Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the team announced Wednesday he was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Continue for updates.
Cain Recovery Timetable Revealed
Wednesday, June 29
Cain told reporters he is hoping to return to the Royals on the Friday after the All-Star break, which is July 15.
Royals Announce Cain's Replacement on 25-man Roster
Wednesday, June 29
With Cain on the shelf, the Royals also announced they recalled outfielder Brett Eibner from Triple-A Omaha.
Cain Has Been Essential Piece to Royals Lineup
It will be a difficult blow for the Royals if their starting center fielder is out for a significant amount of time.
Cain has always been a threat, but he truly turned the corner in 2015 during his fifth season with Kansas City. He set career highs in hits (169), runs scored (101), home runs (16), RBI (72), walks (37), stolen bases (28, same as 2014), on-base percentage (.361) and slugging percentage (.477), and he anchors the middle of the order as one of the team’s most dangerous weapons.
Cain also posted a career-best 7.2 offensive WAR, per ESPN.com, and he was responsible for 18 total defensive runs saved above average in center, per FanGraphs.
As a result, Cain made his first career All-Star Game in 2015 and helped the Royals win the World Series with 11 postseason RBI and six stolen bases. Thus far, he has followed up his tremendous 2015 with a .290 batting average, eight home runs and 39 RBI in 2016.
Jarrod Dyson will likely replace Cain due to his status as the primary backup in center field.
Dyson is an incredible speed threat on the bases and reached the 25-steal plateau in each of the last four seasons. He covers ground in the outfield with his running ability as well and should slide into the lineup with relative ease, at least on the defensive side.
Dyson played all three outfield spots in 2015 and was responsible for 11 total defensive runs saved above average, per FanGraphs.
Dyson is a capable backup who will keep the loaded Royals afloat, but he is not the same threat at the plate as Cain. Kansas City needs its All-Star outfielder back in the lineup if it hopes to fulfill its potential in a chase for a second straight World Series title.
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