KANSAS CITY -- Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia exited Wednesday’s game at Kauffman Stadium in the sixth inning due to right elbow soreness and was out of the lineup Friday and Saturday against the Angels.
Garcia said Friday he was feeling much better and reiterated that point Saturday, especially after he participated in infield drills and unleashed some higher-intensity throws from third base.
“We’ll see how he feels after [throwing],” manager Matt Quatraro said before Saturday’s game. “But the swelling’s down, he’s got a better look on his face here, a little more comfortable with what’s going on.”
The Royals are being cautious with their everyday third baseman to make sure all the symptoms resolve before he gets back in the lineup. He was available off the bench Friday as a pinch-hitter, but the Royals didn’t end up needing him in the game. He’s available again Saturday. Quatraro said the team thought about having Garcia as the designated hitter but wanted to “make sure he feels as good as he possibly can” before returning.
“It was like a cramp after I threw the ball and swung the bat,” Garcia said of what he felt on Wednesday. “I was playing careful that day. After my third at-bat, I didn’t want to have another at-bat playing careful. Got it checked out and did my treatment, and feel better. For this game, I’ll be able to come off the bench and play tomorrow hopefully.”
Nick Loftin entered for Garcia in the sixth inning on Wednesday and was his replacement Friday night, batting leadoff and playing third. Loftin remained the third baseman Saturday, but catcher Carter Jensen batted leadoff.
Garcia went 0-for-3 on Wednesday, but is batting .265 with a .724 OPS through 25 games. He had been hitting well previously in this series, notching three hits on Monday followed by an RBI single with two runs scored in Tuesday’s victory.
After the 2023 season, Garcia had a procedure done to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, when he last felt soreness like this, but he hasn’t missed any time since and hopefully won’t now despite dealing with the soreness. The Royals need him playing every day like he has for them -- and producing like he has been throughout his All-Star 2025 season and the beginning part of ‘26.