Wacha (foot) completed a three-inning simulated game Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The Royals will wait and see how Wacha feels Friday following the sim game before deciding on his next steps, but the right-hander will most likely head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if he's not feeling any renewed discomfort in his fractured left foot. If Wacha is cleared to make a rehab start Monday or Tuesday, he could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list and slot back into the Kansas City rotation next weekend.
Royals' Michael Wacha: Scheduled for bullpen session
Rotowire
Wacha (foot) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
It will be the first time Wacha has thrown off a mound since he suffered a non-displaced left foot fracture back on May 31 when he was hit by a comebacker. The hope is that he will be able to rejoin the Royals' rotation before the end of the month, but he still has some steps to take in his progression and might need a rehab start.
Royals' Michael Wacha: Could return in less than one month
Rotowire
The Royals are hopeful that Wacha, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a small, non-displaced fracture in his left foot, will be able to rejoin the active roster in 3-to-4 weeks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Though he's without an official timeline for a return, Wacha at least looks poised to avoid surgery to address the injury, which he sustained when he was hit by a line drive in the first inning of his start Friday against the Padres. According to MLB.com, Wacha will be able to play catch on a knee to help keep his arm conditioned, but a firmer target date won't come into focus until the soreness in his fractured foot subsides and he's able to put full weight on the leg when he throws. He'll be limited to light catch for the next 7-to-10 days before potentially increasing his baseball activities after that, according to Goldberg.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Heads to IL with fractured foot
Rotowire
The Royals placed Wacha on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a non-displaced left foot fracture.
X-rays revealed that Wacha suffered structural damage to his foot after he was hit by a 90 mile-per-hour comebacker off the bat of Luis Arraez in the opening inning of Friday's 11-8 loss to the Padres. Despite the fact that he was likely dealing with some pain, Wacha stayed in the game and proceeded to cover 5.1 innings while allowing two runs in a no-decision. The Royals haven't provided a timeline for Wacha's return, but given the nature of his injury, he's likely to miss beyond the minimum 15 days regardless of whether or not he requires surgery. Daniel Lynch was called up from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and will take Wacha's spot in the rotation during the upcoming week.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Spotted in walking boot
Rotowire
Wacha was wearing a walking boot on his left foot following Friday's loss to the Padres, Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star reports.
Wacha took a 90-mph line drive off his left foot during the first at-bat of Friday's contest. He was able to remain in the game and pitch 5.1 innings of two-run ball while logging two strikeouts, but it's obvious his shot to the foot has bothered him. The 32-year-old right-hander said after the game that he will undergo imaging Saturday, at which point he and the Royals will have a better idea as to how severe the damage is.
