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Dodgers News: Chase Utley To Play Some First Base During Spring Training, Regular Season

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports

Several Los Angeles Dodgers position players have arrived at Camelback Ranch ahead of Monday’s report date, and included in that group is Adrian Gonzalez. However, the veteran first baseman revealed he’s suffering from tennis elbow (right) and is shut down for two weeks.

The elbow inflammation has already shelved Gonzalez for more than a week. Gonzalez has previously battled neck trouble and a pinched nerve in his back. Any time Gonzalez misses figures to give the Dodgers an extended look at top prospect Cody Bellinger and backup outfielder Scott Van Slyke.

Though, the club also intends to play Chase Utley at first base throughout Spring Training, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:

In addition, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Utley will see time at first base during the regular season as well, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

Utley played six games, including three starts, at first base during the 2015 season. The bulk of his minimal experience at the position came during 2004 season when the Phillies used Utley at first base in 13 games (11 starts).

What may aid the veteran is the time that was spent reacquainting himself with third base, at the Dodgers’ instruction in 2015. Though, it only amounted to Utley playing three games at the hot corner, and one last season. He’d last played the position as a Minor Leaguer in 2002.

Although the Dodgers are better suited to find a right-handed complement to Gonzalez, Utley becoming comfortable with playing first base will provide Roberts with additional flexibility.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com