ATLANTA
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia stumbled early in Friday’s season opener against the Atlanta Braves.
In the first inning, Garcia lost his footing while going down the stairs in the dugout at Truist Park. He turned his ankle but was able to stay in the game.
Garcia was examined by the Royals’ training staff. He said he felt fine after the medical evaluation.
“I’m good and I’m OK,” he said. “Just get to the training room and check to see if everything is good.”
Garcia played all nine innings in Friday’s 6-0 loss. He showed no signs of discomfort while playing defense or rounding the bases. He even recorded his first steal of the season, swiping a base against left-handed Braves ace Chris Sale in the third inning.
“No, I don’t want to come out in the first game,” Garcia said. “You know, I want to be there every single night.”
Garcia finished 1-for-3 Friday. He recorded a leadoff single and made a few defensive plays in the field.
But the Royals were limited to five hits, and Garcia wasn’t the only one who stumbled. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans took the loss after allowing four runs across four innings — including three homers in a single game for the first time in his career.
The Royals will look to even the series on Saturday. Garcia hopes to be in the lineup and help the offense turn things around at Truist Park.
“Yeah we lost, but we are happy to be back,” he said. “Just come back tomorrow and try to get the first (win).”
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.