How Royals plan to move forward after outfielder Kyle Isbel hits injured list
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- Kyle Isbel was placed on the 10-day IL with left plantar fasciitis.
- The Royals recalled left-handed outfielder Kameron Misner from Triple-A Omaha.
- Royals will include Misner in the center-field rotation with Thomas and Tolbert.
The Kansas City Royals placed outfielder Kyle Isbel on the 10-day injured list with a left foot injury.
Isbel, 29, is dealing with left plantar fasciitis. On Tuesday, he aggravated the injury in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers. Isbel got aboard with a base hit but came up limping as he rounded first.
He knelt on the base in pain. After a few moments, Isbel hobbled into the Royals dugout alongside the training staff.
“We were hopeful that, you know, maybe he wakes up today and doesn’t feel the same,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday. “But he’s still in pain. So we’re fairly certain that this is the move that needed to be made.”
Isbel has played through the discomfort. He managed the pain while posting a .244 batting average in 56 games. But now, he will be sidelined as the Royals look to determine the severity of the injury.
“He’s still getting treatments and those kinds of things,” Quatraro said. “I think it’s a matter of, we haven’t gotten the read back on the MRI. So we’re waiting for that and know the severity of what we are looking at.”
In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled left-handed outfielder Kameron Misner from Triple-A Omaha. He will wear No. 26 with the Royals.
Misner was recently named the International Player of the Week after hitting .417 (10-for-24) with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 28 total bases.
“It kind of means everything,” Misner said of his promotion. “I grew up in Missouri and went to college at Mizzou. Now, I’m playing professionally in Missouri. So, it’s kind of hard to beat.”
Misner is a Popular Bluff, Missouri native. The Royals initially drafted him in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft, but he opted to play on scholarship at Missouri.
He went on to play three collegiate seasons. He became a Freshman All-American while increasing his draft stock. Misner was selected again in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins.
In 2024, Misner made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent parts of two seasons with the club before the Royals acquired him this offseason.
Misner offers a unique blend of power and speed. He hit 13 homers and recorded a .925 OPS with the Omaha Storm Chasers.
The Royals plan to utilize Misner in the center-field mix. He will get an opportunity alongside Lane Thomas and Tyler Tolbert while Isbel is sidelined.
Thomas was in Wednesday’s starting lineup against the Rangers. He has the most experience of the remaining outfielders and should get the first chance at regular at-bats.
“We’re gonna put the best nine out there that we think is going to help us win that night,” Quatraro said. I mean, Misner is going to be squarely in the mix. Lane’s out there tonight against the lefty. We feel good about Lane in all three outfield spots as we do with Misner as well.”
Misner hopes his strong minor-league numbers will translate. He was second in the International League in RBIs, third in extra-base hits, fifth in doubles and sixth in total bases this season.
“Just going into the year, I wanted good things to happen when I barrel the ball,” Misner said. “Like anybody, I just want to barrel the ball more consistently. And just play, have fun and enjoy what you are doing.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 6:19 PM with the headline "How Royals plan to move forward after outfielder Kyle Isbel hits injured list."
