Mondesi (oblique) heading to ST complex

Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi is going to the team’s Spring Training facility in Surprise, Ariz., to make sure that he is up to game speed before returning from the injured list.

Mondesi, who is on the IL because of a right oblique strain, is ready to hit right-handed and is able to take batting practice from that side of the plate. From the left side, he is not quite ready to hit, according to manager Mike Matheny. Mondesi has yet to play a regular-season game in 2021 because of the injury.

It’s not yet known when Mondesi will have a rehab assignment. That decision will be up to the team’s medical staff.

“Mondi is going there and [getting] on his feet, [moving] around,” Matheny said. “They have a lot of people down there who could help him take that next step. He can get as many live swings from the right side as [he needs while] making progression on the left side. It’s a good place for him to be right now.”

A healthy Mondesi would add elite speed and defense to the Royals’ lineup.

“The range he has, his arm, athleticism -- all those things we will look forward to seeing when the time comes,” Matheny said.