Dodgers hope Chase Utley can continue to provide pop from the top of the lineup
The Dodgers allocated $7 million of their budget for the 2016 season as a bet on the upside of Chase Utley. He hit .202 with the team last season, but the front office of Andrew Friedman believed Utley, a six-time All-Star, could maintain a level of effectiveness, especially against right-handed pitchers.
Utley’s performance on opening day hinted at what the Dodgers hope he can bring. He recorded three hits from the leadoff spot, which led to an inevitable question to Manager Dave Roberts: How often do you intend to play Utley?
“He’ll be the first to say that he doesn’t expect to play 140 games,” Roberts said before Tuesday’s game against the Padres, when Utley led off again. “For me, it’s my job to figure out when to give him a blow and when we don’t.”
Roberts suggested Utley could appear in as many as 130 games this season. Then, he added, “Don’t hold me to that.”
It will be interesting to see how Roberts handles the load between Utley and Howie Kendrick when Kendrick returns from the disabled list. Roberts has said he hopes Kendrick (calf tightness) will be ready by next Tuesday’s home opener. But Kendrick still hasx not been cleared to play defense as he rehabilitates at Camelback Ranch.
Utley is unlikely to see much time against left-handed pitchers, with either Kendrick or Enrique Hernandez capable of taking those at-bats.
Catching rotation takes shape
Austin Barnes replaced A.J. Ellis behind the plate Tuesday to catch Scott Kazmir. Roberts suggested Ellis, a 34-year-old veteran, and Barnes, a 26-year-old rookie, will rotate on an almost daily basis until Yasmani Grandal (forearm strain) returns from the disabled list. The Dodgers hope Grandal is ready by the home opener.
Until then, Ellis is set to catch Kenta Maeda’s debut Wednesday. Barnes will handle Alex Wood on Thursday in San Francisco. Ellis caught a bullpen session from rookie Ross Stripling, who starts on Friday night at AT&T Park.
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
