Royals outfielder Alex Rios placed on 15-day disabled list with broken hand

The Kansas City Royals have placed outfielder Alex Rios on the 15-day disabled list with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his left hand, the team announced today. There is no timetable for his return.

While the team did not announce a timetable for Rios' return, Alex Rodriguez missed six weeks of action when he fractured his fifth metacarpal in 2012.

This is the second hand injury in as many years for Rios, who missed time in 2014 with a bruised right thumb while with the Rangers. Rios signed a one-year, $11 million contract with Kansas City in December.

Rios was off to a hot start in 2015, hitting .321/.345/.464 in his first seven games with a double and home run in 28 at bats.

What the Royals will do now

Rios' absence will likely press speedster Jarrod Dyson into action every day. The 30-year-old stole 36 bases, being caught just seven times, while hitting .269/.324/.327 in 290 plate appearances over 120 games in 2014. Dyson has 120 stolen bases in his six-year career, having been caught a scant 20 times.

In addition to his speed, Dyson brings a top-notch glove to the table, often used as a defensive sub for Norichika Aoki in Kansas City's run to the pennant last season. Dyson's inclusion should improve the Royals' outfield defense significantly, as Rios is no longer a plus defender at age 33.

Internal options show Royals have depth

Rios' injury could also mean more playing time for rookie outfielder Paulo Orlando. The Brazilian became the first player in major league history to have his first three career hits be triples on Sunday.

The likely call-up in Rios' place for the Royals is 24-year-old Reymond Fuentes, who is the only outfielder on the at Triple-A Omaha that is on Kansas City's 40-man roster. Fuentes did see some time in the majors in 2013 with San Diego, going 5-for-33 with three stolen bases.

Update:

Terrance Gore apparently was pulled from the Royals AA game today. He is on the 40-man roster. Shrug.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) April 14, 2015

Oh.