All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. did not start for Kansas City in Sunday’s game at Minnesota due to what Royals manager Matt Quatraro termed as a stiff back.

It marked just the second time this season that Witt was not in the Royals’ starting lineup. He sat out the Royals’ 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on July 23 to rest his knee.

Witt has produced a .284/.340/.493 slash line with 17 homers and 30 stolen bases in 116 games this season. He leads the major leagues with 37 doubles.

According to Quatraro, Witt woke up with a stiff back on Saturday morning. He went 0-for-4 with one strikeout in Saturday’s 2-0 win.

Maikel Garcia, usually the Royals’ third baseman, shifted to make the start at shortstop Sunday. Adam Frazier stepped in at third.

–Field Level Media