Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino exited Saturday's game against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium after suffering a right hand hamate injury during the fifth inning.
The 28-year-old infielder experienced visible discomfort immediately after making contact with the ball, forcing an early departure from the contest.
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Injury Details
The injury occurred when Pasquantino popped up an inside fastball to Houston third baseman Isaac Paredes. According to reports from mlb.
com and kansascity.
com, Pasquantino grimaced in pain, looked at his hands while running to first base, and appeared to clutch his side before heading straight down the dugout tunnel into the clubhouse without meeting a trainer.
Following Pasquantino's exit, the Royals implemented wholesale defensive adjustments in the next inning.
Jac Caglianone shifted to first base, Lane Thomas moved from left field to right field, and Isaac Collins entered the game to play left field.
Prior to his removal, Pasquantino went 1-for-3 at the plate, driving in a run with a single off Astros starting pitcher Mike Burrows in the third inning.
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The hit extended his steady performance, as mlb. com noted he entered the matchup batting .
310 with a . 394 on-base percentage over his previous 15 games, while kansascity.
com reported he has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 appearances.
The first baseman has been a durable presence for Kansas City, appearing in 68 of the team's 71 games this season while maintaining a .
224 batting average with six home runs and 32 RBIs.
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His only other physical setback this year occurred on April 28 against the Athletics in West Sacramento, where he missed just one game due to lower back tightness before returning to action.
