Royals Provide Bobby Witt Jr. Update Before Cardinals Game
The Kansas City Royals suffered a major injury scare on Thursday when Bobby Witt Jr.left in the middle of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Witt landed hard on his right knee while fielding a ground ball in the top of the fourth inning, and was replaced by Tyler Tolbert in the bottom half of the frame. The Royals later announced that Witt left with right knee discomfort, and that he would have imaging after the game.
Scary moment here at Bobby Witt Jr. goes down in pain. He's staying in the game. #Royalspic.twitter.com/qkwFzbgEOv
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) June 19, 2026
On Friday, Apple TV reporter Tricia Whitaker revealed that Witt has a grade 1 MCL sprain. However, the Royals are optimistic about their shortstop's status, with manager Matt Quatraro calling it the "best-case scenario", per Whitaker. Kansas City will re-evaluate Witt on Sunday; he will be out of the lineup on Friday, but no move to the injured list is expected at the moment.
Bobby Witt Jr got a MRI today and has a grade 1 MCL sprain.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) June 19, 2026
The Royals will see what he feels like on Sunday.
Matt Quatraro told me in our meeting with him before our Apple TV broadcast tonight, it's "best case scenario" and they're optimistic.
Not much has gone right for the Royals this season, but saying Witt has been a bright spot would be an understatement. After emerging as one of the best players in all of baseball in 2024, the 26-year-old has maintained that form and is currently a frontrunner for the AL MVP award. Witt's 4.5 fWAR is the best in MLB, as he combines Platinum Glove-caliber defense with a .294/.368/.465 slash line, 10 home runs and a major league-leading 28 stolen bases.
With that incredible all-around play in mind, the Royals would suffer a devastating blow if Witt were to miss significant time. Kansas City is currently 31-45 and 6.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
Fortunately, it appears that Witt's injury isn't too serious and he should be good to go after a weekend of rest. After a 14-6 win over the Cardinals on Thursday, the Royals will now try to capture the "Show-Me Series" without their franchise talent with a win either tonight or Sunday.
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 2:19 PM.