KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was out of the lineup for Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a grade-1 MCL sprain.
He left Thursday's game at the end of the fourth inning after earlier fielding a ground ball.
Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said Friday the Royals were “fortunate” that it was just a mild sprain.
“It just could have been a lot worse,” Quatraro said.
The plan was to give Witt Friday off. The teams are scheduled for a rare Saturday off day because a World Cup match between Ecuador and Curaçao will be played at neighboring Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead) on Saturday night.
Quatraro was hopeful that Witt could return for Sunday's game.
“We’ll re-evaluate the timeline come Sunday,” he said, "So we’ll see. It’s not a surgical thing. I know they can put a brace on it. It’s going to be (getting) the swelling out of there and understand how he feels. Those conversations are going to have to be honest between all of us.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. talks to manager Matt Quatraro, right, and trainer Kyle Turner, left, after getting injured while fielding a single by St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup without injured forward Christian Pulisic on the field, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday.
A deep U.S. roster earned a knockout berth after only two matches for the first time. The last time the Americans served as World Cup hosts in 1994, they advanced by being one of the best third-place teams. They then lost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match, which was in the round of 16.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury.
“C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance.”
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline by Balogun.
He directed a centering pass towards striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
United States' Ricardo Pepi (9) and Australia's Harry Souttar (19) fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States goalkeeper Matt Freese (24) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) and Antonee Robinson (5) celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States fans hold signs on the stand during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) appeals for offside after United States' Alex Freeman (16) scored a goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
