Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. exits game with knee injury

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. left Thursday night's game with right knee discomfort, the latest scare for a team that least afford to lose a franchise player.

>Witt appeared to tweak the knee fielding an infield single in the fourth inning on July 18, landing awkwardly on his right leg. He stayed in for a few outs before exiting. It is the same knee that forced Witt out of a June 7 win over the Minnesota Twins with soreness, though he returned two days later and manager Matt Quatraro said there was nothing structurally hurt.

Depth behind Witt is thin Maikel Garcia slid to shortstop when Witt exited in early June, but he left Tuesday night's game and is now on the IL with lumbrical muscle strain on the top of his left hand. Utility man Tyler Tolbert is the only other Royal to play the spot with any regularity, though Josh Rojas has recently joined the Royals roster and can cover short. Neither approaches Witt's production.

Witt is the Royals leaderWitt is the engine of the Royals' lineup and an American League MVP candidate. The 25-year-old is a two-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and the 2024 batting champion. He again leads the AL in stolen bases this season with 28 while hitting .294 with 10 home runs. Witt is signed long term on a deal that can keep him in Kansas City into the next decade.

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>The timing stings for a club already buried. Kansas City entered Thursday at 30-45, last in the AL Central and 9.5 games out of first. They already have Vinnie Pasquantino, Jonathan India, James McArthur, Alec Marsh, Seth Lugo, Kyle Isbel, Carlos Estevez, Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic on the injured list.

>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bobby Witt Jr. exits Royals game with knee injury