Witt (back) out for Rockies series, expected to be back for homestand

DENVER -- Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who has been sidelined since July 21 due to low back tightness, did not make the trip to Denver for the club’s weekend series against the Rockies.

Instead, Witt went through a full workout back home in Kansas City, and is expected to go through another on Saturday before returning to the Royals’ lineup on Tuesday when they begin a six-game homestand, with three against the Twins.

“He’s doing great,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “… We anticipate him playing when we get back home.”

The rationale behind having Witt -- who is on the injured list for the first time in his career -- get an extra few days of rest even though he was eligible to come off the IL on Friday, was caution.

“He feels good,” Quatraro said. “He’s progressed literally every day. We could’ve pushed him. It was very unlikely he would have played in all the games here, so we figured with the off-day Monday, let’s take the cautious route and have him ready to go full-go on Tuesday.”

Witt finished runner-up in American League MVP Award voting in 2024, and then fourth in 2025. He has produced a .279/.350/.450 slash line this season with 13 home runs, and was tied for the AL lead with 30 steals entering play on Friday.

Witt has stolen at least 30 bases in each of his first five Major League seasons. He is one of four players in the Modern Era (since 1900) to have accomplished that, joining Rickey Henderson, Ichiro Suzuki and Vince Coleman.

The 26-year-old is also a three-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop and the reigning Platinum Glove Award winner in the AL.