Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. Injured After Hit by Pitch, Status Uncertain

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals faced a significant setback on Wednesday when star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. exited a game after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm. The 2024 American League MVP runner-up was replaced by Tyler Tolbert, raising concerns about his availability for future games.

The incident occurred during a game against the Seattle Mariners, when pitcher Andres Muñoz delivered a fastball that struck Witt. An extended absence from the lineup could severely impact the Royals’ chances to build on their surprising success from last season, where they finished with an 86-76 record and advanced to the playoffs.

Witt, 24, has quickly become a cornerstone for the Royals since being drafted second overall in 2019. After a disappointing 106-loss season in 2023, Witt’s performance helped the franchise return to the postseason for the first time since their 2015 World Series win. He showcased his talents in 2024, appearing in 161 games, leading the team with a .332 batting average, 211 hits, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs.

In addition to his impressive offensive numbers, Witt secured the AL Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and boasted a 9.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), positioning him as a leading player in the league. He was also named the AL Player of the Month for July 2024.

“Bobby is crucial to our success, and we’re optimistic he will recover quickly,” said Royals manager Mike Matheny, who expressed hope for Witt’s return in the near future. “However, we’ll need to take every precaution.”

The Royals’ success in the upcoming season could hinge on Witt’s health, underlining his dual role as both a fan-favorite and key player of the franchise’s future. Kansas City upset the favored Baltimore Orioles in the opening round of the playoffs last year but fell to the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series.