The Los Angeles Dodgers’ depth and versatility has helped them offset multiple injuries to outfielders this season. Trayce Thompson began the year largely in a platoon with Joc Pederson in center field before earning his stripes in left.
Thompson then slid over to right field when Yasiel Puig was forced to the disabled list due to a left hamstring strain. Puig was activated from the DL on Tuesday, and has started both of the games he’s been active for.
Thompson, on the other hand, got Tuesday off and returned to the lineup in the series finale against the Washington Nationals. While the Dodgers are bullish on the young outfielder, there isn’t a question as to who the regular starter is in one corner spot.
“I think [Puig] will take the majority of time in right field,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week. “Trayce will mix in there, and also Trayce will play left field with Howie (Kendrick). Then, Howie will also mix in at second and third base.”
Entering Friday, Thompson has played 27 games (21 starts) in right field, 22 (13 starts) in left and 18 (14 starts) in center. While Thompson went through a hot stretch and still leads the Dodgers in several offensive categories, he’s batting .147/.261/.265 over his past 10 games.
What’s more, he’s hitting .214/.313/.429 over 21 games this month. Thompson’s cooling off and Kendrick’s improvement at the plate may lend to the scale titling in the veteran’s favor. Though, Roberts maintains he’s mindful of utilizing the full breadth of his roster.
“We have a long way to go and like I’ve talked about, I need to continue to use the whole roster,” Roberts said. “There are only three (outfield) spots and I know I have to get guys in there.”
What should work in Kendrick’s and Thompson’s favor in the immediate future is the Dodgers are currently slated to face at least two left-handed starters during their four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh has yet to name a starting pitcher for Sunday’s game.
