Fresh off their 10th win of the spring and second in the past there days over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch to face the Cincinnati Reds, who recently learned Anthony DeSclafani is shut down four weeks due to a UCL sprain.
With the Dodgers making a recent change to their rotation, Rich Hill makes his start one day later than previously scheduled as Kenta Maeda now splits up left-handers Clayton Kershaw and Hill. After throwing two scoreless innings in his Spring Training debut, Hill permitted a combined seven runs on four hits and six walks over 3.0 innings pitched in two starts.
He failed to make it out of the second in either of the two outings. Hill proved to be a crucial and necessary midseason acquisition last year, earning a three-year contract in the offseason. While some question the 37-year-old’s durability, his filthy combination of fastball-curveball consistently leaves hitters off balance.
Like Kershaw did on Sunday, Hill will bat for himself for the first time this spring. Luis Avilan, Josh Fields and Kenley Jansen are among the Dodgers relievers expected to see action against the Reds.
Tim Adleman makes his fourth start on Tuesday. He’s coming off his worst outing of the spring when he allowed five runs on three hits and walked four in just 1.1 innings pitched. Adleman made his Major League debut last season, pitching to a 4-4 record, 4.00 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He held the Dodgers scoreless over five innings to earn a win last August.
The Dodgers made their first round of Spring Training roster cuts on Monday, sending five players to Minor League camp. Meanwhile, Corey Seager, who has been battling a back injury, isn’t expected to play this week because of the oblique issue.
Chris Taylor earns another start at shortstop, while the Dodgers outfield consists of Franklin Gutierrez, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig, from left to right field.
The Dodgers face two former prospects who once were part of the organization in Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler. Peraza is hitting .344/.344/.781 with four RBI and three stolen bases in 32 at-bats. Schebler has one home run and five RBI in 25 at-bats.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Logan Forsythe
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Granda
LF: Franklin Gutierrez
1B: Scott Van Slyke
SS: Chris Taylor
3B: Darnell Sweeney
P: Rich Hill
Reds lineup:
2B: Jose Peraza
LF: Tony Renda
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Patrick Kivlehan
SS: Zack Cozart
RF: Scott Schebler
CF: Desmond Jennings
C: Tucker Barnhart
P: Tim Adleman
