The Los Angeles Dodgers return from their first off day of Spring Training to face the Kansas City Royals under the lights at Camelback Ranch. The Dodgers are 4-0-1 in their last five games and are coming off a win over the Cleveland Indians.
Their lineup for the road matchup at Goodyear Ballpark did not include Mookie Betts, who originally had been penciled in to start in right field and bat leadoff. Betts being scratched raised some concerns, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts eased those.
“Nothing up with Mookie,” he said. “We talked later in the morning and just felt it would be best for him to stay at the facility to work on some things. He’ll be back in there on Sunday.”
Betts quietly is batting .357/.500/.429 with one double and three walks through eight Cactus League games thus far. He largely has been overshadowed by Corey Seager, who recently had a streak of three consecutive games with a home run.
“It’s status quo. Looks strong,” Roberts said of Betts. “It’s always a thing early in spring where you’re trying to make sure your mechanics and swing is right. In the outfield, body, everything is good so far.”
The Dodgers will look to provide run support for Julio Urias, who makes his third Cactus League start. Urias is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA through two outings. He went three scoreless and efficient innings against the Chicago White Sox the last time out.
Urias originally was only scheduled to go two innings, but the team asked if he wanted to remain in the game for a third due to an extremely low pitch count.
Jimmy Nelson, Kenley Jansen, Victor Gonzalez and Blake Treinen are also due to appear in what’s expected to be a nine-inning game. It will mark the third game but first relief appearance of the spring for Nelson.
The Royals counter with Brady Singer in what’s his second start of the spring. The right-hander struggled with command in his 2021 debut, hitting two batters and issuing two walks. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last year and went 4-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 12 starts.
Sunday is the last of two meetings between the Dodgers and Royals this spring. L.A. won the previous matchup 7-5 at Surprise Stadium.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
2B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Chris Taylor
DH: Matt Beaty
2B: Gavin Lux
Royals lineup
RF: Bobby Witt Jr.
SS: Adalberto Mondesi
1B: Carlos Santana
RF: Jorge Soler
DH: Ryan McBroom
3B: Kelvin Gutierrez
CF: Bubba Starling
C: Cam Gallagher
LF: Erick Mejia
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