A ‘chronic’ shoulder injury sidelines Jonathan India. Here’s how Royals will adjust
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jonathan India was placed on the Royals' 10-day injured list.
- The Royals recalled utilityman Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha to provide depth.
- Massey is likely to see more opportunities at second base while India is evaluated.
Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder subluxation.
India, 29, dealt with shoulder pain in recent weeks. He was held out of Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees due to the injury.
The Royals are hopeful India isn’t sidelined long-term. For now, he will meet with team doctors to determine the severity of the injury.
“It’s a chronic shoulder issue that he’s had,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, it just wasn’t getting better this year. He aggravated it a few times on dives. And it’s loose. It’s something he’s gonna have to get checked out and see if we can help him get through it.”
India owns a .167 batting average with two homers and eight RBIs this season. He’s appeared in 17 games as the primary second baseman.
“He wasn’t playing at 100%,” Quatraro said. “And we needed a healthy India.”
The Royals will now change course. In a corresponding move, the club recalled utilityman Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha.
Loftin has experience playing second base and will spell Michael Massey — who has some injury history of his own — at the keystone position.
Massey is still expected to continue his dual workload at second base and in the outfield. However, it’s likely he will see more opportunities back at second.
This season, Massey has played 11 games. He got a delayed start due to a left calf strain that landed him on the injured list.
“We have to get (India) an appointment, which hasn’t been scheduled yet,” Quatraro said. “But hopefully, it comes this week, if not early next week. And then, we’ll know more after that.”
The Royals began a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Massey was in the Game 1 starting lineup at second base, batting sixth against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish.
