Garcia is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Garcia started each of the Royals' first six games coming out of the All-Star break and will get the night off Friday. Nick Loftin will bat seventh and man the hot corner in Garcia's place.
Pasquantino went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Pasquantino appears to be taking inspiration from teammate Bobby Witt -- this was the former's second three-hit effort in the last three games. Pasquantino has gotten to turning around his season in July, batting .304 this month, though he's still lacking in power with a .377 slugging percentage over 17 games in that span. For the year, the first baseman has a .258/.320/.425 slash line with 11 home runs, 66 RBI, 44 runs scored, 23 doubles and two triples over 99 contests.
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Royals' Bobby Witt: Reaches four times in loss
Rotowire
Witt went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Witt took a one-day break from cranking out three-hit efforts Tuesday, then got right back to it Wednesday with his fifth such game in six contests since the All-Star break. The shortstop entered the break hitting .323 on the year and has lifted that already stellar mark to .344 with his recent surge. He's posted a .983 OPS, 18 home runs, 23 stolen bases, 70 RBI, 83 runs scored, 28 doubles and 10 triples as one of the best five-category producers this season.
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Royals' James McArthur: Implodes in ninth inning
Rotowire
McArthur (4-4) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks.
McArthur had been better of late, allowing just two runs (one earned) over his previous 12 innings, but it was a full meltdown for the right-hander in Wednesday's contest. He blew a one-run lead on a Gabriel Moreno two-run double and then surrendered a three-run home run to Ketel Marte. McArthur is now 17-for-22 in save chances this year with a 4.91 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB through 40.1 innings. He's hardly been convincing throughout the campaign, though the Royals previously lacked better options to replace him in the ninth inning. That may change going forward with Hunter Harvey on the roster, though Harvey was used in the eighth inning Wednesday and could remain in a setup role he's filled all year both with Washington and Kansas City.
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Royals' Hunter Harvey: Grabs first hold with new team
Rotowire
Harvey walked one and hit a batter in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a hold in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.
While the Royals failed to hold the lead, it wasn't Harvey's fault, as he protected a one-run advantage in the eighth inning. Harvey is in a high-leverage role following his trade from the Nationals, though he has yet to differentiate himself from the other middling late-inning options on Kansas City's roster. For the year, he has a 4.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 52:14 K:BB with no saves, 27 holds and two blown saves through 47 innings. James McArthur has functioned as the Royals' closer this year, but his continued struggles since May leave him on shaky ground, potentially opening the door for Harvey or other relievers like Chris Stratton, John Schreiber and Sam Long to get looks for saves as long as the team remains in the playoff hunt.
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Royals' MJ Melendez: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Melendez (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.
Melendez sprained his left ankle July 14 and was placed on the injured list over the All-Star break, but he's ready for game action a week and a half later. Given the brevity of his absence, Melendez may need just one rehab game before getting the green light to rejoin the Royals, perhaps as soon as this weekend's series versus the Cubs. Whenever he's activated, Melendez should settle back in as the Royals' primary left fielder against right-handed pitching.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Allows three homers
Rotowire
Wacha did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing three hits on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings while striking out one.
Wacha didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, surrendering a solo homer to Eugenio Suarez in the second inning and later giving up another two long balls, back-to-back, in the fourth to put Kansas City at a 3-1 deficit. The three home runs allowed marked a season high for the veteran right-hander, while the one strikeout was also his lowest total of the campaign. Wacha had gone at least five innings in 10 consecutive starts heading into Wednesday's matchup.
Melendez (ankle) was spotted running on the field at Kauffman Stadium prior to Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Ten days after spraining his left ankle, Melendez appears to be making great strides in his recovery. In addition to running the bases, Melendez has also been able to take swings in the batting cage and take part in defensive drills this week. The Royals are expected to re-evaluate Melendez on Thursday and determine whether he's fit to return from the IL during this weekend's three-game series with the Cubs, or if he'll first need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Renfroe is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Diamondbacks.
Renfroe started the first two games of the series, slugging a home run Monday and drawing a couple walks Tuesday. He'll begin Wednesday's contest on the bench while Drew Waters draws a start in right field.
Marsh (7-7) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Marsh's last outing was a one-inning relief appearance, presumably to get him some work just after the All-Star break. His return to a starting role didn't go very well, as he allowed at least five runs for the third time in his last seven appearances. The right-hander is now at a 4.75 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90:31 K:BB through 96.2 innings over 19 appearances (18 starts) this season. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road versus the White Sox, though Marsh would likely be in the most danger of losing his rotation spot if the Royals decide to add starting pitching before the trade deadline.
