The Kansas City Royals have placed first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamate fracture, a blow to the team's already struggling offense. This injury comes as a setback for Pasquantino, who has been underperforming this season, batting just .224/.309/.350 with a 19% below-average wRC+.
The hamate fracture is a familiar ailment, having previously sidelined players like the Twins' Ryan Jeffers and the Guardians' José Ramírez. Pasquantino's injury occurred during a swing against Houston's Mike Burrows, causing him to grimace and eventually leave the game. The Royals have not disclosed a specific timeline for his recovery, but based on past cases, he could be out for four to five weeks, missing the All-Star break at the very least.
Pasquantino's decline in hard contact and exit velocity is a major concern. His hard-hit rate has dropped from 44.7% last year to 37.7% this season, placing him in the 34th percentile according to Statcast. Additionally, his average exit velocity of 88.5 MPH is a career-low. While there's some indication of bad luck, with his slugging percentage (.350) falling short of his expected slugging (.394), the reality is that Pasquantino is facing a challenging season.
This injury is a significant challenge for the Royals, who are already dealing with a struggling offense. Pasquantino's absence will likely impact the team's performance, especially considering his below-average performance this year. The Royals will need to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Pasquantino's injury.
In the meantime, the Royals will have to adapt and find ways to improve their offensive production without their key player. The team's performance in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining their success and playoff aspirations.
