In need of depth at second base last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for veteran Chase Utley. He manned the position until Howie Kendrick, who replaced Dee Gordon, returned from a hamstring strain.
Once that was the case, the Dodgers began to work on getting Utley acclimated to playing third base. Once the offseason rolled around, it appeared unlikely Kendrick or Utley would return with the Dodgers in 2016.
Kendrick declined the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer, and Utley, on the verge of turning 37 years old, didn’t fit with the organization’s vision of getting younger. However, Utley re-signed on a one-year contract, and Kendrick was later signed to a two-year deal after his market failed to develop.
Speaking prior to Spring Training, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated both players would see time at multiple positions this season. That was temporarily put on hold as Kendrick began the year on the disabled list with a strained calf.
When asked if he was concerned how playing time would be dispersed once a full complement of second basemen were available, Roberts explained why he isn’t worried, via ESPN’s Doug Padilla:
“I think it’s just a matter of I think you’ve got to give (Utley) a blow and get Howie in there and Howie will play some third,” Roberts said. “I think over the course of 162 games and beyond there are plenty of at-bats to go around. I don’t have the exact regimen or recipe, but it will work itself out for sure.”
Entering Tuesday, Utley has appeared in all seven games this season, making six starts (all at second base). What’s more, the veteran has been a spark for the Dodgers as he’s hit leadoff in each start.
While Kendrick and Utley are the primary options at second base, the Dodgers’ depth extends beyond them. Kiké Hernandez has experience at the position, and so too does Micah Johnson, who was with the club for a brief stint up from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
