Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. leaves Thursday’s game in 4th inning with knee injury
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Witt appeared to extend his right knee and hobbled off the field.
- Witt didn’t come out to hit and was replaced by pinch-hitter Tyler Tolbert.
- Royals already miss multiple regulars while Witt leads MLB with 28 stolen bases.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. exited early from Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals with discomfort in his right knee.
The Royals didn’t have an immediate update following their 14-6 victory over the Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt was getting additional testing with the medical staff.
“They’re out getting a scan right now,” Quatraro said. “So I don’t have anything else, other than that.”
In the fourth inning, Witt made an athletic stop to his right, turning and falling to his knees to snare a ground ball by Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker. With the ball in his glove, Witt appeared to extend his right knee and could not immediately regain his footing.
He grimaced in noticeable pain. Quatraro and members of the Royals’ training staff ran out to check on him as he hobbled around the infield dirt.
Witt appeared to massage the inside of his knee and then, after being examined, remained in the game for the third out of the inning.
As he ran off the field, however, it was clear that Witt was limping and still bothered by the injury. He didn’t come out to hit in the bottom half of the inning: He was due up first, but Quatraro instead turned to Tyler Tolbert as a pinch-hitter.
“When Bobby goes down, that’s really concerning, right?” Quatraro said. “And the fact he stayed in at first was a little bit encouraging. Then, watching him come off the field, it was pretty obvious he was going to have to come out. So it’s definitely concerning.”
Witt’s injury continues amid a particularly rough stretch for the Royals in terms of injuries. The Royals are already without offensive regulars Vinnie Pasquantino (right hand), Kyle Isbel (left foot) and Jonathan India (left shoulder) for the foreseeable future.
Now, Witt — who has dealt with pain in that knee for a while — is awaiting a diagnosis. Quatraro didn’t say whether Thursday’s exit was connected to Witt’s ongoing knee issues.
“I don’t know if it has anything to do with the same thing he’s been dealing with at all,” Quatraro said. “I don’t really have anything to share.”
The Royals are also missing starting pitchers Seth Lugo (concussion), Cole Ragans (left elbow) and Kris Bubic (left elbow). And the injuries extend to the bullpen, as well.
Witt is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. He hit his 10th home run of the year against the Cardinals earlier Thursday and leads the majors with 28 stolen bases.
“It’s hard,” Royals captain Salvador Perez said of Witt’s injury. “I haven’t talked to him yet and I hope he is OK. I don’t know what he has.
“He’s the best player we have, I’m not going to lie to you guys. He’s the best player in the league. Hopefully (the injury is) nothing crazy and nothing bad and he can be back on the field as soon as possible.”
Witt hasn’t missed many games in his career. He has played in every one in 2026 and is a major contributor both defensively and at the plate.
“We’re praying for the best for him,” said Royals pitcher Noah Cameron, who started and got the win Thursday. “Nobody has heard anything.
“He is a fighter, he’s tough, so he’ll be alright. Never fun seeing your best player go down like that.”
This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. leaves Thursday’s game in 4th inning with knee injury."
