Bobby Witt Jr. injury update: Latest on Royals star after leaving game vs. Cardinals with leg issue

In what has appeared to be an open AL MVP race in 2026, many fans have pinned Bobby Witt Jr. as a contender for the award.

With Aaron Judge's injury earlier in the season, then a more recent injury to the Guardians' Jose Ramirez, the door has been opened a bit for Witt to step in with his first MVP award after finishing fourth in voting last season. However, with the Royals star enjoying another strong all-around campaign, he faced some concern on Thursday night.

Witt left Kansas City's matchup against the Cardinals early after appearing to hurt his right leg.

Here's the latest on Witt after his early exit.

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Bobby Witt Jr. injury updates

In the fourth inning of Thursday's game, with the Royals owning a 7-2 lead, Jordan Walker sent a ground ball Witt's way — the shortstop traveled to his right and made the stop, but when he turned to make the throw off his legs, he fell to the ground.

Witt, who homered earlier in the game, got the ball back to the pitcher instead, then faced down in some pain.

Initially, he stayed in the game. But in the bottom half of the inning, Witt was pinch-hit for. The Royals said that Witt left the game with "right knee discomfort."

Following the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that the starting shortstop would undergo more testing before any sort of diagnosis would be made.

#Royals manager Matt Quatraro didn't have much of an update on Bobby Witt Jr. postgame. He said Witt was getting further testing.

What happened to Bobby Witt Jr.?

Witt left Thursday's game against the Cardinals with a right knee injury after fielding a ground ball in the fourth inning. 

He slid on his knees to make the stop, but couldn't make the throw afterward as he was in some pain. Witt was then pinch-hit for in the following half-inning.

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Bobby Witt Jr. 2026 stats

Undoubtedly one of, if not the, best shortstops in baseball, Witt has been in the midst of another terrific season.

He's put up 4.2 WAR in mid-June, tracking to finish in AL MVP voting once again if he stays healthy.

Here's a look at Witt's numbers: