“Baseball needs him.” When was the last time a 24-year-old rookie got acknowledged this way by the fans? Is it possible for a player who has been in the business for just three years to breach the franchise’s highest contract ever? Well, it’s possible if the name is Bobby Witt Jr., the current face of the Kansas City Royals. Last year witnessed an all-around performance of Witt that ended with an MLB Batting Champion, Silver Slugger Award, and Golden Glove Award. A player with this value surely creates a sense of discomfort among the fans with his news of getting injured.
In a spring training game against the Mariners today, Bobby Witt Jr. took a 95 mph fastball to the forearm, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that he avoided breaking any bones. According to reports, his schedule is yet unknown, but he should be able to avoid a lengthy absence. For the unversed, Andrés Muñoz threw a fastball that hit Witt at 95 mph, and he instantly collapsed to the ground in the fifth inning. His walking back to the dugout with the trainer raised further concerns among the fans. Well, the X-ray report came back negative, and yes, there was a huge sigh of relief from the fans.
Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. did not suffer a broken bone when he was hit on the left forearm by a 96-mph fastball today, sources tell ESPN. While the timetable for his return is unclear, Witt is expected to avoid a long absence.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 13, 2025
The AL MVP runner-up from last year amassed 32 homers and 109 RBIs in 161 games and led the AL with 211 hits. This shows how important he is for the team this year. As per the latest report, Witt might no longer be available in the ongoing spring season, but it is all set to start the regular season in style. How tense the fans were with his injury can be gauged by the comments in Jeff Passan’s injury update post.
A sense of relief among the fans for Witt
It’s quite rare these days for rival fans to celebrate the return of a player. Again, it’s possible if he is Bobby Witt Jr. One Dodgers fan celebrated the news of Witt as if he were from his team. The first shortstop in MLB history to have multiple 30-30 seasons surely deserves appreciation from the MLB community.
Dodgers fan here and legit celebrated like he was one of our own. So important to have these gu when I heard this. So important our young superstars stay healthy. Baseball is life
— Al in the Cheap Seats (@TitlesR_Forever) March 13, 2025
Is Witt a bona fide superstar in the making? Well, a fan thinks so. He shared how losing a superstar just at the start of the season can be too costly for the league. For those unaware, Bobby Witt Jr. is the only player in MLB history with 50+ HRs and 75+ SBs. That, too, in his first two seasons!
Thank you lord, can’t have a superstar out before the season starts
— DiEHARDnLA (@DiEHARDnLA) March 13, 2025
The way this spring season is going is scary, to say the least. Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, to name a few. A user shared the same emotion about how it’s become a real goal for the players to survive this spring season. It’s a relief to see that Witt had a minor injury and can make a comeback soon.
damn, seems like opening day is gonna look a lot different for most teams with their star players hurt, i guess just trying to survive Spring Training is the real goal.
— m/DrXtremem/ (@DrXtreme80) March 13, 2025
How does it feel to get hit by a 90 mph+ fireball? This enthusiast had a real-life experience and can feel for Witt. The hardened case of Witt deserves the credit to take the shot and still be fine with it. It could have been a major injury, but it’s all good when it ends well.
Good news for Bobby, I’ve experienced heaters 90+ mph before. They are no joke!
— dschnaq (@dschnaq) March 13, 2025
This fan shared the core emotion of how the Royals are all in relief above anyone else with his news. Yes, the Royals cannot afford to lose their most expensive player, and Witt is their main bet to end their World Series drought since 2015.
Great news for KC
— EthanRPh (@ethanrph) March 13, 2025
Bobby Witt Jr. is all set to return in the regular season. Let’s hope that no other major injuries come to light for any team in this spring season.
Do you think the loss of Witt would have been too costly for the Royals? Let us know in the comment section below.
The post Royals Nation Breathes a Sigh of Relief After $288 M Superstar Gets Taken Out by 95MPH Pitch appeared first on EssentiallySports.
