The Los Angeles Dodgers see the return of Kiké Hernandez from the World Baseball Classic, and Adrian Gonzalez who missed a brief stretch after aggravating his elbow, in a matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch.
After a dominant win behind their ace, the Dodgers turn to a 23-year-old prospect to continue their march towards opening day. Trevor Oaks make his second start of the spring against Andrew Chafin.
After a breakout campaign in 2016, Oaks has only improved his stock within the organization this spring. Making his first start against Japan, Oaks held the team undefeated in WBC play scoreless for three innings. Oaks hasn’t allowed an earned run in 10.2 innings across four games.
While Oaks isn’t competing for a Major League rotation spot, he’s definitely establishing himself as an option in the Minors. Oaks should start the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City and will definitely receive consideration should injuries strike the Dodgers.
Josh Fields, Steve Geltz, Adam Liberatore and Yaisel Sierra are scheduled to pitch in relief. After allowing at least one run in his first five appearances this spring, Fields has thrown a combined 2.1 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit over his past two games.
Chafin has also pitched well this spring. The 26-year-old southpaw has surrendered just two earned runs in seven appearances (7.2 innings). Chafin made 32 relief appearances last year for the D-Backs, posting a 6.75 ERA in 22.2 innings and mostly having success against the Dodgers.
After starting at third base on Thursday, Logan Forsythe returns to his more familiar position. The 30-year-old is batting .424/.472/.515 with three doubles and five RBI in 12 Cactus League games.
Paul Goldschmidt appears in his first game with the Diamondbacks since winning the WBC title with Team USA. Goldschmidt has six hits, including a home run, and six RBI in 15 at-bats this spring. He went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI against the Dodgers earlier this month.
The Dodgers lost their only other meeting with the Diamondbacks this spring, 13-5, in a split-squad game at Salt River Fields on March 3.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Yasmani Grandal
3B: Justin Turner
DH: Franklin Gutierrez
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Yasiel Puig
CF: Trayce Thompson
LF: Scott Van Slyke
SS: Kiké Hernandez
Diamondbacks lineup:
CF: A.J. Pollock
SS: Ketel Marte
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
C: Chris Herrmann
RF: Connor Owings
LF: Reymond Fuentes
3B: Kristopher Negrón
DH: Nick Ahmed
2B: Sergio Alcantara
