Loftin (thumb) is starting in left field and batting third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin has been sidelined the past couple days due to a jammed thumb, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup Thursday. The 27-year-old is expected to open 2026 in a reserve role for Kansas City after posting a .635 OPS in 67 regular-season games last year.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Loftin is dealing with a jammed left thumb but should return to the lineup for Thursday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with the injury, but he's feeling better and is expected back in action imminently. The utility player is competing for a reserve role with the Royals and has had a nice spring, slashing .318/.423/.682.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Loftin was scratched Tuesday due to "general soreness," Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was nothing else disclosed for Loftin's status other than more information will be known Wednesday. Aside from this being a possible road bump for the outfielder, he has been having a good spring with a .318/.423/.682 slash line in 26 plate appearances.

Loftin started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin consistently squared the ball up Monday, rocketing both of his hits at 103.8 mph, with his lone out coming on a 99.4 mph groundout. The 27-year-old is off to a strong start in Cactus League play, going 5-for-17 with two doubles, a homer, six RBI and a stolen base through seven appearances. The utility man hit just .208/.278/.357 with 15 extra-base hits and 20 RBI across 67 MLB appearances last season but is competing for a spot on the Kansas City bench in 2026. With 10 Royals on the 40-man roster away competing in the World Baseball Classic, Loftin stands to benefit from additional spring opportunities, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com.

The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old is being sent down in order to free up a roster spot for Michael Wacha (concussion), who will start Tuesday's game against the Mariners. Loftin has slashed just .208/.278/.357 over 67 contests in 2025.

Loftin went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 11-2 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin made an early impact, driving in runs with doubles in the first and third innings. The 26-year-old notched three hits in a game for the first time this season, breaking out of a 1-for-13 skid over his past 10 contests. On the year, he's slashing .209/.282/.361 with four home runs, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored and a steal across 178 plate appearances in a part-time role for the Royals.

The Royals activated Loftin (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Toronto. The 26-year-old utility man has slashed .216/.254/.378 with three home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, one stolen base and a 4:18 BB:K across 118 plate appearances this season. Loftin figures to lose playing time after the Royals' acquisitions of Randal Grichuk and Mike Yastrzemski.

The Royals placed Loftin on the 7-day injured list Wednesday due to a concussion.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin played the entirety of Tuesday's 6-0 loss to the Cubs, but he was tagged hard on a play at third base during the contest and exhibited concussion symptoms after the game, according to Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City. He will be eligible to return in a week, but as is the case with all players dealing with concussions, the timeline for his activation is uncertain.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Loftin has a .684 OPS in 13 games since the beginning of July and will head to the bench Sunday after starting the first two games out of the All-Star break. Adam Frazier is starting in left field and batting seventh in the series finale at Miami.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Though Loftin will take a seat for the Royals' final game of the first half, he appears to have gained some stability in the lineup. He started each of the prior seven games -- three in left field, three at second base and one at third base -- while going 6-for-25 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and three runs.