The injury bug has taken it's toll on the Kansas City Royals of late, as while they may not be mathematically out of the race, they'll need more than just a single 20-run contest to turn their fortunes around.
And their week chalked full of injuries won't help their case as well. The end of this week did bring some hope for a better stretch run, but at the same time brought on some unfortunate updates that point towards them continuing to play short-handed.
A return of Seth Lugo seems unlikely at this point
While the Royals have been without their former Cy Young finalist for the entirety of September, nor has he pitched like one in the second-half, losing a freshly extended key arm was likely not in their plans for the end of the campaign.