The cellar-dwelling Royals already appeared set to sell at the upcoming trade deadline, but losing their top hitter only reinforces that position. Greg Fiume / Getty ImagesJuly 22, 2026 Updated 11:53 am EDTAmerican League MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. is heading to the 10-day injured list with low back tightness, the Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday.The Royals (42-60) already appear to be sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, but losing their top hitter only reinforces that position.Witt left Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants with back spasms and hasn’t played since. His IL stint will be retroactive to July 20.Alongside Yordan Álvarez, Witt has been one of the league’s top hitters this season. He leads all American League players with 4.9 Baseball Reference WAR and 30 stolen bases, posting an .800 OPS in 94 games. That dominant season, though, has not been enough to pull the Royals up from the American League Central’s basement. They sit 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and 10 1/2 back of the final wild-card spot.Two Royals, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, are on The Athletic’s latest MLB trade deadline big board. Any hope of a turnaround ahead of the deadline is likely squashed with Witt’s injury. The shortstop’s MVP candidacy, even if he only misses the minimum 10 days, will also take a hit.Utility infielder Andrew Velazquez, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2023, was recalled from Triple A as the corresponding move. He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder with an .806 OPS in 38 games this year, figure to carry the load for Kansas City at shortstop in Witt’s absence.