CHICAGO -- Plagued by several injuries already, the Royals were hit with one more on Sunday when first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone was scratched from the series finale against the White Sox at Rate Field with left groin soreness.
Caglianone was originally slated to hit third and play right field, but he was taken out of the lineup a few hours before first pitch. Catcher Carter Jensen moved from sixth to third in the order, and Kameron Misner was inserted into right field.
Manager Matt Quatraro said Caglianone woke up Sunday with soreness and it didn’t improve when he got to the field after treatment. It also didn’t subside when he tried to get it to loosen up through some pregame work. His status off the bench was unclear, and the next steps will be determined based on how he feels throughout the day, when the Royals get back to Kansas City on Sunday night and throughout Monday’s team off-day.
“They’re going to reevaluate,” Quatraro said. “Obviously, we’re going home tonight. We’ll see how it feels and see if we have to do any further testing or anything.”
Caglianone has been the Royals’ hottest hitter this month with a .322/.402/.678 slash line and nine of his 14 home runs all coming in June. That includes three multihomer games this month and six homers in his last nine games. He’s taken over the No. 3 spot in the lineup and thrived there since Vinnie Pasquantino went on the injured list with a right hamate fracture, so the Royals are crossing their fingers that this groin injury isn’t something that lingers for their young slugger.
Third baseman Nick Loftin was also out of the lineup Sunday after exiting Saturday’s game with a groin injury. He was hit by a throw from reliever Daniel Lynch IV in the worst possible spot of the groin area and was in so much pain that he had to leave the game. Quatraro said Loftin has a contusion but feels better Sunday and is available off the bench.
It’s been a trying month -- and season -- when it comes to injuries for the Royals, who have 10 players on the IL currently, including three everyday hitters in Pasquantino, third baseman Maikel Garcia (left hand muscle strain) and center fielder Kyle Isbel (left plantar fasciitis). Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. missed six games this past week with a Grade 1 MCL sprain and is still managing that injury even as he’s back in the lineup and in the field.
Add in starters Cole Ragans (left elbow impingement) and Kris Bubic (left elbow soreness/shoulder soreness), along with relievers Carlos Estévez (right rotator cuff strain) and Nick Mears (right shoulder impingement) all on the IL, and most of the key players for this season are banged up or completely sidelined.