Royals shortstop Mondesi has torn knee ligament

CHICAGO » Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi’s season is in jeopardy after tests Thursday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.

Mondesi, 26, who played in only 35 games in 2021 because of left hamstring and left oblique injuries, had started 14 of 15 games.

“It’s heartbreaking,” infielder Nicky Lopez said.

An MRI Thursday revealed the tear. Mondesi, who was batting .140 (7-for-50) with five stolen bases in five attempts, suffered the injury on an attempted pickoff play Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox.

Lopez, who started 141 games at shortstop in 2021, likely will move from second base. Bobby Witt Jr. also is a possibility, but manager Mike Matheny intimated his prized rookie is getting acclimated to third base.