The Royals announced that they’ve placed center fielder Lorenzo Cain on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring strain and recalled outfielder Brett Eibner from Triple-A Omaha in his place. Cain sustained a hamstring injury in last night’s contest while attempting to beat out an infield single.
[Related: Updated Kansas City Royals depth chart]
The 30-year-old Cain hasn’t enjoyed quite as productive a season as he did in 2015, but he’s still been a very important piece for the Royals in 2016, batting .290/.336/.416 with eight homers, six steals and tremendous defense in center field. The injury to Cain could shift the fleet-footed Jarrod Dyson over to center field, leaving Kansas City with an alignment of Alex Gordon, Dyson and Paulo Orlando as its regular unit for the yet-unannounced length of time that will be missed by Cain. While that’s a defensively sound trio, Dyson doesn’t come with the same offensive prowess as Cain, and the Royals’ lineup (23rd in the Majors in runs scored, 15th in OPS, 17th in wRC+) isn’t exactly equipped to lose one of its better overall contributors after already seeing Mike Moustakas go down for the year due to a torn ACL.
The Royals are already facing a six-game deficit in the American League Central as they look to defend their World Series title, though they’re still four games over the .500 mark and just a half game back from one of the two American League Wild Card positions, so the loss of Cain doesn’t figure to dramatically alter the team’s thinking. Kansas City still seems like a reasonable bet to seek upgrades on the trade market this summer. If anything, the loss of Cain could create a greater sense of urgency to augment the current roster, though any speculation as to how the club will proceed is best curbed until the extent of Cain’s hamstring injury is known.
Nick Markakis?? Please take him, I want to see younger players play and I feels he’s just in the way. Love the guy but he’s doesn’t benefit us.
Eibner is better. Why would they want Markakis?
First let me say I am a huge Braves fan. But, I have to kindly disagree. Not because you are wrong, but for a different reason. Everyone knew the Braves were, and will continue, to suck this year. Other than Freeman (and some could argue Aybar), Markakis is the only big name bat on the team. In down years like this, I like to still see some familiar faces. It gives me something to root for. Plus, it gives younger guys a little bit longer to develop.
Chop on
Well not to say you’re wrong but I know most players likely to be playing for the Braves. Trade Nick and play Frenchy everyday. That’s a bigger name for Braves fans than Nick.
Man, the two defending league champions are taking a beating this year. The Royals and the Mets have a ton of injuries. I know injuries are part of the game, but it would be awesome to see a video game like season where the majority of starting lineups of all the teams could stay healthy for a large majority of the year.