Royals place Andrew Benintendi on Injured List with right rib fracture

The Royals announced they have placed outfielder Andrew Benintendi on the 10-day Injured List with a right rib fracture and have recalled outfielder Edward Olivares from Triple-A Omaha. Benintendi suffered the injury while making a throw in Sunday’s game in Oakland, according to manager Mike Matheny. An x-ray today showed a hairline fracture. Benintendi missed most of the 2020 season with a right rib cage strain that turned out to be a rib fracture.

Benintendi had been the hottest hitter in Kansas City’s lineup, batting .323/.374/.506 in 44 games since April 23. He was named Royals Player of the Month for May and was hitting .283/.340/.429 overall with eight home runs in 60 games. The Royals acquired Benintendi last winter from Boston in a three-team trade that cost the Royals outfielders Khalil Lee, Franchy Cordero, and pitchers Grant Gambrell and Luis de la Rosa.

Edward Olivares has been up and down a few times with the Royals, going 5-for-18 in five games with the big league club this year. He was hitting .370/.452/.610 with six home runs and eight steals in 24 games for Triple-A Omaha this year. The 25-year old right-hander is capable of playing all three outfield positions and had decent speed to go with average power. Olivares is in the starting lineup against Detroit today in left field batting seventh.

The Royals’ offense is already missing shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, who was said to be close to returning but did not make the trip due to concerns about traveling while injured.