LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers’ stable of capable outfielders is large enough to make Cody Bellinger’s spot in the lineup appear shaky.
Bellinger failed to collect a hit in his four plate appearances Sunday against the San Diego Padres. He’s riding an 0-for-11 slump dating to Aug. 29.
But Bellinger drew three walks in Sunday’s series finale, including one against Mike Clevinger with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. For now the plan with Bellinger seems to involve using his plate discipline to “move the chains” ― turning the lineup over with a quality at-bat ― while he figures out how to catch up to the fastballs that have eluded his bat most of the season.
“Tonight the plate discipline was really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Earning three walks was great. I think the next layer is, when you do get pitches in the zone, you’ve got to finish the at-bat. That’s something we’re going to keep working on, because he did get some pitches he should hit.”
Trayce Thompson, Joey Gallo and Chris Taylor have all played at least a capable center field at times during their careers. Given the positional versatility on their roster, the Dodgers could shuffle Bellinger to the bench in favor of any of the
But the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player has more plate appearances this season than all but four of his teammates. And Roberts shows no sign of giving up on the struggling center fielder, citing his effort behind the scenes to turn his season around.
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“You see a ball and you’re expecting (Bellinger) to square it up,” Roberts said. “It could be a mechanical thing, it could be a mind thing, could be a body thing. … It’s a combination of things.
FOR STARTERS
The Dodgers used an “opener” for the first time this season when Caleb Ferguson took the ball in the first inning against the Padres before giving way to Ryan Pepiot.
The move was ostensibly designed to protect the right-handed throwing Pepiot (who’s better against right-handed hitters) from left-handed hitting slugger Juan Soto (who’s better against right-handed pitchers). Ferguson, a lefty, had allowed five hits to left-handed hitters all season entering Sunday. He struck out the side in order in his only inning against San Diego.
The Dodgers have been much quicker to use openers in years past, but Roberts said a rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney and Dustin May doesn’t leave room for the strategy.
“We have a lot of neutral(-splits) guys, as far as the starters this year,” Roberts said.
PRICE AILING
To make room for Pepiot on the 28-man roster, the Dodgers placed left-hander David Price on the injured list with left wrist inflammation.
The veteran pitcher expressed certainty that he would return before the end of the regular season, and Roberts predicted Price would be back in “mid-September” ― a reflection of the minimum 15-day IL stint.
“I do commend David for grinding though not being healthy all year, never complaining about it,” Roberts said.
ALSO
Mookie Betts will start at second base on Monday against the Giants, Roberts said. … Tony Gonsolin will resume his throwing program Monday, two days after an MRI on his right elbow cleared him of any serious injury.
UP NEXT
San Francisco (RHP Logan Webb, 11-8, 2.89 ERA) vs. Dodgers (LHP Andrew Heaney 2-1, 2.12 ERA), Monday, 7 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM