SURPRISE, Ariz. — The best-laid plans of the front office, coaching staff and players are no match for the winds of fate. Kansas City Royals fans need look no further back than last spring training to appreciate that cruel fact.
A double play combination of shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and second baseman Nicky Lopez certainly seemed preordained going into spring training 2021.
Then Lopez’s offensive struggles in the spring forced the Royals to reevaluate their plan at second base. As if those previous plans hadn’t already been thoroughly shredded, Mondesi strained an oblique on the last day of the Cactus League exhibition schedule.