Royals’ Jonathan India to miss rest of season with left shoulder injury
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals second baseman Jonathan India will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
- India underwent labral repair surgery after a left shoulder subluxation earlier in 2026.
- Michael Massey and Nick Loftin will handle the keystone position for the Royals.
Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to shoulder injury that led to surgery on Tuesday.
India, 29, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder subluxation earlier this month. On Tuesday, India met with doctors and underwent a labral repair procedure.
The Royals will lean on infielders Michael Massey and Nick Loftin at the keystone position.
“It’s certainly not the way we wanted it to end, you know, when we acquired him as the guy to get on base and be a gamer,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of India’s injury. But then, I think about it this way too, he played this year-plus with an injured shoulder.
“And that shows more about his commitment to being a gamer and setting the tone in that regard. But at the end of the day, he needed to get it fixed.”
India arrived in Kansas City last season. He was acquired in a trade that sent right-hander Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds.
India hit .233 with nine homers and 45 RBIs in 136 games last season. It was a difficult transition as India dealt with nagging injuries.
At times, India didn’t feel comfortable. And, he entered the offseason vying to return to form. The Royals kept India by tendering an $8 million contract last November to avoid arbitration.
India looked forward to making a second impression. He entered spring training with a different mindset and a new hairstyle.
His goal was simple. India wanted to play free and get back to himself. And in turn, it could help the Royals return to the postseason.
India was off to a better start this season. He had two homers and eight RBIs in 17 games.
However, his left shoulder continued to bother him. It got to the point where he couldn’t play through the pain.
The Royals got him checked by team doctors. After a determination, the surgery was needed. It was a tough blow for both India and the club.
“We knew he had been playing with an injured shoulder,” Quatraro said. “But, as he got a second opinion and determined that was what needed to be done — fix the labrum. It had just gotten to a point where it was really difficult for him to compete at the highest level.”
The Royals gave Loftin the nod to start at second base on Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s. Massey will likely get the majority of the reps there as the season unfolds.
“You know, these guys are good players,” Quatraro said. “You know, they complement each other well. Loftin can move around the field, the left side and the outfield. Massey can go to the outfield if need be. We feel really good about their defense. We feel good about the way they are swinging the bat too.”
India will now face uncertainty this offseason. He will be coming off an injury and set to hit free agency.
And the Royals hope India can have rehab and return post surgery.
“For the future of his career, I mean, he needed to get this taken care of,” Quatraro said. “And, I’m happy for him that he can. It’s a blow to us, but at the same time, you know, he wasn’t himself out here.”
