Kansas City Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the remainder of the 2023 MLB season

Victories haven’t come as frequently as the Royals had hoped this season. And injuries have been a factor.

The Royals got more bad news Wednesday.

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the team announced, and he is expected to miss the rest of the 2023 season.

“This is one of those things. I’ve got to get it done,” Pasquantino said. “’I’ve got to put myself in the best position to be ready to roll moving forward next year. Just go ahead and essentially make this something we don’t have to manage on a daily basis.”

Pasquantino, 25, was batting .247 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs in 61 games when he was placed on the injured list Saturday with right-shoulder instability. He hit 17 doubles, which is still the most on the team; his 25 walks still rank second, one behind right fielder MJ Melendez.

Pasquantino has dealt with shoulder discomfort before. He said it was a difficult decision to choose surgery but felt it was needed alleviate the lingering pain.

“I’ve never had a surgery before,” Pasquantino said. “I’m hoping this is the last one. We move on from this and come back.”

The surgery is expected soon, but the Royals and their medical staff have not announced a date yet.

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo spoke about Pasquantino’s injury on Monday as the team awaited the results of an MRI.

“It’s concerning,” Picollo said. “It’s an injury that he had last year. And whenever it occurs it’s concerning, but we’ll see where he’s at after imaging today, seeing some doctors and talking to people.

“But it’s concerning. It’s a non-throwing shoulder which is positive, but it is the hand he extends with as a hitter, so it is concerning.”

Pasquantino missed 17 days a year ago while dealing with the injury.

“It’s not something we want to hear,” Melendez said. “That’s one of our guys we look to in big situations and day to day. He is a great person and great teammate. It’s really unfortunate and we have to keep going. It’s something he’d want us to do — play hard and not get down.”

The list of Royals injuries this season is substantial. Starting pitcher Kris Bubic had Tommy John surgery in April, and right-hander Brad Keller is on the injured list now (shoulder fatigue).

Left-hander Daniel Lynch was injured in spring training and missed the first two months of the season. Center fielder Drew Waters (oblique) also went down in the spring and missed the first eight weeks of the season.

Ryan Yarborough is on the 15-day injured list after being struck in the face by a batted ball. Outfielder Kyle Isbel (hamstring) has missed the past month.

“It’s out of our control,” Picollo said of the injuries. “So it’s one thing, but it has been frustrating. I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks, when Isbel gets back (and) having everybody on the field from a position-player standpoint. Now Vinnie’s out ... but hopefully we get to see all those guys together. We haven’t had it happen yet.”

The Royals will shift Nick Pratto to first base. This season, Pratto has played left field while filling in at first base occasionally. He will get the bulk of the work at first now.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Matt Duffy, Nate Eaton and even Salvador Perez could also play the position.

“I think that’s the balance,” Quatraro said of Pratto’s usage at first base. “We will get him a day here and there when it’s appropriate to make sure he stays fresh.”

Pasquantino plans to remain around the team. He was seen helping teammates during batting practice on the Royals’ last road trip.

“This isn’t one of those things where you are not going to see me,” he said. “It’s way harder to get rid of me than that. So, I’ll be around here and anything I can do to help.”

Quatraro said Pasquantino won’t operate as another coach. Instead, he will help energize the dugout with his approach to the game.

“He is someone that people respect for how he goes about his business,” Quatraro said. “The way he plays the game and the way he competes. I think that will go a tremendous way in helping to develop everybody.”

The Royals were to conclude their three-game series against the Reds on Wednesday. Pratto was slated to lead off and play first base.

The Star’s Pete Grathoff also contributed to this report.