Royals 1B Vinnie Pasquantino makes early exit due to heat-related illness

Kansas City first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino exited Saturday night's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox due to a heat-related illness, according to the team.

On a steamy night in Kansas City, Pasquantino appeared to be in discomfort during his first-inning plate appearance. Pasquantino was tended to by the Royals' medical staff, stayed in the game and struck out on nine pitches, but he did not come out for the second inning. He was replaced by Nick Loftin, with John Rave taking Loftin's position in left field.

Pasquantino, 27, entered the contest with five hits and nine RBIs in 12 at-bats from his previous three games for Kansas City, which led 2-0 after two innings.

He entered the game batting .260 with a career-high 22 home runs as well as 80 RBIs in 120 games this season. He is a career .265 batter with 60 homers and 229 RBIs in 384 regular-season games since making his major league debut with Kansas City in 2022.

The Royals drafted Pasquantino in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion.