Kansas City’s Vinnie Pasquantino left Tuesday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins with soreness in his right hand, the same hand that kept him out for nearly a month earlier this season.
Pasquantino was pulled from the starting lineup in the ninth inning, and Tyler Tolbert took over as a pinch-hitter in the final frame. After the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the issue is centered in the area where Pasquantino had surgery after a right hamate fracture.
“Just soreness,” Quatraro said after Tuesday’s game. “Same spot, you know, in his hand where the surgery was.
Just general soreness in his hand. We’ve got to get in there and check it out and see how he feels later tonight and tomorrow.”
Pasquantino had surgery after the fracture and returned July 9, just before the All-Star break. Since coming back, the Royals have worked to manage his workload, and he has been back at first base on a regular basis.
The late-game shuffle didn’t stop there. In the bottom of the ninth, Kansas City moved Jac Caglianone from right field to first base for the final inning.
Quatraro said the discomfort shows up more when Pasquantino is hitting.
“It’s more swinging,” Quatraro said. “There’s certainly been a couple since he’s been back where like the ball hits him awkwardly in the heel of the glove or something where he feels it. But it’s definitely more swinging.”
Pasquantino went 0 for 3 with a strikeout on Tuesday and is hitting .232 with six homers and 33 RBIs this season.
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