Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi will not be in the starting lineup for a fourth consecutive game Saturday because of a left hamstring strain.
Mondesi, 25, left Monday night’s victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning after coming away with the injury in the field and hasn’t played since. He made his season debut on May 25 after missing nearly the first two months of the season due to an oblique strain.
In seven games this season, Mondesi is hitting .360 with two home runs and five RBIs. He missed the Royals’ first 45 games after he started the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain.
Nicky Lopez will fill in at shortstop Saturday and bat ninth against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Mondesi did take ground balls in pregame work Saturday and manager Mike Matheny said his shortstop was improved.
Mondesi, who led the major leagues with 24 stolen bases last season, is a career .253 hitter in 315 games with 34 home runs, 142 RBIs and 114 stolen bases.