The Kansas City Royals received unfortunate news before their series finale against the Cincinnati Reds. Vinnie Pasquantino, one of their prominent power hitters and a key part of their young core, will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. As a result, Pasquantino is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
During the same game, the Royals also experienced another setback when their captain, Salvador Perez, was hit by a pitch on his left hand. Perez immediately left the game while cradling his hand in pain.
Unfortunately for the Royals, their struggles continued as they lost the series finale to the Reds by a score of 7-4. This defeat marked their ninth consecutive loss and dropped their overall record to 18-50 for the 2023 season. This start is the worst in franchise history, surpassing the 2006 Royals’ record of 19-49 through 68 games.
Despite the initial concern, there is some positive news regarding Perez’s hand injury. Manager Matt Quatraro stated that X-rays on Perez’s hand came back negative, indicating no fractures or significant damage. Perez will undergo further evaluation after the team’s off-day on Thursday to determine the extent of his injury and the next course of action.
While the Royals received a sigh of relief regarding Perez’s injury, the day started with disappointing news that Vinnie Pasquantino will require season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. This news is certainly unfortunate for Pasquantino and the team as he will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Pasquantino was placed on the injured list due to right shoulder instability after leaving a game against the Orioles. Following the injury, Pasquantino underwent an MRI to assess the severity of the issue. Unfortunately, the results revealed a tear in his shoulder that would be challenging to address without surgical intervention.
After seeking a second opinion, the decision was made to undergo surgery in order to address the injury and prevent any further complications. While an exact date for the surgery has not been determined by the Royals at this time, it is expected to take place in the near future. This procedure aims to resolve the issue and allow Pasquantino to move forward with his recovery and rehabilitation process.
Indeed, Pasquantino expressed that the decision to undergo surgery was a difficult one to make. He had a strong desire to be on the field with his team, especially given the challenges they have faced this season. However, he also considered the long-term implications of managing the injury on a daily basis and concluded that surgery was the best course of action.
Pasquantino emphasized the importance of positioning himself for a successful return in the following year. By addressing the injury now, he aims to fully recover and be in the best possible condition for the 2024 season.
The 25-year-old player made his Major League debut in the middle of last season, and since then, he has become a player the Royals see as a key building block for their future. Despite the injury-shortened season, Pasquantino has showcased his potential, posting a .247/.324/.437 slash line with nine home runs and 26 RBIs in 61 games this year.
The Royals will rely heavily on Nick Pratto to handle first base duties. Pratto is known for his exceptional defensive skills and is expected to play there almost every day. Matt Duffy and Salvador Perez are considered backups in that position, and the Royals have also re-signed Matt Beaty to a Minor League deal to provide additional depth.
Losing Pasquantino means the Royals will be without a key middle-of-the-order bat for the remainder of the season. This puts more pressure on hitters like Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, and Pratto to step up and produce offensively. However, it also creates opportunities for other young players to receive more at-bats and gain experience throughout the rest of the season.
The Royals’ offense has struggled during their current nine-game losing streak, being outscored by 32 runs. Despite collecting 15 hits in the most recent game against the Reds, they only managed to score four runs, left 14 runners on base, and went 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
The team is feeling the weight of the losing streak not only in their lineup but also on the pitching staff. Daniel Lynch had a rough outing in the series finale, giving up seven runs on seven hits and two walks in seven innings. Lynch expressed some frustration with his pitch sequencing, particularly during at-bats where he gave up home runs, such as the one to Matt McLain of the Reds.
The Royals will need to regroup and find ways to turn their fortunes around both offensively and on the mound to end their losing streak.
