Kiké Hernandez, SS
Howie Kendrick, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Chase Utley, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Austin Barnes, 2B
(Kenta Maeda, P)
By Jon Weisman
Howie Kendrick is starting today for the Dodgers, but their second baseman is Austin Barnes.
Kendrick, who has been nursing groin tenderness, is making his third Cactus League appearance and first since March 5. He will be the designated hitter, while the Dodgers further test out No. 3 catcher Barnes as a multi-position option.
It’s no secret that Barnes has potential to help the Dodgers at second and third base as well as catcher. Last year, he became the 11th player to play all three positions in his Dodger career.
Only Derrel Thomas, who caught five games as a Dodger, and Lew Ritter have played at least five games at all three positions, so Barnes could break new ground in 2016 if he gets the opportunity.
By the way, one of the 11 Dodgers to have played second base, third base and catcher is 100-year-old Mike Sandlock, who is currently the oldest living former MLB player.
gerryprice
Ritter also played three games at first base in ’05; career ran ’02-08.
oldbrooklynfan
I think it would be very interesting for the Dodgers to have a catcher who can play 2nd and 3rd base. I know it’s been done before but not recently.
Stanley Moskowitz
mgt has made many mistakes DO NOT make another serious blunder and send Barnes back 2 the minors….if u do you’ll pay the price later in the season.
Mark Hagerstrom
OKC is not Siberia and it’s only 2 1/2 hr flight back to LA.