Welcome to The Pregame Lineup, a weekday newsletter that gets you up to speed on everything you need to know for today’s games, while catching you up on fun and interesting stories you might have missed. Thanks for being here.

The ideal blueprint for talented Latin American ballplayers is this: Sign with a Major League organization as a teenager, work your way up through the system while learning the ropes of the sport and of life in America, then ultimately live out your goal of playing – and maybe even starring – in the Majors.

But the reality is, not every player makes it to the highest level of the sport; even some of the finest prospects don’t pan out because of injuries, performance or something else. If playing in the big leagues isn’t an option, what is Plan B?

The prospect that got the Royals thinking about this scenario was Leonel Bejarán, a Dominican infielder who played in their system about a decade ago. Bejarán’s on-field journey didn’t make it past the Dominican Summer League, but his work ethic and the way he carried himself attracted the attention of Jeff Diskin, the team’s director of professional and sports development.

“Such a great kid, learned English quickly, graduated high school,” Diskin said. “He was the one that got me thinking about what we could do. How do we help these kids?”

As Anne Rogers details in her excellent story on this program, Diskin helped Bejarán enroll at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma, where he was able to continue playing baseball. More importantly, it gave him the opportunity to earn his degree and the time to figure out what his next step could be. Bejarán now works for MLB’s Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) as a career transition specialist.

Given his own success story, Bejarán is in a perfect role to set an example for others -- and he provided a path for the Royals to follow with future players in his position. Earlier this month, three former prospects from the team’s Dominican Academy graduated from Kansas Christian College.

This road wasn’t particularly easy either -- "When I started, half the time I did not know what I was doing,” Jesus Reyes told Rogers -- but Diskin stepped in with help, encouragement and the occasional ride to buy school supplies, and this hardworking trio eventually proudly donned caps and gowns.

“When I started with the Royals, I was a little kid basically,” Jose Ballista said. “But I learned how to be a man through them. They taught me to grow up. They were there for me when I failed. They are here for me now. What they do to get players to the next level, not only on the field but also in life, is incredible.”

-- Bryan Horowitz

• Mets @ Red Sox (6:45 p.m. ET, MLB.TV): The Yankees weren't the only team Juan Soto spurned in free agency this offseason. The Mets slugger also turned down a big offer from the Red Sox, meaning he shouldn't expect a warm welcome at Fenway Park either, even if it can't possibly match the onslaught of boos he received in the Bronx this weekend.

• Royals @ Giants (9:45 p.m. ET, FREE on MLB.TV): Like Mets-Red Sox above, whenever these teams face off, you can't help but think about their classic World Series matchup. Salvador Perez is the only player left from either roster in 2014 (not counting Buster Posey running the Giants' front office), and you know he’s had this series circled. 

• D-backs @ Dodgers (10:10 p.m. ET, MLB.TV): Rivalry Weekend may be over, but few matchups can equal the heat of this showdown. The Snakes get the champs coming off a surprising three-game sweep at the hands of the Halos, but L.A. could get a boost if Teoscar Hernández returns from the IL tonight. 

• With rivalries the talk of baseball this weekend, Paige Leckie canvassed the Nationals dugout to find out MLB stars' favorite rivalries from across sports. (Don't get Josh Bell started about the Mavs and Spurs!)

• Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch interviewed Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and catcher Luis Torrens -- both formerly with the Bombers -- about what it's like facing Aaron Judge and how the two-time MVP has changed (or hasn't) amid his rise to superstardom.

• It's been a tough season for Colorado, but Saturday was a Rocky Mountain high in the desert as the Rockies overcame deficits of 6-3 and 11-6 en route to a bonkers 14-12 victory in Arizona. Michael Reynolds details the wild win, including interim manager Warren Schaeffer's celebratory laundry cart ride.

• “I didn’t know if I was going to hit a homer for the rest of my career.” Travis d'Arnaud may have been kidding, but his first homer of the year was no joke, as it helped the Angels sweep the Dodgers for the first time since 2010. Read Rhett Bollinger's full report from Chavez Ravine.

As challenging as it can be for Major Leaguers to accept the end of their playing days, most do embrace retirement and find a new hobby. But not all. The most resilient, like former closer Fernando Rodney, may even roam great distances to keep their gloves in shape. Rodney's journey, which spanned 17 big league seasons and 327 saves, has taken him to Canada just past his 48th birthday. Jason Beck has the story from Hamilton, Ontario, where the three-time All-Star's changeup is still missing bats.

Rodney probably doesn't have a future in the Majors, but we're not sure the same can be said of Rich Hill. The 45-year-old lefty signed a Minor League deal last week with the Royals, whose pitching staff was hit with a couple injuries over the weekend and could probably use some extremely veteran help. Hill hasn't appeared in a game for Triple-A Omaha yet, but if (when?) he gets the call to K.C., he'll suit up for his 14th Major League team. Unsurprisingly, that would tie him for the all-time record, currently held by Edwin Jackson. Even if Hill isn't pitching the most critical innings of a game, former teammate Seth Lugo sees deeper value: "He's just a joy to be around."

-- Tom Vourtsis

For all the obscure stats whizzes out there, this one’s for you. See how well you can compare players and their stats before the timer runs out. Three strikes and you’re out! Play free >>

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