Might Pasquantino return for KC Royals in the postseason? Lots of variables here

Vinnie Pasquantino greeted his teammates as he walked into the Kansas City Royals’ clubhouse on Monday afternoon.

It was the first time he had seen the club since suffering a right thumb injury .

“He is one of the best guys in this clubhouse as far as energy,” Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel said. “Just making people laugh and keeping the mood light, I expect him to keep doing that in the dugout and keep having fun.”

The Royals were dealt a significant blow when Pasquantino broke his right thumb Thursday in a road game against the Houston Astros. He was injured in the eighth inning while attempting to catch a ball near first base.

Pasquantino’s glove collided with Astros catcher Yanier Diaz and he immediately walked into the Royals’ clubhouse to be evaluated.

On Friday, the Royals announced that Pasquantino is expected to miss six to eight weeks with the injury, although he’s hopeful he can return sooner.

“I think Thursday night was pretty rough,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that, you know, happens. It’s a baseball play. Nothing you can really do to avoid that.”

Pasquantino leaned heavily on his support system in the hours after he was hurt. He spoke with his wife, parents, coaches and teammates.

He found particular solace in a conversation with Royals captain Salvador Perez. Perez comforted Pasquantino and helped him shift his focus. The veteran catcher detailed ways Pasquantino can help the team while he’s out of action.

Pasquantino said he hopes to assist in multiple ways. He will be involved in game-planning and helping out around the batting cage.

“I’m going to be around,” he said. “I’m going to be in these advanced meetings doing whatever I can to try to help this team win and continue toward the playoffs.”

As for surgery, Pasquantino was to meet with a physician later Monday. He’d planned to have the operation Friday, but there was too much swelling in his thumb. That swelling has subsided now.

“If that meeting goes well, we are going to have (the surgery) tomorrow,” Pasquantino said.

Pasquantino has fueled the Royals’ offense this season. He is batting .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs.

He has also dealt with his share of injuries in his career. Last year he underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

He is yet to play a complete season with the organization and that has weighed on him.

“I don’t want to think about it too much because I want to be a guy the Royals can count on to be here and I haven’t been that,” Pasquantino said. “That’s the part that’s so upsetting to me. You know, when I close my eyes and envision what my career can look like in Kansas City, I want it to be a long one and healthy one. And, thus far, something has happened.”

Teammates know the value Pasquantino provides and continue to support him. They know they can count on him in more ways than one.

“I’m glad he is doing alright and up and moving around,” second baseman Michael Massey said. “He is a big part of this team and a big part of this clubhouse. It was good to see him today.”

The Royals have 24 games left in the regular season. They’re looking to snap a five-game losing streak and began a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium on Monday.

The Guardians entered Monday’s action 3.5 games ahead of the Royals and Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League Central Division.

Pasquantino hopes to be able to contribute on the field again this year, should the Royals make the postseason. He has a timeline in mind, but for now his goal is simply to attack his recovery process.

“I’ve got to be smart about this and I’ve got to attack this the right way,” he said. “But I think there are ways to hopefully accelerate the process.”

Ultimately, Pasquantino’s No. 1 priority is letting the bone in his right thumb heal completely. That’s crucial to any hope he has of returning early, or on time.

“In my mind, my season’s not over,” he said. “Whether that is realistic or not, I don’t know because we have to be smart about it. I have to be healthy enough to do it and I have to be productive.”