KC Royals Get Brutal News on Vinnie Pasquantino

The Kansas City Royals are currently holding down the second Wild Card spot in the American League, and just 1.5 games back of the AL Central lead, with the hopes of making it to the postseason for the first time in nine years.

However, they were dealt a huge blow on Friday as they've learned that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, their leading RBI man, will be out for the next six to eight weeks with a broken right thumb.

Vinnie Pasquantino has a broken right thumb, and further tests are scheduled today. He could return in six to eight weeks.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 30, 2024

That timeline takes us well past the end of the regular season which is just over four weeks from now. The Royals would have to advance likely past the ALDS for Pasquantino to be able to return this season.

The injury occurred in Thursday night's game against the Houston Astros, when, in the bottom of the 8th inning Yainer Diaz, charging down the first base line to beat out an infield hit, collided with the outstretched hand of Pasquantino at first base.

Lucas Erceg and Vinnie Pasquantino both exit this game with apparent injuries in the bottom of the eighth inning. #Royals pic.twitter.com/a7jl7eWd31
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) August 30, 2024

It's a terrible blow to the Royals, who are having one of the greatest turnarounds in baseball history after losing 106 games last season, and this year are 75-60, just a game and a half behind the Cleveland Guardians atop the AL Central Division, with a 5.5 game cushion to hang on to a Wild Card spot.

The loss of Pasquantino, however, takes 97 RBIs out of the lineup, along with 19 home runs, 30 doubles and a 109 OPS+.

Outside of the superstar season from Bobby Witt Jr. (.344 avg., 28 HR, 95 RBIs) and another tremendous season from catcher Salvador Perez (25 HR, 94 RBIs), Vinnie P. was the only other impact bat in the Royals lineup.

We'll see how they manage to get by without their big first baseman.