-day injured list, and he will start at third base and bat cleanup in his return in the series opener at home against the visiting Athletics and right-hander Mason Barnett. Fantasy managers in need of stolen bases should look to scoop Garcia up right away if he is available in your league. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has been injured for much of the year and has not lived up to expectations after hitting 16 home runs and stealing 23 bases in 2025, but he could do some damage for fantasy managers the rest of the way. Garcia will return to a .261/.320/.373 slash line with a .693 OPS, three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 69 games and 294 plate appearances. He racked up 83 stolen bases from 2023 to 2025 with the Royals and is eligible at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. Garcia went 4-for-10 at the plate with a double and a steal in three minor-league rehab games last week with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia Could Rejoin the Royals on Monday
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) didn't play in a minor-league rehab game on Sunday, but if he's feeling good, there's a chance he could come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league club on Monday before their series opener at home against the Athletics. Garcia has gone 3-for-16 at the plate on his rehab assignment after joining Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, and the 26-year-old could be on the verge of rejoining the Royals for the first time since being put on the 10-day injured list with a muscle strain in his left hand back on June 23. When he's activated, Garcia should take over as the team's starting third baseman, which will push Nick Loftin back to a utility role off the bench. Garcia has just three home runs, 30 RBI, and five stolen bases in 2026 in his fourth full season in the majors, but he did have 16 homers, 74 RBI, and 23 steals in 160 games as a first-time All-Star in 2025, and he had 83 stolen bases from 2023-25. With eligibility in Yahoo leagues at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, Garcia should at least be a versatile speed threat for fantasy managers the rest of the way. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
Source: Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
Maikel Garcia to Begin Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday. This is encouraging news on Garcia, who has been sidelined since June 22 due to a strained muscle in his left hand. He was nearing a return before experiencing renewed soreness in his left in late July and needed to be pulled off his rehab assignment. It's unclear how long Garcia will need before rejoining the Royals, but he should be back in the mix within the next week or so. In the meantime, Nick Loftin should continue getting everyday reps at third base until Garcia is ready. Fantasy managers looking for help for a playoff push should consider stashing Garcia.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia Could Resume Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) could resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha as early as Wednesday, according to Pete Grathoff. Garcia was scheduled to do fielding drills ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. If everything continues to go well, Garcia could be back in action as early as Wednesday. He was previously pulled off his rehab assignment due to renewed soreness in his left hand. Nick Loftin has been serving as the primary third baseman while Garcia has been sidelined. He'll return to a reserve role once Garcia is back, which is hopefully in the coming weeks.
Source: Pete Grathoff
Source: Pete Grathoff
Maikel Garcia Shut Down for Five Days After Receiving Injection
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) felt more discomfort in his left hand during his first minor-league rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on July 28. He visited with a hand specialist on Tuesday and received a cortisone injection. The Royals will shut Garcia down for around five days and then will ramp up his baseball activities again, according to MLB.com. He's been on the 10-day injured list since June 23 with a muscle strain in his left hand. The 26-year-old should be able to return to the Royals before the end of the season, but he might not be reinstated from the IL until later this month. The Venezuelan right-handed hitter has not lived up to expectations in his fifth MLB season due to injuries, and he's currently hitting .261/.320/.373 with a .693 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs, and five stolen bases in 69 games and 294 plate appearances after being named a first-time All-Star in 2025. Garcia will return to regular duties at third base when he's cleared, and he remains rostered in 78% of Yahoo leagues despite his lengthy absence.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Maikel Garcia to Visit a Hand Specialist
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) is scheduled to see a hand specialist next week, according to Jaylon Thompson. Garcia has been sidelined since late June due to a left-hand muscle strain. He began a rehab assignment on Tuesday, but was quickly pulled off due to renewed pain in his left hand. The Royals should have a better timetable for Garcia after he is evaluated by the hand specialist. Fantasy managers should continue to hold the 26-year-old and be hopeful for a return sometime this month. There should be another update on his status later this week.
Source: Jaylon Thompson
Source: Jaylon Thompson
Maikel Garcia Suffers Setback on Rehab Assignment
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) has been pulled off his minor league rehab assignment. Garcia felt renewed pain in his left hand while playing in a rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday. The team has decided to have Garcia head back to Kansas City for further evaluation. Garcia has been out since late June due to a muscle strain in his left hand. Fantasy managers were hopeful to get Garcia back soon, but that seems unlikely now. There should be a better timetable for Garcia once the team is done evaluating him. Fantasy managers should check back for another update in the coming days.
Source: Anne Rogers
Source: Anne Rogers
Maikel Garcia Starting Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday, the team announced on Monday. Barring a setback with his hand injury, Garcia could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster this weekend or early next week. He's been out for over a month with a muscle strain in his left hand, which has limited him to 69 games in his fifth year in the majors with KC. After Garcia was a first-time All-Star in 2025, he has disappointed in 2026 with a .261/.320/.373 slash line, .693 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 294 plate appearances. He was just four home runs away from his first 20-20 campaign last year, though, and his power/speed abilities have kept him rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues despite his lengthy IL stay. Garcia has had at least 23 stolen bases in each of the last three seasons with the Royals, so fantasy managers are hoping that he'll start to run more the rest of the way after he's activated.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia to be Re-Evaluated on Sunday
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) will be re-evaluated on Sunday to determine whether he can ramp up his hitting progression. Over the All-Star break, the 26-year-old began swinging a bat, which is an encouraging sign in his recovery. With his re-evaluation scheduled for Sunday, the team should have a better sense of where he stands health-wise, which will go a long way toward determining his next steps. If he is cleared to progress, the Royals expect him to increase the number of rounds of batting practice he takes. Garcia was placed on the Injured List on June 23 with a left-hand muscle strain, which could explain his lackluster 2026 season. He has hit just three home runs and stolen five bases while batting .261, making him a disappointment for most fantasy baseball managers this season. The hope is that once he is healthy, he can return to being a five-category contributor.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Maikel Garcia is Not Swinging Yet
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) doesn't appear to be making a ton of progress in his rehab work. Garcia has been sidelined since June 23 due to a muscle strain in his left hand. He continues doing rehab work, but Garcia is unable to swing a bat yet. This news should basically rule out Garcia until after the All-Star break. He'll need to start swinging a bat, and then he'll likely go on a minor league rehab assignment. The Royals should give a better update on his status during the break. In the meantime, Nick Loftin figures to continue seeing the bulk of the playing time at the hot corner. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Garcia with positive news, hopefully in the near future.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Maikel Garcia Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Strain
The Kansas City Royals placed third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) on the 10-day injured list with a left-hand muscle strain. Garcia had been dealing with lingering soreness before aggravating the injury during a June 16 game against the Washington Nationals. He missed three games, returned for two contests, and went 1-for-9 before Kansas City opted for an injured-list stint. The 26-year-old is batting .261/.320/.373 with three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs, and five stolen bases across 69 games this season. The Royals recalled infielder Josh Rojas from Triple-A Omaha in the corresponding move. Rojas could see time at third base while Garcia is sidelined, but he's best to be left on the waiver wire as he held a .180 AVG over 69 games in the majors last summer.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
