Notes: Keller debuts; Mondesi feels healthy

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Brad Keller’s first Cactus League action was no easy test: He faced the reigning World Series champion Dodgers on Friday at Surprise Stadium, with Mookie Betts leading off, followed by Corey Seager, Justin Turner and Max Muncy.

“Might as well get thrown in the fire right away, first game out there and face the defending champs,” Keller said. “It was awesome. Showed me how I stacked up with where I’m at right now. Obviously I want to get better from today’s outing, but just go out there and face those guys right off the rip. It was awesome.”

Keller allowed one run on four hits in three innings in the Royals’ 7-5 loss to Los Angeles, but the right-hander showed some solid stuff in his first spring outing against an opposing team. He showed his normal fastball-slider combination, but he also flashed some good changeups, getting a weak popup and a swing-and-miss off the pitch that he’s tinkered with over the offseason.

Keller wants to trust his changeup more this season, especially because his goal is to be a workhorse for the Royals rotation this season and go deeper into games. Adding a consistent fourth pitch -- to go along with his four-seamer, slider and sinker -- would help to get through the lineup a third time.

“It’s got good action,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “You’re seeing some swings-and-misses. He’s so good with the fastball, moving it both sides, sink, cut. The changeup is just something that I believe is one of the most undervalued pitches in the game of baseball. And for our young starters to be able to have that weapon, that should be just as effective to left-handers and right-handers to go along and complement the break that they have. It just makes them a tougher pitcher to face.”

Keller only threw the changeup 17 times last season, all to left-handed hitters. He hopes to throw it to both sides of the plate this year, early and deep in the at-bat, behind and ahead in the count.

“That’s what it comes down to -- I've just got to trust it, know my delivery for it, know where I want it to start, where I want it to end up,” Keller said. “… Just kind of show it. I think that’s what it comes down to. I’m good at throwing them in bullpens and warming up, but once I get in the game, I've got to really trust it.”

Mondesi feeling good after debut

Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi lined an RBI double in his second at-bat of the spring on Friday, going to the opposite field with a hard knock in the third inning. The Royals eased Mondesi into Cactus League action because of a sore foot after he got hit by a pitch during live batting practice before coming to camp.

“I’ve been feeling good,” Mondesi said. “First game today, and we’ll see how it is tomorrow. … Just taking it easy with three or four weeks to go [before Opening Day]. We need to prepare and be ready, but we’ve got enough time to get ready.”

Mondesi was healthy this offseason after spending last winter coming off shoulder surgery, and he said his swing feels good this year in Spring Training -- after not playing in exhibition games at all last spring. His goal this year is sustained health, and if that happens, he knows his bat and defense can help the Royals.

“I just want to be healthy and win some games,” Modesi said. “If that happens, we’re going to be good. If I’m healthy, I know I can help the team.”

Mic’d up Merrifield

Royals outfielder Whit Merrifield joined the crew on ESPN during Friday’s game, talking with Dave Flemming and Jessica Mendoza, while playing right field in the top of the first. He talked about everything from his favorite Kansas City barbecue -- Joe’s Kansas City was the verdict -- to what it’s like without Alex Gordon in the clubhouse and on the field.

“Well now I have to pick up the tab at dinners,” Merrifield said. “But I'm thankful [Hunter] Dozier got his contract, so that’s on him.”

Merrifield kept his earbuds in to hit leadoff against Clayton Kershaw in the bottom of the first -- and doubled to the left-field wall on an 0-2 pitch. He joked he should get stronger so it’s a home run after saying that he wanted to save those hits for the regular season.

"You ruined Whit,” Matheny said with a smile when it was his turn to join the broadcast. “He hits a double with AirPods in, and now he's got to thinking he has to do that the rest of the year."

Worth noting

• Michael A. Taylor continued to impress in Cactus League play, knocking a double in the second inning and launching a two-run home run in the fourth inning that was projected at 432 feet, according to the Royals’ Trackman system.

“You’re seeing just quick hands, you’re seeing a short path to the ball, and you’re seeing the hard hit,” Matheny said. “Whether it’s in [live BP], BP, it’s good for him to see the ball jump like it did today. Just really happy with how he’s going about it.”

• Left-hander Kris Bubic was originally scheduled to pitch Friday but didn’t appear on the roster. Matheny said the move wasn’t injury-related, just that Bubic was pushed back a day or so on the schedule.

• Lefty Mike Minor is slated to make his spring debut on Saturday against the Giants, with Jakob Junis scheduled to start against the Padres on Sunday.