Fresh off snapping a two-game losing streak in Cactus League play, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. The game is scheduled to go nine innings, which will mark just a second time this spring the Dodgers have gone the distance.
Jimmy Nelson takes the mound for his second start, which carries a bit more significance now that it became public David Price is open to a potential move to the bullpen. That would free up a spot in the starting rotation, which Nelson already was a candidate to make.
Of course, the odds may be against the right-hander. The Dodgers could very well decide to keep Price in the rotation, but even if he is converted to reliever, Nelson would face competition in Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Julio Urias.
Nelson is looking to bounce back from a missed year due to back surgery. He’s feeling healthy and excited to contribute for the Dodgers in any capacity.
Josiah Gray, Ryan Pepiot, Landon Knack, Corey Knebel and Scott Alexander are among those scheduled to pitch at some point after Nelson.
The Reds counter with Sonny Gray, who allowed a solo home run over two innings in his spring debut. Gray effectively relied on his breaking ball in the outing, as the homer was the lone hit allowed. Gray is entering his fourth season with the Reds.
Tuesday marks the second meeting between the Dodgers and Reds this spring. They previously played to a 4-4 tie in a seven-inning game at Camelback Ranch. Cincinnati pulled even by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.
Chris Taylor is making another start in center field and batting leadoff. Justin Turner also is in the lineup, playing a fourth game in the past five days.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Chris Taylor
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: AJ Pollock
RF: Matt Beaty
DH: Luke Raley
SS: Omar Estevez
Reds lineup
LF: Shogo Akiyama
2B: Mike Moustakas
RF: Nick Castellanos
3B: Eugenio Suárez
C: Tuker Barnhart
SS: Dee Strange-Gordon
1B: Nicky Delmonico
DH: Kyle Holder
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