Garcia's Rehab Hits Snag: Hand Pain Returns

Kansas City Royals player Maikel Garcia faced a setback in his recovery from a left hand muscle strain. Garcia was on a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, participating in his first game back on Tuesday. During his final at-bat, he experienced discomfort in his hand, similar to the pain that initially landed him on the injured list a month ago. This development has halted his progress, and he is now returning to Kansas City for further medical assessment.

Manager Matt Quatraro confirmed Garcia felt the pain on a couple of swings, indicating a need for thorough investigation. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since June 23, having initially attempted to play through the injury. His rehabilitation process included testing different bats and machine work, but the true reaction of his hand could only be gauged during live game swings. The Royals will have a clearer picture of his potential return date after his evaluation.