Jun 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) celebrates against the Baltimore Orioles after hitting a double in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Royals' Whit Merrifield exits game against Guardians with toe injury

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/10/22

Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield exited Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians with a toe injury.

Whit Merrifield was removed from today's game with right toe discomfort. He will be re-evaluated following today's game.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 10, 2022

Merrifield started at second base on Sunday, but Emmanual Rivera replaced him in the top of the fifth inning. Royals' manager Mike Matheny said Merrifield "felt something" in his right big toe in the fourth inning, prompting his removal from the game.

X-rays on Merrifield's toe after the game were negative. Merrifield underwent an MRI while Matheny spoke with the media Sunday afternoon, so the results are still unknown.

Mike Matheny said that Whit Merrifield felt something in his toe as he broke toward a ball in the fourth inning. X-rays came back negative, but he also got an MRI that the #Royals hadn't seen results on yet.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) July 10, 2022

The 33-year-old is batting .241/.294/.345 with five home runs and 35 RBI in 83 games for the Royals this season.

Often the subject of trade rumors, Merrifield agreed to a restructured contract with the Royals before the season, exercising a team option for 2023 while adding a mutual option for 2024.

Merrifield is in his seventh major league season, all with the Royals. A two-time All-Star, he's played 851 career games in Kansas City, batting .286/.333/.425 with 73 home runs and 381 RBI.

More must-reads: