The bad news just keeps coming for the Kansas City roster. Maikel Garcia is heading back to the Injured List after a rough outing against the Athletics. According to Royals Review, the 26-year-old infielder suffered a hamstring strain while rounding third base during the first inning of that game. It is hard to watch a player deal with this much bad luck. He had only just returned to the lineup on Monday after missing nearly two months because of a hand injury. This guy signed a five-year contract extension last winter, and now he can’t even stay on the field for a full week.
The pressure on Matthew Lugo
The team is bringing up Matthew Lugo from Omaha to help out. This isn’t just a random call-up, though. Lugo has some serious history with the organization. Per Royals Review, he was claimed off waivers from the Angels back on June 2. He has shown he can produce power, hitting four home runs with a .464 slugging percentage in 31 games with the Angels last season. He also posted a .473 slugging percentage across 100 games in Double-A and Triple-A. He can play all three outfield spots, which gives the manager some much-needed flexibility while the roster is thin.
Roster moves and pitching depth
The bullpen is seeing some changes too. Carlos Durán, the pitcher, was optioned by the Royals, while Jose Cuas returned from Omaha. This move comes after a shaky stretch for Durán. He allowed two hits and walked three players during 1.1 innings of work in two appearances this week. On the other hand, Cuas brings some stability. He held a 1.Before his recent demotion, he posted an ERA of 64 while striking out 13 batters over 11 innings. The club needs that kind of reliability right now.
A heavy burden for Nick Loftin
While the outfield gets a new face, the infield is still relying on familiar hands. Nick Loftin has been the main guy filling in at third base while Garcia has been out. It is a lot of pressure for a young player. With outstanding third-base defense, Garcia has accumulated 2 WAR across only 73 games. Without him, the middle of this lineup loses its stability. The Royals need Garcia healthy to make this rotation work. He is currently batting .269/.324/.385 when he is actually playing.
