Royals’ top prospect Raul Mondesi is nearing a return from his 50-game suspension.
The Royals on Friday announced that Mondesi, an infielder, will start a rehab assignment at Class A-Advanced Wilmington on Saturday. He will be able to return to Class AA Northwest Arkansas on July 4, if the Naturals don’t have a rainout.
Mondesi was suspended on May 10 after testing positive for Clenbuterol, a performance-enhancing substance. Mondesi said the positive test came after he took an “over-the-counter medication (Subrox-C)” in the Dominican Republic. Mondesi said he didn’t know there was a banned substance in the medicine, which he used to treat cold and flu symptoms.