The Royals appear to have averted what might’ve been a brutal blow this night when infielder Jonathan India exited the membership’s recreation towards the Guardians because of what the membership later introduced was a bout of proper quad tightness. After the sport, supervisor Matt Quatraro instructed reporters (together with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers) that the tightness India was affected by was “gentle” in nature however that it wasn’t loosening up all through the sport. The plan seems to be for Kansas Metropolis to additional consider India’s standing on Sunday, although Quatraro’s framing of the problem affords hope {that a} journey to the injured checklist is probably not essential.
India, 28, spent the primary 4 seasons of his profession because the common second baseman in Cincinnati however was traded to the Royals alongside outfielder Joey Wiemer in a deal that introduced again right-hander Brady Singer. Since arriving in Kansas Metropolis, India has break up time between third base and left area whereas serving because the membership’s leadoff hitter. He’s hit simply .216/.333/.275 14 video games into his Royals profession, however his similar 13.3% strikeout and stroll ratios showcase the sturdy plate self-discipline that the group sought once they acquired India again in November. Given his earlier observe report of productiveness and his lackluster .256 BABIP, it appears affordable to count on the outcomes to come back with time over a bigger pattern measurement.
These hopes of higher offensive days sooner or later may very well be placed on maintain in the meanwhile relying on how the membership’s analysis of India goes tomorrow. Ought to he require a couple of days off, or perhaps a journey to the injured checklist, Maikel Franco would possible step into his footwear at third base whereas some mixture of Cavan Biggio and Drew Waters may very well be anticipated to deal with India’s ordinary reps within the outfield. Talking of the membership’s outfield scenario, veteran Mark Canha was positioned on the injured checklist because of adductor pressure earlier this week. Luckily, Rogers notes that this concern has additionally been described by crew officers as a comparatively gentle one, with Quatraro indicating that Canha mustn’t take for much longer than a minimal keep on the shelf because of the concern.
Canha was acquired by the Royals from the Brewers simply earlier than the season started after he signed with Milwaukee on a minor league deal however didn’t make the membership out of Spring Coaching. Whereas Canha wasn’t in a full-time position with the Royals previous to his damage, the 36-year-old veteran was making a robust case for extra common enjoying time as he slashed .357/.471/.500 throughout his first seven video games with the membership. Given the Royals’s general lackluster manufacturing from the outfield each this yr and final season, it could make loads of sense for Canha to tackle a bigger position with the membership as soon as he rejoins the roster after his injured checklist stint is up. Within the occasion that India requires an IL placement of his personal, it’s even potential that Canha might fill in for him as soon as the latter is again from his personal journey to the shelf.
Sticking with extra optimistic damage information, Rogers reported this night that Kyle Wright is making progress along with his throwing program in prolonged Spring Coaching. The appropriate-hander threw two innings earlier this week earlier than following the outing with a bullpen session to achieve his pitch depend objective. It was Wright’s first time pitching in a recreation in fairly a while, as Wright missed a lot of the 2023 season and all the 2024 marketing campaign after present process surgical procedure on his proper shoulder. He was anticipated to be able to go this spring, however was sidelined initially of camp by a hamstring pressure and has been working his manner again ever since. Now that he’s again on the mound, Wright seems to be on stable tempo to make his return to the massive leagues (and his first begin with the Royals since being acquired from Atlanta) someday subsequent month. Wright’s return would possible push veteran swingman Michael Lorenzen right into a bullpen position, assuming the remainder of the rotation stays wholesome.
