Timeline in place for Bobby Witt Jr.'s return to Royals

DENVER — Kansas City Royals fans seemingly won't have to wait much longer for the return of Bobby Witt Jr. to the lineup.

On the injured list for the first time in his major league career, Witt is expected to be back with the Royals when they open a homestand on Tuesday, Aug. 4, against the Minnesota Twins. 

What the Kansas City Royals are saying about Bobby Witt Jr.'s return from injury

Shelved since July 22 (retroactive to July 21) with lower-back tightness, Witt is "doing great," according to Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro.

"He went through a full workout today," Quatraro said before the Royals took on the Colorado Rockies on Friday night in Denver. "We're going to put him through another full one tomorrow (Saturday). We anticipate him playing when we get back home."

There had been speculation that the Royals might try to activate Witt as soon as his 10 days on the IL ended. However, Quatraro said there was no need to rush the three-time All-Star back into the lineup, especially with the Royals finishing a road trip by playing at altitude in Denver.

"We just want to be cautious," Quatraro said. "He feels good. He's literally progressed every day, and we could have pushed him. But he wasn't very likely to play in all the games here, so we figured with the off day on Monday, let's take the cautious route and have him ready to full go on Tuesday."

Will Royals be active at MLB trade deadline?

It has been a tough season for Kansas City and Witt, who will come off the injured list hitting just .196 in 56 July at-bats. The Royals, meanwhile, are 46-64 and 12.0 games out of first place in the American League Central and 10 games out of a wild-card spot.

With Monday's trade deadline lurking, the Royals and Rockies (entering Friday with a 42-67 record) could both look different by the time the weekend is over. Both teams are expected to be sellers and could work deals for some of their key players.

Witt could well return to a team without outfielders Lane Thomas and Starling Marte, as both have expiring contracts that are reportedly the types of players Kansas City is willing to move.

"If I'm told to take somebody out, I'll take them out. We haven't gotten that yet, but that's clearly not something I'm deciding," Quatraro said. "Guys have to be ready to adjust on the fly."