Dodgers' Matt Kemp: 'I’m not a fourth outfielder'

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp has only played in 179 games in the past two seasons. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a problem that most teams would love to have: more than enough talented outfielders.

But centerfielder Matt Kemp, who is still working his way back from ankle surgery and hasn't been cleared to start running, made it clear that he wants to start.

“I’m not a fourth outfielder. We can cut that question off right now," Kemp said via the Los Angeles Times. "That’s the last question you have to ask me. I’m not a fourth outfielder. I’m not going to be a fourth outfielder. I’m here to help my team win and play every day. We can stop right there.”

The team currently has Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford as other outfielders on the roster. Kemp only played in 73 games last season and hit .270 with six home runs and 33 RBIs.

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“When it’s time for me to come back, I’m going to come back and be the same player I’ve been in previous years when I was healthy," he said.

“I don’t know where you get this fourth outfielder talk from, man. You all love talking about four outfielders, man. That’s like the question of the day every day. I think all four of us outfielders feel the same way. None of us are fourth outfielders. Everybody wants to play every day. I won’t accept that role. I can’t accept that role.”