The most surprising fact about Maikel Garcia’s return is not that he is back on the field, but that the injury causing his absence involves tiny muscles at the very top of his hand. This specific strain has plagued him for most of the season, forcing him to play through pain until he finally needed extended rest. The Royals’ third baseman began his second crack at a rehab stint with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday after a travel delay pushed back his original Wednesday plan. He went 0-for-1 with three walks in a 10-3 loss to Springfield while playing the entire game at third base, according to MLB.com Royals.
A Long Road Back
Garcia had been on the 10-day injured list since June 23, but the injury affected only certain types of swings. Because he understood the rehabilitation would require extensive time, he attempted to endure the pain for as long as he could. By the end of June, the team realized he needed a break to let the strain heal properly. To simulate the pitches causing maximum pain, his rehab utilized the Trajekt machine and a distinct bat within a hitting progression. Still, no machine can truly mimic the stress of real game action. A July 28 rehab attempt triggered comparable pain, forcing a return to Kansas City for further assessment and a cortisone injection.
Why Caution Rules
The Royals are now moving very carefully with Garcia’s timeline because he has been out of game action for almost two months. His first rehab attempt only lasted one day before he needed further medical checks, which sets a clear precedent for patience. This injury type is familiar to the franchise, as outfielder Lorenzo Cain experienced similar issues in 2015 during the World Series championship year. Extended rest is typically the best way for these small muscle strains to recover, though the timeline varies for each individual. The team hopes Garcia can finish the season strong and healthy, as he will be counted on heavily in 2027.
After winning an MVP title in the World Baseball Classic and securing a five-year extension during his breakout 2025 campaign, Garcia’s current season has disappointed. Before the injury paused his season, he had a .261/.320/.In 69 games, he posted a .373 slash line with 17 doubles and three home runs. The goal now is simply to get him back on the field without the pain returning. Manager Matt Quatraro discussed the status of another key player, Vinnie Pasquantino, noting, “We were hoping to get five games in this week and see how that went” A lot of it’s going to be based on how he feels.The same day-by-day, cautious strategy applies to Garcia as the team gradually increases his workload.
