Pasquantino was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain after making an early exit from Saturday's Cactus League game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino will undergo further evaluation Sunday to determine the severity of his injury, but he said after Saturday's game that he feels fine and doesn't believe his performance will be affected by his hamstring. The Royals' medical staff ultimately has the final say, however, so the first baseman's availability for Opening Day will be determined by the results of Sunday's tests. If Pasquantino is unable to play, recent acquisition Mark Canha may step in to cover first base.

Pasquantino was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers due to an apparent leg injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino pulled up favoring his right leg on his way to first base while attempting to beat a double play in the fifth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but the severity of his injury won't be known until the Royals are able to take a closer look at him.

Pasquantino went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's spring training loss to the Giants. He's hitting .238 (10-for-42) with two home runs this spring.

EDGE Analysis

We wouldn't be worried about Pasquantino's spring stats as he's locked in as the starting first baseman and No. 3 in the batting order. More importantly, Pasquantino is healthy this spring after suffering a broken thumb that limited him late last season.

The Royals activated Pasquantino (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino was supposed to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks when he required surgery to repair a fractured right thumb in early September, but he's beat that timetable by a wide margin and will be part of the Royals' wild-card series roster. The expectation is that Pasquantino will be used at designated hitter, at least initially, which would free up at-bats at first base for Yuli Gurriel and/or Salvador Perez.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino (thumb) will hit in the cage Monday and the team will see how he feels Tuesday before determining whether he'll be included on the wild-card roster, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Quatraro also noted that, if Pasquantino does make the roster, he would be used only as a designated hitter. Pasquantino has made a rapid recovery after having surgery in early September to repair a fractured right thumb. It seems as though he will play in the ALDS against the Orioles as long as he doesn't suffer a setback between now and when rosters are set.

Pasquantino (thumb) has a chance to be on the wild-card roster, according to manager Matt Quatraro, MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM reports.

EDGE Analysis

He had live at-bats this weekend against Royals relievers, and it sounds like if he wakes up feeling good Tuesday, he'll be on the roster. Pasquantino has been out since Aug. 29 with a fractured right thumb that he had surgery on.

Pasquantino (thumb) took batting practice on the field Thursday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino is just over three weeks removed from surgery to repair a fractured right thumb, a procedure which carried a projected 6-to-8 week timetable. That he's already taking what looked to be full swings in batting practice seems to suggest he has a shot to beat that timeline, although the Royals would need to qualify for the postseason and probably advance at least one round in order for Pasquantino to become a realistic option.

Pasquantino said that he hopes to undergo surgery Tuesday for his fractured right thumb, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assuming no other hand injury was uncovered during Pasquantino's thumb surgery, he'll face a 6-to-8-week recovery timeline. When speaking to the media Monday, Pasquantino said that in his mind, his season is not over, but even if the Royals make a deep playoff run, the coaching staff may not be keen in reintegrating him after a long absence. After his 2023 campaign was cut short to labrum surgery of his non-throwing shoulder, Pasquantino enjoyed a productive comeback season before suffering the fractured thumb last week, slashing .262/.315/.446 with 19 home runs, 97 RBI, 64 runs and one stolen base across 554 plate appearances.

The Royals placed Pasquantino (thumb) on the 10-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino was diagnosed with a fractured right thumb Friday and given a 6-8 week timeline for his return, ending the first baseman's 2024 season unless Kansas City makes a deep playoff run. The Royals recalled Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha to take Pasquantino's spot on the 26-man roster. Loftin and Salvador Perez should handle most of the work at first base down the stretch.

Pasquantino will miss the next 6-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb.

EDGE Analysis

Pasquantino suffered the injury during Thursday's game in Houston on a collision at first base. While he could potentially return if the Royals make a deep postseason run, it's likelier that the 26-year-old won't be seen again until spring training. It's a devastating blow to a Royals team that's fighting for a division title, and a major hit for Pasquantino's fantasy managers as well. Nick Pratto or Nick Loftin are options to be called up from Triple-A Omaha to fill in at first base, and Kansas City might also give Salvador Perez more action at the position while Freddy Fermin catches.