KANSAS CITY --
Mondesi was removed in the bottom of the eighth inning with a tweak in his left hamstring, manager Mike Matheny said after the Royals’ victory in the series opener at Kauffman Stadium. Mondesi was working with the Royals trainers postgame, so there wasn’t a further update on the injury.\n\nThe removal was precautionary and hopes are that it is nothing serious. But Mondesi has the injury history that makes any tweak or bruise concerning on some level. He has only been back from the injured list for a week after missing the first month and a half of the season because of a right oblique strain.\n\n“Hated to see him come out of the game right there,” Matheny said. “Had a tweak in his hamstring. We’re still getting our eyes on what that exactly is, but it’s unfortunate. We’ll hear what the trainers have to say.”
Matheny said he thinks the injury occurred on Mondesi’s defensive gem in the top of the eighth inning, when Kevin Newman hit a chopper on the infield grass. Mondesi charged in and made the perfect throw -- another highlight that shows how valuable of a player he is for the Royals.
“That ball was hammered,” Matheny said. “Great swing, wasn’t trying to do too much, and he’s really been in a good place with his swing.”\n\nThe homer gave the Royals two insurance runs after starter
The Royals’ offense came through again with two runs in the eighth inning on a double from Lopez, a fielder’s choice from
That turnaround isn’t all because of Mondesi. The Royals are seeing contributions up and down their lineup lately. All nine starting position players Monday recorded at least one hit for the first time since Aug. 6, 2020, against the Cubs.\n\nBut there is no doubt the Royals' offense is better with Mondesi in it.\n\n“He can just do so much,” said