Overview
- Bobby Witt Jr. left Monday’s game with lower‑back spasms and was placed on the 10-day injured list in a roster move announced Wednesday that was made retroactive to July 21.
- Kansas City selected infielder Andrew Velazquez from Triple‑A Omaha to join the big-league roster and transferred right‑hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot.
- The Royals plan to split shortstop duties between veteran utility infielder Andrew Velazquez and Tyler Tolbert while Witt is day to day and receives treatment for the spasms.
- Witt was having an elite season — roughly a .279 average with 13 home runs, a league-leading 30 stolen bases and top WAR numbers — and this is the first time in his five-year MLB career he has been placed on the injured list.
- With Kansas City 42-60, Witt’s absence deepens expectations the club will sell before the Aug. 3 deadline, and the team’s handling of Kolek — who had an MRI and will get a second opinion for forearm tightness — shows a cautious medical approach that could shape roster decisions.