Royals call up Adalberto Mondesi in series of moves following Soler's toe injury

It may be a while yet before infielder Adalberto Mondesi becomes the Royals' shortstop, but the team will afford its former top prospect an opportunity to at least establish himself on the major-league roster in the coming weeks.

Mondesi headlined a series of roster moves the Royals made Sunday morning in the wake of outfielder Jorge Soler's foot injury. They also recalled outfielder Rosell Herrera from Class AAA Omaha and selected the contract of right-hander Wily Peralta, who was also with the Storm Chasers.

For now, Mondesi will play three to four times a week. Manager Ned Yost was reticent to indicate whether Mondesi would play only second base, as the 22-year-old did when he made the opening day roster last season. But with shortstop Alcides Escobar playing every day — including Sunday, Escobar has made 404 consecutive starts at shortstop for the Royals since 2015 — it's unlikely Mondesi will see much action on the left side of the infield.

At any rate, the Royals don't want to rush Mondesi into a role as a starter. He's yet to prove he can stay healthy through an entire season. Even this year, he's missed playing time because of two injuries: A shoulder impingement in spring training delayed the start of his season until April 30, and a sore hamstring caused him to miss more than a week of action with the Storm Chasers in mid-May.

Since returning from the hamstring injury, Mondesi has played 21 games and hit .238 (20 for 84) with 15 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, three home runs and 18 RBIs.

Mondesi hit .297 and clubbed 13 homers for Omaha in 89 games last year. He's batting .170 in 25 games with the Royals.

"He's never had success up here. He's a young guy. Just try to pace him a little bit," Yost said. "Play a couple games here, a couple games there, let him get his feet on the ground and start to have some success, which we all know he's gonna have."

To clear space, Soler was put on the 10-day disabled list. He is expected to miss up to six weeks. Right-hander Scott Barlow and infielder Ramon Torres, both of whom the Royals want playing more regularly, were optioned to Omaha. Left-hander Eric Skoglund was transferred to the 60-day DL to open a 40-man roster spot for Peralta.

Skoglund, who has an elbow sprain, can be reinstated on July 25.