Lost season continues for Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia

The 2026 season has been a lost year for the Kansas City Royals and third baseman Maikel Garcia.

Garcia had missed nearly two months after straining a muscle in his left hand late in June. He returned from the injured list on Monday, only to leave Thursday's game against the A's due to a strained left hamstring. That latest ailment will lead to another absence from the lineup as Garcia was placed back on the IL on Friday.

Garcia had put together a career year in 2025, posting a .286/.351/.449 batting line over his 666 plate appearances, hitting 16 homers and 39 doubles while stealing 23 bases. That production led to Garcia signing a five-year, $57.5 million extension during the offseason as the Royals appeared to have locked in another cornerstone of the franchise.

Kansas City Royals need Maikel Garcia to bounce back for 2027

Instead, Garcia had a disappointing showing when he was on the diamond. He has posted a .269/.324/.385 batting line in his 309 plate appearances around his IL stints, hitting three homers and 18 doubles with five steals. 

The 2026 season has been a disappointment as a whole for the Royals. They entered the season expecting to contend for a playoff berth, only to see injuries and an ineffective bullpen torpedo those hopes. Instead, the Royals entered Friday with a 55-74 record, solidly in the AL Central basement.

The Royals have a clear shopping list for the offseason. The outfield continues to be a sore spot. They may need at least one additional piece for the rotation. The bullpen needs to be completely overhauled. However, having Garcia healthy and back to the form he showed in 2025 will be a tremendous boost for their chances next year.