MLB Notes

The Kansas City Royals’ top prospect Raul Mondesi
The Kansas City Royals’ top prospect Raul Mondesi

ROYALS

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Washington Nationals righthander Stephen Strasburg

Mondesi to return soon

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Raul Mondesi, the Kansas City Royals' top prospect, 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 the Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals on July 4, if the Naturals don't have a rainout.

Mondesi was suspended 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" 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.

Mondesi was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Mondesi, who turns 21 on July 27, was hitting .250 with 5 doubles, 5 home runs and 11 stolen bases with the Naturals.

NATIONALS

Strasburg to start Sunday

MILWAUKEE -- Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will return to start Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers after skipping his last scheduled appearance with an upper back strain.

Strasburg was scratched from an anticipated showdown against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Monday. Strasburg is 10-0 with a 2.90 ERA in 14 starts this season.

"If he's encouraged, I'm encouraged," Nationals Manager Dusty Baker said before a game Friday night against Milwaukee. "Welcome back. He's been working hard with our training staff to get ready for his start. I'm sure he wouldn't have gone out there if he wasn't ready. He says he's ready, then we'll welcome him."

RAYS

Arcia acquired from Twins

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays addressed a need for help in the outfield Friday, acquiring left-handed hitting Oswaldo Arcia from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named or $45,000.

The move is designed to bolster an outfield that's missing starters Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr., as well as reserves Brandon Guyer and Mikie Mahtook, all of whom are on the 15-day disabled list.

The Rays cleared room on the 40-man roster by designating right-handed pitcher Andrew Bellati for assignment. The team will announce another move to open a spot on the active roster.

Arcia, 25, batted .214 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI in 32 games with the Twins this season. He is a .240 career hitter with 40 home runs and 120 RBI over parts of four big league seasons.

"He's put together some pretty good seasons," Tampa Bay Manager Kevin Cash said. "He's shown some power in the past."

Cash was Cleveland's bullpen coach when he saw Arcia playing for the Twins.

"He actually beat us up pretty good," Cash recalled. "So it's just another piece that we can maybe add and mix and match with. Hopefully a change of scenery will do him well and do us well in the meantime."

PIRATES

RHP Nicasio reinstated

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh right-hander Juan Nicasio was reinstated from the restricted list and moved to the bullpen as the Pirates made a number of roster moves prior to Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Pirates also selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Adam Frazier from Class AAA Indianapolis, optioned catcher Jacob Stallings to the same club and designated right-hander Jorge Rondon and infielder Cole Figueroa for assignment.

Nicasio is 5-6 with a 5.83 ERA in 13 games, including 12 starts. He left the team Sunday to attend to a family matter in his home in the Dominican Republic.

"We have a need in the bullpen and we feel Juan can fill it, whether it's pitching multiple innings earlier innings or helping out at the back end," Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said. "We feel this is right move for what we need right now."

Nicasio's spot in the rotation comes up Sunday night, but Hurdle said he wasn't ready to announce who would start against the Dodgers.

Frazier's .333 batting average and 87 hits were leading the International League. This marks the 24-year-old's first time in the major leagues.

-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services

Sports on 06/25/2016

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