KANSAS CITY -- Bobby Witt Jr. is in the middle of his fifth Major League season and had never been on the injured list until Wednesday, when the Royals placed their star shortstop on the 10-day IL with back tightness that hasn’t improved enough for Witt to envision a return over the next few days.
“It’s just kind of one of those things where the type of way I play, I couldn’t be myself out there,” Witt said. “And I couldn’t even be 50% of myself.”
Witt's IL stint is retroactive to July 21. In a corresponding move, infielder Andrew Velazquez was selected from Triple-A Omaha and played shortstop, hitting ninth, for Wednesday’s series finale against the Giants. The 32-year-old switch-hitter has played for five different teams over six big league seasons and signed a Minor League deal with the Royals on June 24. In 18 games with Omaha, Velazquez had a .643 OPS. He’s logged innings at shortstop, second base, center field, left field, third base and right field in his career, but he and Tyler Tolbert figure to take over the majority of shortstop at-bats for the Royals while Witt is sidelined.
To make room for Velazquez on the roster, the Royals transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day IL. He’s going to get a second opinion on his right flexor strain at some point soon, but the injury will likely require surgery.
Witt first felt his back tighten on Saturday and was out of the lineup on Sunday against the Padres. He felt strong enough to play Monday but only lasted four innings and two plate appearances before he was taken out with back spasms. He was unavailable Tuesday night with his back still extremely tight. That’s when Witt knew the IL might have to be in play.
“I think just how I woke up Tuesday morning, tough getting out of bed,” Witt said. “Also just knowing myself and knowing that this is something that could get worse, how I play the game, it’s something [where] I don’t want to risk anything and make it long term. Trying to be back as quick as possible.”
Witt has played through similar back tightness before in his career, but he said previously it had never gotten worse from when he first felt it. This time is different. He’ll need to wait for the tightness to subside before he begins baseball activity again, but once that happens, he’ll be able to ramp back up quickly in hopes of getting back.
“Hopefully in the next couple of days, next two or three days, it’ll release,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “And we’ll have a better idea of the timing [of his return].”
Losing their shortstop is obviously not ideal for the Royals, who entered Wednesday’s game 42-60 this season and last in the American League Central. Witt was putting together another great season, slashing .279/.350/.450 with 13 home runs, 22 doubles and 30 stolen bases. He’s dealt with more injuries this year than in the past, including right knee soreness and a Grade 1 MCL sprain at the end of June.
But this is the first time he’s missing extensive time, and he joins a number of other Royals who are or have been injured this year. Third baseman Maikel Garcia is still on the IL with a left hand muscle strain. Center fielder Kyle Isbel (left foot plantar fasciitis) just began a rehab assignment on Tuesday night. The pitching staff has been decimated with injuries, including starters Cole Ragans (UCL repair), Kris Bubic (left shoulder soreness) and Kolek, as well as relievers Carlos Estévez (right rotator cuff strain) and Nick Mears (right shoulder impingement/lat strain).
“With how my mindset and everything works, I want to be out there every day and play every game,” Witt said. “Any time I miss games -- most games I’ve missed this year -- it’s definitely frustrating. But it’s trying to learn my body, and I think being able to understand what I need to do whenever I start to feel things.”