Royals activate Hunter Dozier, place Franchy Cordero on injured list

The Kansas City Royals‘ lineup will receive a major boost Sunday as they go for a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins.

The team activated infielder/outfielder Hunter Dozier from the injured list prior to Sunday’s game while placing outfielder Franchy Cordero on the IL with a right wrist sprain.

Dozier, 28, missed the Royals’ first 16 games after testing positive for COVID-19. He broke out in a major way in 2019, hitting .279 with an .870 OPS, a major league-leading 10 triples, 26 homers and 84 RBIs. Dozier served as the Royals’ primary third baseman last season, and while he’s expected to play mostly in right field this year, he’ll start at first base in his season debut.

Cordero, 25, was acquired from the Padres last month in a deal that sent reliever Tim Hill to San Diego. He’s struggled at the plate thus far, hitting .154 with two doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base in 11 games.