Chase Utley starts at 3B as Dodgers rest heavy-legged Corey Seager
Dodgers infielder Chase Utley throws the ball to first base during a game against the Rockies on Sept. 15.
Justin Turner won’t start at third base for the Dodgers on Friday, but Corey Seager won’t, either.
Seager’s legs are feeling heavy and Manager Don Mattingly said he wanted to be cautious with his 21-year-old rookie, who has 631 plate appearances this season between the major and minor leagues.
“I’m going to need him to play short in this series,” Mattingly said, referring to how he plans to rest 36-year-old shortstop Jimmy Rollins at some point in the three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
Seager had started 16 consecutive games before Thursday, when he didn’t play in a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With Turner and Seager on the bench Friday, Chase Utley will start at third base.
Utley, 36, will be playing the position for only the second time in his major league career.
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