Vinnie Pasquantino broken right thumb injury

Vinnie Pasquantino has a broken right thumb, the Royals announced Friday morning, and he is looking at a six- to eight-week timeline for a return.

With a little over four weeks left in the regular season, it means the Royals have likely lost their first baseman and one of their most important run producers for the final stretch of a tight division race in the American League Central.

Pasquantino was undergoing more tests on Friday when the Royals made the announcement. There’s a chance he could return for the playoffs, with the Royals holding a 5 1/2 game lead in the second Wild Card spot and sitting 1 1/2 games behind the Guardians for first place in the division.

Pasquantino exited in the eighth inning of the Royals’ series-opener in Houston on Thursday after reliever Lucas Erceg wildly threw a ball to first to try to get an out with the Royals leading by a run and the Astros threatening.

The inning ended up being disastrous for the Royals in more ways than one after Pasquantino stretched across the inside lane of first base to try and catch the ball. Astros catcher Yanier Diaz ran into Pasquantino’s glove, and Pasquantino immediately fell to the ground in pain.

Erceg also left the game with a trainer and had X-rays done on his right hand where comebacker hit him. The Royals did not provide an update on the reliever Friday morning. They were hoping for the best with him, too, because of how good he’s been late in games since the Royals acquired him at the Trade Deadline.

The Royals have not made a roster move to replace Pasquantino on the roster, but whoever comes up, it’s going to be near impossible to replace his bat in the lineup. The 26-year-old has slashed .262/.315/.446 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs as the Royals’ everyday No. 3 hitter, creating a dynamic trio with Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez as the heart of Kansas City’s order.

Those three have carried the offense all season, and now more of the pressure will fall on Witt and Perez.

Nick Pratto and CJ Alexander are both in Triple-A and can play first base. Utility infielder Nick Loftin has also gotten reps there this year. Perez has been the Royals’ backup first baseman when he needs a day off catching, and he could move to the infield more as Freddy Fermin has earned more playing time with his offensive performance and is more than capable of handling backstop duties.