The Royals made one change to their World Series roster from the previous two rounds of the playoffs, dropping stolen-base specialist Terrance Gore and adding rookie Raul A. Mondesi, who has never played a major-league game.
Mondesi, a 20-year-old switch-hitting infielder, would give the Royals another pinch-hitting option for Games 3, 4 and 5 in New York, where the designated hitter will not be used. Mondesi is the son of former major-leaguer Raul Mondesi, who played 13 seasons for the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Yankees, among other teams.
A fleet-footed shortstop, Mondesi also gives the Royals protection in the middle infield if second baseman Ben Zobrist goes on paternity leave.