Terrance Gore could be used as bench weapon until Jarrod Dyson is healthy, Ned Yost says

For the past two seasons, Royals outfielder Terrance Gore has become a familiar staple in September and October. On Friday, Royals manager Ned Yost indicated that he might unleash the base-running prowess of Gore as early as opening day.

“A definite possibility,” Yost said.

In specific, Yost views Gore as an intriguing bench option while outfielder Jarrod Dyson recovers from a strained oblique. The Royals have at least one open spot remaining on their bench, and Yost likens Gore’s speed and base-stealing ability to having a big bat off the bench.

“You like to have a guy that you can come off the bench with a bat and win a ballgame for you,” Yost said. “(When you’re) in a tie game or you’re down one, and you want that big bat off the bench, well, Gore, with his legs, it’s like having a big bat come off the bench. You can pinch run, he can steal second. He can score on any base hit. He can steal third. He can score on a sacrifice fly.”

The makeup of the Royals’ bench has come into clearer focus in recent days. Yost said Friday that outfielder Reymond Fuentes is still competing with Paulo Orlando for the starting job in right field, an admission that suggests Fuentes is a safe bet to make the 25-man roster. Infielder Christian Colon projects as the club’s backup infielder, while catcher Drew Butera is expected to back up Salvador Perez. If the Royals carry 12 pitchers, that leaves one bench spot.

Utilityman Whit Merrifield has drawn plaudits for his versatility. He can play all four infield spots and all three outfield spots. He would fit nicely as a club’s 25th man. But Merrifield is not a member of the Royals’ 40-man roster, meaning his addition would require a corresponding roster move.

No such problem exists with Gore, who was added to the 40-man roster in 2014, in preparation for that season’s postseason run.

“He’s a valuable guy until Dyson gets back,” Yost said.

In 2015, Gore opened the season on the 25-man roster. He didn’t appear in a game before being sent down in mid-April. The Royals cited the need to get more versatile.

On a major-league roster, Gore’s value is solely tied to his speed. In two September cameos, he is a perfect eight for eight on stolen-base attempts. He has tacked on another four stolen bases in the postseason. His only caught stealing came on a controversial instant-replay decision in Game 4 of the ALDS last October. Gore popped off the bag after sliding in safely. He was ruled out after a lengthy review.

[ A focus on bunting helped Terrance Gore become a better hitter ]

In most years, Yost is cautious and reticent when utilizing his bench. He rarely pinch hits. His backup catchers can go weeks without seeing much action. He does, however, like the option of high-end speed off the bench. With Dyson out until at least mid-April, that takes him out of the equation. In the short term, Yost says, Gore could be a suitable replacement.

“Even when Dyson isn’t playing, he’s a threat off the bench,” Yost said. “They don’t want to see Dyson coming in the game. They don’t want to see Gore coming in the game. They know that both of those guys can steal a base when everybody in the world knows you’re trying to steal a base. There’s very few guys that can do that.”

Royals outfielder Terrance Gore makes impressive jump during at an off-season workout facility 

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Terrance Gore could be used as bench weapon until Jarrod Dyson is healthy, Ned Yost says."