When the Royals open the season next week in Minnesota, manager Ned Yost plans to write Raul Mondesi’s name in as the starting second baseman.
Yost announced Monday that Mondesi had won the job, edging out Christian Colon, Whit Merrifield and Cheslor Cuthbert. Yost added the Cuthbert is in line to make the 25-man roster when the season starts. Merrifield and Colon will continue battling for bench spot this week.
Outfielder Jorge Soler has a strained oblique and could be headed to the 15-day disabled list, Yost said. Terrance Gore a is a frontrunner to make club.