Kansas City Royals Provide Injury Update on Key Reliever

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg (60) reacts after a play in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Aug 18. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals Provide Injury Update on Key Reliever

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Aug 30, 2024 6:32 PM ET

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After learning that they would lose first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino for the rest of the regular season (and possibly the entire postseason), the Kansas City Royals also provided an injury update on reliever Lucas Erceg.

Per Joel Goldberg of the Royals broadcast team:

Lucas Erceg is day to day. Has swelling and soreness in the hand and said he hopes to be back very soon. He’s understandably upset about the play last night. Most upset about the injury to Vinnie Pasquantino. Says his teammates, including Vinnie, supported and consoled him.

Lucas Erceg is day to day. Has swelling and soreness in the hand and said he hopes to be back very soon. He’s understandably upset about the play last night. Most upset about the injury to Vinnie Pasquantino. Says his teammates, including Vinnie, supported and consoled him.
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) August 30, 2024

Erceg and Pasquantino were injured on the same play Thursday in the loss to the Houston Astros. Erceg was hit by a batted ball, then threw the ball to first base. The throw took Pasquantino into the runner, which is where he suffered his injury.

Lucas Erceg and Vinnie Pasquantino both left the game with apparent injuries after this game-tying play in Houston

(via @BallySportsKC)pic.twitter.com/Di1779zNoe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 30, 2024

The 29-year-old Erceg was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Oakland Athletics. He's 2-5 this season with a 3.40 ERA. In 51 appearances, he's struck out 57 batters.

The Royals enter play on Friday at 75-60 overall. They are 1.5 games back of the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central and they currently hold the second wild card spot in the American League.

Kansas City hasn't made the playoffs since 2015, which is the last year they won the World Series.

The Royals and Astros will play each other again on Friday night. It will be a battle of aces as Seth Lugo (Kansas City) pitches against veteran lefty Framber Valdez for Houston.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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