Jarrod Dyson envisions himself an everyday player

Jarrod Dyson, an everyday outfielder?

He can see himself in that role.

“When you come into the big leagues, every player wants to play every day,” Dyson said. “That’s their job. You’ve got to have that mind-set that you’re an everyday guy.”

Dyson has been an everyday player for a couple of weeks with regular right-fielder Nori Aoki slowed by a groin injury then placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Dyson is hitting .344 over his last nine games, and on Wednesday he knocked his first home run this season, a blast off the Dodgers’ Dan Haren to lead off the fifth inning. It was the fourth home run of Dyson’s career, ending a streak of 276 at-bats between shots, and heard in Dyson’s hometown of McComb, Miss.

“My mom jumped out of her seat when I hit it,” Dyson said.

Dyson has been playing center, which means Lorenzo Cain shifts to right with Alex Gordon anchored in left. This gives the Royals one of baseball best defensive outfields, one that has to cover plenty of acreage. Kauffman Stadium’s outfield is baseball’s largest in terms of square feet.

“I look at LoCain and Gordo as playmakers and I’m the go-getter,” said Dyson, whose defensive highlight this week was chasing down Yasiel Puig’s deep fly.

But Dyson insists he could play right, which hasn’t happened in a major-league career that started in 2010.

“I can play anywhere,” he said. “I don’t need practice. It’s no big deal to me.”

The Royals figure they’re better off with Cain in right, although that’s not a decision based on arm strength. Manager Ned Yost said Dyson has a better arm than Cain.

“They’re equally good in center, but Cain can play a good right as well,” Yost said. “Dyson’s best position is center field.”

If Dyson continues on this path, the Royals might have a decision to make when Aoki comes off the disabled list. Would Dyson continue to start?

“There’s potential there for that,” Yost said. “He’s got to be a guy who remains durable. There have been some injury problems in the past that have slowed him down a bit. He’s a guy who quite possibly can be an everyday guy.”

Rescheduled game

The Royals-Yankees game that was postponed on June 9, was rescheduled for Aug. 25, a Monday. The game will begin at 6:10 p.m. and will turn a home stand into 10 games with the Twins, Indians and Rangers following.

College days

It’s a Big 12 weekend at the K.

Saturday will be Iowa State Day, and former Cyclones punter Kirby Van Der Kamp is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

Sunday is Kansas State Day, and first-pitch honors will go to new women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie.

Foxworthy visit

Comedian and Ned Yost friend Jeff Foxworthy took in Friday’s game, and Foxworthy offered some discouraging news about his baseball career.

“I’m about to give up the dream of playing in the bigs,” Foxworthy said. “It may never happen. I’m 55. I have to be realistic.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2014 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Jarrod Dyson envisions himself an everyday player."