After getting back in the win column on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch for their first matchup of the spring against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Michael Grove makes his second start of Cactus League play and looks to improve on his 2023 debut against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed one run on a solo shot by Rowdy Tellez and collected one strikeout in one inning of work.
Grove made his MLB debut last season and compiled a 1-0 record, 4.60 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 29.1 innings pitched (seven games, six starts). While in the Minors, he pitched to a combined 3.79 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 19 games (17 starts) with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Diamondbacks counter with Ryne Nelson, who also makes his second appearance of the spring and looks to bounce back from a rough outing against the Colorado Rockies.
The right-hander allowed four runs on four hits and walked two in his only inning on the mound. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut last season and impressed to the tune of a 1.47 ERA, 3.77 FIP and 0.82 WHIP in 18.1 innings pitched (three starts).
Nelson faces a Dodgers lineup that includes regulars Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas and Miguel Vargas. Heyward again is playing in back-to-back games and is coming off hitting his first home run of Spring Training.
Meanwhile, Rojas is back at shortstop, where he will get the majority of starts this season in the wake of Gavin Lux tearing the ACL in his right knee.
Rojas withdrew from playing for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic to prepare for the everyday role with the Dodgers.
David Peralta is batting leadoff against his former Diamondbacks team, and enters play with just two walks over eight plate appearances this spring.
Dodgers lineup
LF: David Peralta
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
C: Austin Barnes
CF: Jason Heyward
SS: Miguel Rojas
RF: James Outman
2B: Miguel Vargas
Diamondbacks lineup
LF: Corbin Carroll
CF: Alek Thomas
RF: Jake McCarthy
3B: Emmanuel Rivera
1B: Pavin Smith
DH: Phillip Evans
SS: Geraldo Perdomo
2B: Buddy Kennedy
C: Jose Herrera
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