Raul

Mondesi

Bad news for Karim Garcia, who was at least getting most of the at-bats against righthanders. Trades and performance could still effect this situation, however.

Mondesi is day-to-day with a hip flexor injury.

''Maybe I’ll come back. Maybe I’ll stay here,’' Mondesi said in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and two Dominican journalists. For the time being, Mondesi cannot tear himself away from his wife and children until a bitter legal dispute is solved. He made clear that he’s not retiring, believing he ''can play another five or six years.’'

Mondesi is day-to-day.

Danny Bautista is filling in for Mondesi.

It was just a precautionary move, and Mondesi could return today.

Mondesi, Juan Gonzalez and Jose Cruz Jr. appear to be the top candidates to fill the Royals’ outfield vacancy. GM Allard Baird said he’s in no hurry to get a deal done, a sign that he might want to see who becomes available after the Dec. 20 deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.

Pirates’ GM Dave Littlefield will check in daily with Mondesi’s agent, and the Pirates will play short-handed until the right fielder gets back. He is currently in the Domincan Republic, tending to personal issues.

Danny Bautista will make $4 million next year, so the Diamondbacks may want to give him his starting job back. Mondesi’s probably going to want far more than he’s worth once he becomes a free agent,

Signing Mondesi is a far better idea than bringing back Randall Simon, but this whole thing is a big mistake by the Pirates, who have again decided to make a run at 75 wins. Mondesi should start in right field and bat cleanup, making him worth at least $18. It’s now likely that Craig Wilson will enter yet another year as a backup. J.J. Davis will probably be traded to a team interested in developing young players. Toronto, Milwaukee, Arizona, Los Angeles and Cincinnati are among the clubs that could be interested.