Maikel Garcia Goes Back On Royals' Injured List With Strained Hamstring

The return of Maikel Garcia to the Kansas City Royals lasted just three games plus one at-bat.

The third baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday by the Royals due to a strained left hamstring. Right-handed reliever Carlos Duran was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, while taking their spots on the 26-man roster are outfielder Matthew Lugo and right-handed reliever Jose Cuas, who were called up from Omaha.

Garcia was injured during the first inning Thursday after taking a big turn around third base following a misplay on a grounder to short. Nic Loftin took over at third base as Garcia exited the game. Garcia had just returned to the Royals' lineup Monday following a muscle strain in his left hand from the last week in June.

Garcia is slashing .269/.324/.385 in 73 games, hitting three homers and driving in 32.

The 25-year-old Lugo will be making his Royals debut. He has only appeared in the majors for 31 games last season with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a .232/.243/.464 with four homers and nine RBIs. The Royals claimed Lugo off waivers from the Angels on June 2. Between the Angels and Royals in the minors this season, he has a .265/.350/.473 slash line with 14 homers and 65 RBIs, along with 14 steals, in 100 games.

Cuas has a 1.64 ERA in 10 games and 11 innings, with four walks and 13 strikeouts.

Duran has appeared in two games with the Royals this year, allowing two runs in 1⅓ innings.