After settling for ties or taking a loss in their first five games, the Los Angeles Dodgers were finally able to notch a win against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Now L.A. faces divisional rival Colorado Rockies for the first time in 2022 Spring Training.
The Dodgers turn to Tony Gonsolin to make his first start of the year while resting some of their key position players. Mookie Betts was expected to make his 2022 debut on Wednesday, but that continues to be delayed because of a stomach illness.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had suggested Betts would play against the Rockies at Salt River Fields. There doesn’t appear to be much concern, as Betts was taking live at-bats on the backfields Thursday morning.
Gonsolin made 15 appearances (13 starts) for the Dodgers last year, pitching to a 3.23 ERA. He is looking to break camp as a member of the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation and help address question marks surrounding their staff.
Tyler Anderson, Caleb Ferguson, Alex Vesia, Garrett Cleavinger and Reyes Moronta are also scheduled to appear.
Hanser Alberto and Kevin Pillar, both of whom are newly-signed, make their Dodgers debuts with starts at third base and right field, respectively.
On the Rockies side, they turn to former Dodgers farmhand Zach Neal on the mound. Neal has not pitched in the Majors since 2018 when he threw a single inning for the Dodgers. Neal was traded to the Dodgers in the same deal that brought Dylan Floro to Los Angeles.
The Rockies have experienced a lot of roster turnover recently with the departures of prominent stars Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. They did just sign Kris Bryant to a massive seven-year, $182 million contract, likely to finish out his career in Colorado.
The Rockies have also experienced a bit of a youth infusion with Brendan Rodgers and Ryan McMahon chiefly among those making an impact.
The Rockies have a lot of position battles to sort out in camp and things became even more complicated after they traded Raimel Tapia to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Randal Grichuk.
Notable names who are getting the day off include the aforementioned McMahon, Charlie Blackmon, and CJ Cron.
The Cactus League matchup represents the first time the Dodgers see Bryant after facing him in the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Chris Taylor
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Kevin Pillar
C: Austin Barnes
3B: Hanser Alberto
DH: Edwin Rios
Rockies lineup
CF: Garrett Hampson
SS: Jose Iglesias
LF: Kris Bryant
2B: Brendan Rodgers
C: Elias Diaz
RF: Sam Hilliard
3B: Alan Trejo
1B: Michael Toglia
DH: Bret Boswell
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