The Los Angeles Dodgers solved their crowded left field dilemma by ultimately including Matt Kemp and Joc Pederson on the Opening Day roster, while optioning Andrew Toles to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designating Trayce Thompson for assignment.
Through two regular season games against the San Francisco Giants, Kemp was penciled in as the starting left fielder on both occasions. This, against left-hander Ty Blach on Opening Day and a right-hander in Johnny Cueto in the ensuing matchup.
Pederson had been on the short-end of the stick in terms of playing time, but was summoned for a pinch-hit appearance both games. He was 0-for-2 in both at-bats.
Despite not seeing much action in the early going, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave Pederson a vote of confidence and hinted he would likely start in the four-game series finale and perhaps the following night as well, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Roberts indicated Pederson would start on Sunday against another Giants right-hander, Chris Stratton. He was debating whether to start Pederson on Monday against Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker.
“Just because he’s not starting doesn’t mean he’s not going to be in there,” Roberts said. “With Joc, obviously I trust the defense,” Roberts said. “And the at-bat quality we’ve seen I think is better than the numbers show.”
He did, in fact, get that first start on Sunday night against the Giants, going 0-for-4 although he drove in a run.
Though he emerged as one of the Dodgers’ most reliable bats in the 2017 World Series, Pederson regressed and struggled for much of Spring Training.
Kemp, on the other hand, excelled at the plate and forced his way into the Dodgers’ plans after being reacquired from the Atlanta Braves during an offseason trade.
Although Pederson got the nod for the Opening Day roster, if he’s to struggle and Toles shines with Oklahoma City, the two could conceivably swap places. Pederson was sent down to OKC last season when he was mired in a slump.
In 2017, Pederson batted .214/.340/.429 with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 31 RBI, a .333 wOBA and 107 wRC+ in 268 plate appearances against right-handed pitching.
