A.J. Ellis, Trayce Thompson do early damage in Dodgers’ 8-3 win over Athletics

Highlights from the Dodgers’ 8-3 victory over the Athletics:

AT THE PLATE: Catcher A.J. Ellis followed three Rich Hill walks in the first inning with a three-run double to left field, and his third-inning double to right scored Scott Van Slyke, who had tripled to left-center. Trayce Thompson, competing for a reserve outfield spot, lined a two-run homer to left in the first and Rico Noel tripled and scored on Carl Crawford’s sacrifice fly in the second.

ON THE MOUND: The Dodgers got a scare when Coco Crisp hit a first-inning liner off the glove of starter Kenta Maeda, who knocked the ball down and got the out at first. “That was a close call,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “I heard leather, so that was good, but it squared him up in the palm. I saw him grimace, but he seemed OK.” Top prospect Jose DeLeon was roughed up for two runs and four hits, including Danny Valencia’s solo homer and Khris Davis’ double, in two innings. Yimi Garcia gave up a hit in a scoreless fourth and left-hander Adam Liberatore gave up a solo homer to left-handed-hitting Bruce Maxwell in the fifth.

EXTRA BASES: Zach Lee will start against the Angels on Friday, when top prospect Julio Urias, 19, is scheduled for two innings. … Third baseman Justin Turner, recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, could start playing in games as a designated hitter next week. … Though the Dodgers have two days off in the first two weeks of the regular season, allowing them to skip a starter, Roberts said he would “absolutely” open with a five-man rotation, with several pitchers possibly rotating through the fifth spot. “That’s definitely an option,” he said. “We’ll look at the opponent and what gives us the best chance to win that day.”

UP NEXT: Angels on Friday, noon PST at Camelback Ranch. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 570.