How Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia contributed Sunday against the Cubs
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia didn’t start Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
He still left an imprint as the Royals fell 4-3 at Wrigley Field.
Garcia, who exited Friday’s game with left upper-body discomfort, swatted a pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth inning against Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay.
It was Garcia’s 41st RBI of the season and helped the Royals mount a brief, if ill-fated, rally.
“We were only going to use him if he was the tying run or winning run,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “If we could’ve stayed away from him, it would have been ideal. We just don’t know the full extent exactly of how he’s going to feel.”
After the game, Garcia said he felt fine. He said he was glad to get the chance to pinch-hit and help out his teammates.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Garcia said through an interpreter. “It feels good to be in the lineup today and I hope I’m in there tomorrow to help the team win.”
Garcia initially dealt with the left upper-body discomfort earlier this month. The injury forced him to leave a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 11. He missed one game before returning to the lineup.
His second bout with the injury developed Friday. Garcia didn’t play in Saturday’s game and was regulated to a pinch-hitter role Sunday.
He detailed how the discomfort had affected him.
“It was tough to move my head around and look to the left,” Garcia said.
Garcia said he received treatment, which helped him progress and feel better over the last few days.
This season, Garcia is hitting .286 with four home runs and 41 RBIs. He also has collected 18 stolen bases. The Royals inserted Garcia into the leadoff spot Sunday.
He’s had a consistent approach in recent weeks, including an 18-game hitting streak. His production, alongside that of teammate Bobby Witt Jr., has often enabled the Royals to score.
“We didn’t happen to get the win today,” he said, “but you just have to go out and compete.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM with the headline "How Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia contributed Sunday against the Cubs."
