Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters today that outfielder Jarrod Dyson is expected to miss six weeks due to a grade II oblique strain. He's expected to start the 2016 season on the disabled list.
Dyson, who was slated to be the team's starting right fielder on Opening Day, suffered the injury Wednesday during the team's Cactus League opener. Kansas City will open the season on April 3 against the New York Mets, but Dyson is expected to be sidelined.
Yost said others will have a chance to get some reps in right field, but Paulo Orlando, who was expected to platoon with Dyson, will likely get the most time out there. It's unclear what other options there may be considering Orlando is the only other backup outfielder on the depth chart, but it's possible Brett Eibner, Jose Martinez, Reymond Fuentes, Travis Snider or Bubba Starling could earn some playing time there at the onset of 2016. That will obviously depend on their spring training performances.
Dyson, 31, has never played in more than 120 games in a single season throughout his MLB career, but his injury is a big blow for the Royals. Over the past four seasons he's stolen a total of 126 bases, including 26 in just 90 games last year and 34 in 87 games back in 2013. He's one of the best baserunners in the MLB and is expected to facilitate more run production for the potent Royals' offense.
He's signed through the 2016 season for $1.73 million before he enters his arbitration years.
Kansas City declined Alex Rios' team option for 2016, which opened the door for Dyson to take over in right field.
Keep an eye open for Starling, who has made big improvements over the past two seasons. The former first-round selection (fifth overall) in the 2011 MLB Draft hit .269/.337/.448 with 57 runs scored, 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 103 games between High Class A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas while battling some injuries.
Baseball America ranked him the organization's No. 3 overall prospect. Although he may not have been expected to make his MLB debut until at least September, Dyson's injury provides an opportunity. And if Starling can produce during spring training, the Royals may give him some time at the MLB level before sending him back down to the minors.
