The Kansas City Royals will face the New York Mets in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, but they could be without one of their key postseason contributors for some of the Fall Classic.
Infielder Ben Zobrist may go on paternity leave at some point during the best-of-seven showdown. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports noted that Zobrist’s wife, Julianna, is due to give birth to the couple’s third child on Nov. 10.
Rosenthal also shared some comments from the second baseman: “If she goes into labor and I’m playing, she’s not going to tell me. Obviously if something happens, something dangerous, I’m gone—that’s the priority. She said if I’m playing and everything is fine, she’s probably not going to let me know until after the game.”
If the World Series goes the full seven games, the decisive contest would occur in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
According to Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com, there is no paternity list in the postseason, which means the Royals would be forced to play with a 24-man roster if Zobrist were to miss any games.
Kansas City acquired Zobrist before the trade deadline from the Oakland Athletics, and he hit .284 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 59 games for his new team. He has been even better in the postseason, with a .326 average, two home runs and 10 runs in 12 games, and he is known for his ability to play multiple positions.
The Royals added rookie infielder Raul Mondesi Jr. to their postseason roster in part so they have something of an insurance policy should Zobrist miss any time. While the 20-year-old Mondesi has never appeared in a game above Double-A, he is fast enough to cover ground in the middle infield in place of Zobrist and make an impact on the basepaths, as he had 19 steals in 81 minor league games this year.
If Mondesi does appear in a game, he will become the first player in the modern era to make his MLB debut in the World Series.
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