The Los Angeles Dodgers have some issues to work out during spring training as Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has four options for three outfield spots and former National League MVP runner-up Matt Kemp isn’t prepared to sit on the bench.
“I’m not a fourth outfielder. We can cut that off right there,” Kemp said. “I won’t accept that role. I can’t accept that role.”
Kemp has been beset by injuries each of the past two seasons as he has missed 145 games since hitting .324 with 39 home runs, 126 rbi, 115 runs and 40 stolen bases when he flirted with the triple crown.
The trade for Carl Crawford and the arrival of Yasiel Puig helped to make up for the absence of Kemp in the middle of the Dodger’s lineup, and with Kemp expected to miss the first past of April as he recovers from an October ankle surgery, he will be behind the others which also includes Andre Ethier.
Trade rumors will continue to swirl around Kemp who the Dodgers entertained trading this offseason, but with that out of his control, all he can focus on is getting healthy and earning a spot in the lineup.
“The [general manager], his job is to do what he does and I’m going to do what I do. My job is to help the team win,” Kemp said. “We’ve all got decisions to make and responsibilities. I’m sure it’ll all, you know, come out the way it’s supposed to come out, but I can’t worry about things I can’t control.”