MAIKEL GARCIA NEWS

Around the horn: Garcia looking to take the next step This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularl...

JANUARY 23 • MLB.COM

Scores two runs in blowout win Garcia went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs and an RBI in Friday's 12-5 win over the Yankees.

Impact Garcia recorded both of his base hits in the first inning, with the Royals plating nine runs in the opening frame to cruise to an easy win. The 23-year-old has produced three multi-hit efforts in his last seven games and is slashing .266/.314/.340 with one home run and nine stolen bases overall in the second half.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Thursday Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Detroit.

Impact Garcia started each of the first two games of the series but will get a break for the finale. Nick Loftin will fill in at third base and MJ Melendez has been elevated to the leadoff spot.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets breather Sunday Garcia isn't starting Sunday against the Astros.

Impact Garcia will get a day off after going 7-for-22 with three runs scored over the Royals' last five games. Matt Duffy will take over at the hot corner and bat seventh while Garcia rests.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in win Garcia went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Astros.

Impact Garcia has gotten going again at the plate, going 12-for-39 (.308) over his last 10 games while adding three steals in that span. The third baseman is up to 23 thefts in 29 attempts this season while primarily hitting out of the leadoff spot. He's at a .275/.325/.365 slash line with 49 RBI, 56 runs scored and four home runs through 118 contests overall.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in Tuesday's win Garcia went 3-for-5 in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Guardians.

Impact Garcia slumped earlier in the month, but he's gone 9-for-26 (.346) over his last seven games. The infielder is now at a .276/.326/.369 slash line through 115 games, primarily serving as the Royals' leadoff hitter for over half of the campaign. He's added 22 stolen bases, four home runs, 49 RBI, 53 runs scored, 20 doubles and four triples.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 22nd steal Garcia went 0-for-3 with a stolen base, two walks and two runs scored in Saturday's 10-8 win over the Astros.

Impact Garcia went hitless for the seventh time in his last nine games, but the two walks allowed him to generate some production anyway. The infielder is at a .273/.325/.368 slash line with 22 steals, four home runs, 49 RBI and 53 runs scored through 112 contests this season. While he's seen the bulk of the playing time at third base throughout the campaign, his recent struggles at the plate have opened the door for utility man Nick Loftin to earn time at the hot corner.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting amid struggles Garcia is not in the lineup Friday against the Astros.

Impact Garcia has been useful in fantasy at times this season, but he is slashing just .212/.281/.294 over his last 96 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 17. Nick Loftin will start at third base for the Royals on Friday as MJ Melendez takes a turn at leadoff.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits, steal in win Garcia went 3-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored and a steal in Tuesday's victory over the White Sox.

Impact It was an encouraging effort from Garcia after he'd gone 0-for-17 in his previous five games. The 23-year-old third baseman is up to 21 steals on the year while slashing a respectable .276/.324/.371 with four homers, 51 runs scored and 49 RBI as he continues to see a consistent starting role in Kansas City.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Garcia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the White Sox.

Impact Nick Loftin will man third base while Garcia receives a day off. Garcia is in the midst of a modest six-game hitting streak but will put that on hold.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Registers three hits Garcia went 3-for-4 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 12-1 victory over the White Sox.

Impact Garcia extended his current hit streak to five games with his Labor Day effort. The Royals rookie has cemented himself as the everyday third baseman and leadoff hitter while displaying his contact and speed skills. Entering Monday's day, Garcia had slashed .272/.324/.326 with 11 RBI and five steals over the previous 30 days.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 20-steal mark Garcia went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact After starting August hot, Garcia tailed off in the second half of the month. He's gone 11-for-50 (.220) across his last 14 games, though he's hit safely in four straight contests. The infielder reached the 20-steal mark Sunday -- solid work for the rookie, though he's not running quite as much as he did in the minors. He's added a .280/.326/.375 slash line with four home runs, 47 RBI, 45 runs scored, 18 doubles and three triples through 101 contests.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Monday off Garcia is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Garcia is just 5-for-29 (.172) since seeing an 18-game hitting streak come to an end Aug. 17, so manager Matt Quatraro decided to give him a day to clear his head. Matt Duffy will man the hot corner in Garcia's place.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs steal Wednesday Garcia went 0-for-3 with a stolen base and one RBI in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Athletics.

Impact Garcia's RBI came on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. He's gone 3-for-11 over his last four games, and he's started three games in a row since shaking off a rib issue. The speedy infielder is up to 19 steals in 23 tries this season while adding four home runs, 43 RBI, 44 runs scored and a .283/.328/.376 slash line over 93 contests.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will lead off Monday Garcia (ribs) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the A's.

Impact Garcia worked as a reserve for a couple days after leaving Friday's contest with a rib issue, but he pinch hit Sunday and has been deemed ready to play a full nine innings. As he has done regularly of late, he will man the hot corner and hit leadoff Monday night.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes pinch-hit appearance Garcia (ribs) went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit RBI-single in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

Impact Garcia entered as a pinch hitter for Matt Duffy in the ninth inning after sitting Saturday's game and notched a base hit which jumpstarted a late comeback that fell just short. The 23-year-old still should be deemed as day-to-day but could make his return to the starting lineup Monday against the Athletics.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Sunday Garcia (ribs) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Garcia was removed from Friday's game due to costochondritis, which is inflammation near his ribs, and will be sidelined Sunday for the second straight game. It's not believed to be a serious issue, so he could rejoin the lineup in the near future. Matt Duffy will receive a turn at third base in his place Sunday in Chicago.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with rib inflammation Garcia's recent absences have been due to costochondritis, an inflammation near his ribs, though the issue isn't believed to be serious, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City r...

Impact Garcia missed a pair of games last weekend with a vaguely defined upper-body injury, and he's been absent for the first two games of this weekend's series at Wrigley Field for the same reason. The rookie infielder is feeling better and was reportedly available off the bench Saturday, per Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star, but he didn't wind up getting into the game in a 6-4 loss.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined Saturday Garcia (upper body) will not start Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Garcia missed two games last weekend with an upper-body issue, and he left Friday's series opener with a similar problem. The Royals have yet to announce an official diagnosis, but the team has every reason to be cautious down the stretch given its 40-84 record. Matt Duffy will fill in at the hot corner Saturday.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with upper body issue Garcia was removed from Friday's game against the Cubs due to upper body discomfort.

Impact Garcia dealt with something similar last weekend and missed two games. He was 0-for-2 in Friday's matinee tilt at Wrigley Field before Matt Duffy entered to replace him at third base in the bottom of the fourth inning.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs spot in Monday's lineup Garcia (upper body) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

Impact An unspecified injury prevented Garcia from playing in Kansas City's last two games, but he has recovered and is ready to return to the field. He will man the hot corner and lead off for the Royals on Monday night.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Saturday Garcia (upper body) will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Garcia left Friday's game against the Cardinals with upper-body discomfort, and he'll remain sidelined Saturday. The exact nature and severity of his injury remain unclear, but the Royals have an off day scheduled for Sunday, so he'll get at least two days to rest. Matt Duffy will handle third base in his absence.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Removed with injury Garcia was lifted from Friday's game versus the Cardinals due to upper body discomfort, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Garcia didn't suffer an obvious injury but was replaced on defense by Matt Duffy prior to the top of the third inning. He singled twice and scored two runs out of the leadoff spot before exiting. Garcia will undergo additional testing Saturday to determine the severity of the injury.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns 18th steal Garcia went 1-for-5 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Garcia extended his hitting streak to 12 games, a span in which he's gone 15-for-51 (.294). He's also racked up eight strikeouts in that span, but they've come across just three of the games. The infielder had a pedestrian 7.0 percent walk rate, but his 20.4 percent strikeout rate has been fine in his contact-based approach. He's slashing .278/.322/.379 with four home runs, 18 steals, 38 RBI and 38 runs scored over 81 contests.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up two steals Garcia went 1-for-5 with one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored in Saturday's 9-6 loss to the Phillies.

Impact Garcia also struck out three times in the contest. He's on a nine-game hitting streak, going 12-for-37 (.324) in that span while racking up three steals, eight RBI and seven runs scored out of the leadoff spot. The infielder has a .281/.325/.387 slash line with 17 thefts, four home runs, 37 RBI and 35 runs scored through 78 contests overall.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE