The Los Angeles Dodgers are back at Salt River Fields for a second time in the past four days, but Thursday brings about a meeting with the Arizona Diamondbacks. L.A. previously blew out the Colorado Rockies earlier in the week.
Their matchup with the Diamondbacks is noteworthy in that David Price makes his first start of the spring. Overall, it will be the left-hander’s third Cactus League appearance of the year. Price thus far has thrown four scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Despite the most recent of those two relief appearances being three innings in length, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that is how long Price is scheduled to pitch in his start rather than stretch out to four innings.
He nonetheless is on a starter’s routine and buildup as the Dodgers continue to evaluate their options for the Opening Day rotation. During the offseason Price conveyed to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman that he is willing to accept a role in the bullpen if that is what’s best for the team.
Garrett Cleavinger and Dennis Santana are also scheduled to pitch. Michael Grove, Bobby Miller and Gus Varland additionally will travel with the team and be available out of the bullpen.
The Diamondbacks counter with Merrill Kelly, who is working his way back from missing most of last season due to a right shoulder nerve impingement. The injury limited Kelly to just five starts in 2020, and he enjoyed success by going 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA.
However, Kelly has been hit around a bit in his two Cactus League starts thus far. After allowing two runs over two innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, Kelly gave up three runs (two earned) to the Chicago Cubs in three innings.
L.A. previously defeated Arizona, 3-2, at Camelback Ranch on March 10. That game was shortened to eight innings, and Thursday’s affair is expected to be seven frames.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: AJ Pollock
2B: Gavin Lux
P: David Price
Diamondbacks lineup
LF: David Peralta
SS: Nick Ahmed
1B: Asdrubal Cabrera
3B: Eduardo Escobar
C: Stephen Vogt
2B: Josh Rojas
CF: Trayce Thompson
RF: Pavin Smith
P: Merrill Kelly
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