Royals Announce Bobby Witt Jr. News After Removal From Lineup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Aug 10, 2025 1:19 PM ET

The Kansas City Royals are 58–59 on the season, fighting to make back-to-back postseason trips for the first time in nearly a decade. The team enters Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Minnesota Twins four games behind the New York Yankees with two months left in the regular season.

Kansas City’s success revolves around their superstar shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr., who has been the team’s undisputed top performer since making his big-league debut in 2022.

The 25-year-old reached another level in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection, finishing second in AL MVP voting, and taking home both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award.

Royals Star Bobby Witt Jr. Update

Ahead of a crucial deciding game on Sunday against the Twins in a three-game set after the teams split the prior two games, an unexpected change was made to the lineup card.

Maikel Garcia was placed at shortstop and hitting second in the order in place of Witt, after manager Matt Quatraro announced that Witt woke up with back stiffness yesterday and played through it but would be unable to today.

"Bobby Witt Jr. is out of the #KCRoyals lineup today with a stiff back. Manager Matt Quatraro said he woke up with it yesterday and was able to play through it. Witt is still available off the bench today if he feels well enough to hit."

Bobby Witt Jr. is out of the #KCRoyals lineup today with a stiff back.

Manager Matt Quatraro said he woke up with it yesterday and was able to play through it. Witt is still available off the bench today if he feels well enough to hit.
— Theodore Tollefson (@TheodoreTollef1) August 10, 2025

Witt’s Back Injury Comes at Critical Time in Royals’ Wild Card Chase

Witt has continued to produce in 2025 for the Royals, batting .284 with an .833 OPS, 65 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. His 37 total doubles on the season lead all of MLB, and he was also selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game to represent the American League.

Witt leads the Royals in multiple offensive categories, including steals (30), OPS (.833), hits (130), and total bases (226). Kansas City’s offense manages just 3.7 runs per game, which ranks 28th in MLB, despite Witt’s efforts.

With Kansas City’s second-half push relying on Witt’s continued excellence, his absence from the lineup will make Sunday’s game more challenging against Minnesota as the team hopes the severity of his injury is not significant.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: