How the Royals are adjusting with infielder Michael Massey on the injured list
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals placed second baseman Michael Massey on 10-day IL with ankle sprain
- Tyler Tolbert recalled from Triple-A Omaha to add speed and defensive depth
- Lucas Erceg expected to return soon as Royals manage multiple roster injuries
The Kansas City Royals placed second baseman Michael Massey on the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Yankees.
Massey is nursing a left ankle sprain. He played through the injury but it hadn’t progressed in recent days. As a result, the Royals decided to give Massey additional time to heal.
“It’s the same ankle injury that he has been dealing with since the last homestand,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s just not getting any better or not improving enough to go out there and play at a high level.”
The Royals recalled infielder Tyler Tolbert from Triple-A Omaha. Tolbert brings versatility as a speed threat off the bench. He made his MLB debut earlier this season and has six stolen bases in 13 games.
“It’s great to get (Tolbert) back here,” Quatraro said. “He’s done a great job since he went down to Triple-A and we are excited to have him.”
Massey has split time at second base and in left field. He posted a .221 batting average with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 plate appearances. During the tough stretch, the Royals dropped Massey in the batting order.
He has hit eighth in 33 of his 56 games this season.
“(Massey) got an MRI yesterday to show that things weren’t healing as well as we would’ve liked,” Quatraro said. “So we needed to make a move to get him some rest and get that thing healed up.”
Massey is the latest Royals player on the injured list. However, the club is hopeful top reliever Lucas Erceg can return on Wednesday.
