Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.

SS

A team off day Saturday didn't provide sufficient time for Witt to fully heal from a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, prompting the Royals to keep him on the bench for a second straight game. Maikel Garcia will step in at shortstop in place of Witt, who is being viewed as day-to-day and could avoid a stint on the injured list if he receives a favorable prognosis when the Royals re-evaluate him Sunday.

Nick Mears

RP

Mears was placed on the injured list May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and appears to be progressing nicely in his rehab. With a rehab assignment on the horizon, the right-hander should be back in the big-league bullpen fairly soon, assuming no setbacks. Before being shelved, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Cole Ragans

SP

Since being placed on the 15-day IL on May 8, Ragans' recovery took a setback last Friday, which influenced Kansas City to keep the 28-year-old out of action for a more extended amount of time. Before going down with a left elbow impingement, the left-hander posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB in 35.1 innings this campaign.

Carlos Estevez

RP

Estevez has already been on the shelf for more than two months, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural and won't affect his timeline for a return. The right-hander was initially deactivated April 1 due to a foot contusion, but he's since recovered from that injury and is now working his way back from a right rotator cuff strain, which he sustained during a minor-league rehab appearance in early May. Estevez resumed throwing off flat ground May 27 and could be cleared to start throwing off a mound this week.

Kris Bubic

SP

After being forced to the 15-day injured list May 18 due to a sore left elbow, Bubic made enough progress to gain clearance to head out on a rehab assignment. During his start Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, Bubic experienced a shoulder issue, which was likely a contributing factor in him getting lit up for five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while recording just four outs. Fortunately, follow-up tests didn't reveal anything overly concerning, so the Royals were comfortable allowing Bubic to resume playing catch Sunday. Assuming he incurs no further setbacks during his throwing progression, Bubic could head back out on his rehab assignment at some point in the next week or two.

Vinnie Pasquantino

1B

The projected timeline is a fairly standard one for hamate surgeries, and Pasquantino will likely be out through the All-Star break. Jac Caglianone is slated to start at first base in Sunday's game against the Astros and should see the bulk of the playing time at the position for the duration of Pasquantino's stint on the injured list.

Kyle Isbel

CF

It's unclear what this means for Isbel's timetable or if he will undergo surgery, but the nature of the injury points to an extended absence. Isbel was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday and could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner are in line for increased opportunities in center field for the Royals while Isbel is on the shelf.

Jonathan India

2B

no

James McArthur

RP

McArthur missed all of 2025 while recovering from right elbow surgery and was considered healthy entering spring training, but he suffered a setback and has remained on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, prompting Friday's procedure. There's no timeline for the right-hander's return to action, as his recovery from the surgery and how he feels in the near future will dictate the next steps in the rehab process.

Anthony Simonelli

SP

no

Javier Vaz

2B

Vaz began the campaign on the injured list after fracturing two fingers on his right hand in early March, but he made a speedy recovery and was cleared to make his 2025 debut less than three weeks into the Texas League season. Though he's gotten off to a slow start to the season at the plate, the injury doesn't seem to be affecting him in the field, as he's made eight starts at second base and one in left field.

Tyson Guerrero

RP

no

Alec Marsh

SP

Marsh missed all of 2025 due to shoulder problems, and after undergoing surgery in November to address the issue, he's expected to miss the entire 2026 campaign as well. His move to the 60-day IL clears space on the 40-man roster for Mitch Spence, whom the Royals acquired in a trade with the Athletics on Thursday.