After earning a 4-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their Cactus League schedule with a matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields.
The Dodgers lineup features several regulars, including Gavin Lux, who is playing shortstop for the first time this spring. The 26-year-old has appeared in two Cactus League games so far, both as the designated hitter.
Lux made his 2024 debut last week at Peoria Sports Complex, which was the site of his torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during a 2023 Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres on Feb. 27.
“It just felt good to run around and be a baseball player again,” he said after the game. “Especially coming back here, where literally I blew it out. It was just fun to get some at-bats, feel normal again and do what you grew up doing.”
Now healthy again, Lux is slated to be the Dodgers’ starting shortstop this season. He has gotten off to a good start offensively, reaching base three times in his first six plate appearances.
Lux and the Dodgers will look to provide run support to Ryan Yarbrough, who is making his first appearance of the spring. The left-hander went 4-2 with a 4.89 ERA, 4.52 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 11 games (two starts) for L.A. after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals.
Although Yarbrough may ultimately settle into a relief role, he’s being stretched out as a starter this spring.
Gus Varland, Nabil Crismatt, Eduardo Salazar, Stephen Gonsalves and T.J. McFarland are also scheduled to pitch Monday.
The Rockies are countering with John Curtiss, who posted a 4.58 ERA, 4.83 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 15 games for the New York Mets last season.
Manuel Marogt was in the original Dodgers lineup before getting scratched late because of a trade with the Minnesota Twins. The Dodgers trading Margot paved the way to Kiké Hernández reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
C: Austin Barnes
SS: Gavin Lux
DH: Miguel Vargas
3B: Chris Owings
RF: Andy Pages
CF: Jose Ramos
Rockies lineup
RF: Charlie Blackmon
1B: Kris Bryant
LF: Nolan Jones
2B: Brendan Rodgers
3B: Ryan McMahon
DH: Elias Díaz
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
CF: Brenton Doyle
C: Braxton Fulford
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