Dodgers take advantage of big lead in NL West by resting players

DENVER — With the Dodgers holding a 12 1/2-game lead in the National League West, Manager Don Mattingly will take the next two days to offer his players some extra rest.

Mattingly drew up a lineup card Tuesday that didn’t include right fielder Yasiel Puig, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, catcher A.J. Ellis or third baseman Juan Uribe.

Puig was held out for precautionary reasons, as he is dealing with stiffness at the top of his right calf muscle. Uribe is 0 for 15 lifetime against Colorado Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin.

Skip Schumaker will start in right field, Nick Punto at shorstop, Tim Federowicz at catcher and Michael Young at third base.

Mattingly also plans to rest players in the series finale Wednesday. With the Dodgers facing a left-hander, Jorge De La Rosa, Mattingly said he would sit the left-handed-hitting Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford.

Mattingly said he might also rest Adrian Gonzalez, even though Gonzalez hits left-handers well.

The Dodgers have a day off Thursday.