Royals All-Star Maikel Garcia making progress in rehab from hamstring injury
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Maikel Garcia is available off the bench as he recovers from a right hamstring strain.
- MRI diagnosed Garcia with a Grade 1 hamstring strain after limping to third base.
- The Royals added infielder Josh Rojas from Triple-A Omaha to provide roster versatility.
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia was available off the bench for Thursday’s road game against the Minnesota Twins.
Garcia took batting practice ahead of the series opener at Target Field. It’s an important step as he continues to heal from a right-hamstring strain.
“A lot better,” Garcia said before the game in Minneapolis. “(I was) running yesterday at like 65% and today was like 80-something. Just ready to come off the bench and try to help the team.”
Garcia did defensive work in Cincinnati. He admitted that the injury doesn’t bother him in the field or at the plate. It’s just a matter of tolerating the pain.
“It’s like, I can run but not hard,” Garcia said. “So it’s just managing how we’re going to run in the game. And yeah, defense is normal and (I can) run a little bit. Hitting, no pain, so I’m close.”
Garcia injured his hamstring last Saturday against the Texas Rangers. He rounded second base and came up limping as he reached third. The Royals’ training staff took him out of the game and he underwent testing.
MRI results revealed Garcia sustained a Grade 1 strain. He was not put on the injured list and the Royals continued to evaluate his recovery.
“I think that when I stopped running once I felt it, that helped me a lot,” Garcia said. “Because if I’m still running, it can get worse. So glad to have that instinct in the moment.”
Garcia has dealt with a strained hamstring before. He recalled injuring his left hamstring in winter ball but noted that he feels more pain this time around.
The Royals will take a cautious approach with his return, easing him back into the lineup in coming days.
“He’s improved again,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We worked him out here about 2 o’clock today. Ground balls were really good, running was at a better intensity. He’s completely available off the bench.”
The Royals also added infielder Josh Rojas into the mix. He was selected from Triple-A Omaha as right-hander Stephen Kolek was placed on the family medical emergency leave list.
Rojas hit .247 with six homers and 26 RBIs with the Storm Chasers. He also posted a .746 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in 174 at-bats.
“We know we can go a pitcher short and add a position player,” Quatraro said. “So we’ve chosen to do that in part because of Maikel, but also (because) it just give us some more versatility and in-game options.”
Rojas can play multiple infield spots. He also has a wealth of MLB experience, having played with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox.
“We feel comfortable putting him at any of those spots,” Quatraro said. “And obviously he’s a left-handed bat off the bench and (he will) be able to provide versatility.”
This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 6:50 PM.
