Apr 25, 2024 01:10 pm EST
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh took a 91 mph infielder off his pitching elbow Thursday against the Blue Jays, putting an otherwise breakout season on hold.
Marsh was not allowed to run when Addison Berger hit him with a fastball with one out in the fifth inning Wednesday night. The ball bounced off Marsh’s elbow, close to his hand, with such force that it left an indentation in the lace.
X-rays taken after the game showed no fracture, but the ball hit the flexor tendon and the Royals elected to err on the side of caution.
“He’s getting a good horseshoe out of the seam,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said before the four-game series with the Blue Jays ended. “Maybe he can play (for his next start), maybe he can’t, but we can’t take that chance with a guy who is so important to us going forward.”
Marsh, 25, entered spring training fighting for a roster spot, but his last spot in the rotation was somewhat of a surprise. He repaid the Royals’ faith by going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his first five starts and hasn’t allowed a run since the third inning against the Royals. New York Mets April 13.
“Everything is good,” Marsh said Wednesday night. “Just take it one day at a time.”
The Royals have called up reliever Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha to fill Marsh’s spot on the roster, and Quatraro said they are discussing who will start Monday in Toronto.
Kansas City entered Thursday’s game with the fewest runs allowed in the majors.
“(Marsh) is not going to pitch today. Probably not tomorrow,” Quatraro said. “We have to see how he bounces back. We think he’s good, but again, that’s why we can’t take chances and he won’t know until he’s on the field.”
