A compressed offseason gave way to Cactus League play on Friday as the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. The lineup included regulars such as, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Corey Seager.
It was their first opportunity to log live at-bats in what’s expected to be a relatively light spring. Because the Dodgers played into November last year, manager Dave Roberts said he intends to scale back the workload for several veterans and expected starters.
That in some part was evident with Friday’s starting pitcher, as Wilmer Font received the nod. He threw two perfect innings, and was provided a lead in the bottom of the first inning.
With two outs and nobody on base, Turner was given the green light in a 2-0 count, resulting in a home run to left field, via MLB:
New year, same @redturn2. 💪#SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/y1UM1c2wXy
— MLB (@MLB) February 23, 2018
Turner is coming off arguably the best season of his career. Appearing in 130 games, he batted .322/.415/.530 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs and 71 RBI. Turner was in contention for the National League batting title, which Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon eventually won.
In four seasons with the Dodgers, Turner has hit .303/.378/.502 with 113 doubles, 71 home runs and 264 RBI in 516 games.
