Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino will miss rest of regular season because of injury

The Royals’ magical 2024 season has taken a terrible turn.

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will be out six to eight weeks, the Royals announced Friday, because of a broken thumb he sustained during the team’s 6-3 loss to the Astros on Thursday night in Houston.

Pasquantino’s right thumb was broken after a freak play Thursday night. Relief pitcher Lucas Erceg knocked down a ball off the bat of Houston’s Yainer Diaz, then made an errant throw to Pasquantino at first base.

That throw took Pasquantino’s glove into the path of Diaz and resulted in the injury. Pasquantino immediately went down in pain after colliding with Diaz.

In announcing that Pasquantino had suffered a broken thumb, the Royals said further tests would be done and he could return in six weeks.

That could allow Pasquantino to return for the playoffs if the Royals are still alive in the postseason.

The Royals’ options to replace Pasquantino at first base include Salvador Perez and Nick Pratto, who is at Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals can bring up one additional hitter and pitcher on Sunday when rosters expand.

Pasquantino, who was batting .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs, missed the second half of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Since the All-Star break, Pasquantino had been one of the Royals’ most reliable hitters. He had a .296 batting average with eight doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 38 games in the second half.

The Royals, who lost 106 games a season ago, are 1 1/2 games back of the Guardians in the American League Central but had a 5 1/2-game cushion in the Wild Card race entering Friday.