Rookie Catcher Scratched from Royals Lineup

Carter Jensen will miss tonight's game due to an undisclosed injury.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:43am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting the fragmented equipment and movements of a baseball catcher, conveying the disruption caused by an injury to a key player.An injury to the Royals' young catcher disrupts the team's plans for the season.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals have scratched rookie catcher Carter Jensen from their lineup for tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. The team has not provided details on the nature of Jensen's injury, but he will be held out of the game as a precaution.

Why it matters

Jensen, 23, was expected to be the Royals' starting catcher this season after a strong spring training performance. His absence from the lineup is a setback for the rebuilding Royals, who are hoping to develop their young talent this year.

The details

The Royals did not specify the reason for Jensen's late scratch, only saying he was dealing with an undisclosed injury and would not be available for tonight's game. Jensen had been projected to be the team's starting catcher after impressing in spring training, but now the Royals will have to turn to their backup options behind the plate.

  • The Royals announced Jensen's scratch from the lineup just hours before the scheduled first pitch against the Twins.

The players

Carter Jensen

A 23-year-old rookie catcher for the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City Royals

A Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Minnesota Twins

A Major League Baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Royals have not provided a timeline for Jensen's return, so it remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined. The team will need to rely on their backup catchers until Jensen is healthy enough to rejoin the lineup.

The takeaway

This is an early setback for the Royals and their plans to develop Jensen as their catcher of the future. The team will need to find a way to weather his absence and ensure he returns to full health before rushing him back onto the field.