Overview
- Garcia pulled up rounding third and exited the Royals’ game against the Athletics with left hamstring pain on Aug. 20, and an MRI diagnosed a left hamstring strain.
- Manager Matt Quatraro said the team expected Garcia to be placed on the 10-day injured list after the MRI, and later roster reports show the club moved him to the IL.
- Kansas City shifted Nick Loftin to third base and used John Rave during the game, and the team has made short-term roster moves including calling up outfielder Matthew Lugo while reports earlier suggested Josh Rojas could be recalled from Triple-A.
- The injury comes three days after Garcia’s activation from a nearly two-month stint with a left-hand strain and follows a right hamstring strain in May, leaving him limited to 73 games this season.
- Garcia’s absence reduces stability at third base and could affect the Royals’ defensive alignment and lineup mix down the stretch, with the 10-day IL move serving as the standard MLB procedure for hamstring strains.