Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino exits Athletics showdown with back injury

A brutal beginning to the season somehow just got even worse for Vinnie Pasquantino. The Kansas City Royals first baseman exited Tuesday’s 4-1 extra-innings road victory against the Athletics with low back tightness, according to the team. Fans are already waiting for him to ignite, and a potential injury could delay a Pasquatch breakthrough even further.

Following a season in which he eclipsed 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, Pasquantino expected big things going into the 2026 MLB campaign. Instead, he is lumbering through a nightmarish stretch that has seen him post a paltry .167 batting average, .276 on-base percentage, .324 slugging percentage and .600 OPS in 28 games. The last thing this slumping left-handed hitter needs is back discomfort.

Fortunately, the Royals are showing life despite Pasquantino’s ongoing struggles. Bobby Witt Jr. put the club on his back on Tuesday, belting a three-run dinger in the 10th to launch Kansas City to a season-high four-game winning streak. After going 100-plus plate appearances without a homer, the star shortstop has now gone yard in back-to-back games.

Witt may have to stay in hero mode if Pasquantino is forced to miss extended time. A lack of offensive firepower buried the Royals in 2025, so it is important that the lineup carries a focused approach in the batter’s box. Despite its 12-17 start, KC trails the first-place Detroit Tigers by only two and a half games. This season is very much alive.

The Royals have five games remaining on this West Coast road trip, so hopefully they will receive promising news on Vinnie Pasquantino.