Coming off their win against their stadium-mates Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers now play host to Team Japan ahead of Japan’s quest for another World Baseball Classic crown. They went 6-0 during the first two rounds of pool play in Tokyo.
Although Rich Hill was initially scheduled to start in the exhibition game, the Dodgers are instead handing the ball to Trevor Oaks. Hill nonetheless is keeping active on Sunday by pitching in a game on the Minor League side of Camelback Ranch.
Oaks enjoyed a meteoric rise up the Minor League chain last season after beginning the year with High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He quickly outpitched the competition and was moved up to Double-A Tulsa after just four starts.
Following 10 starts and a 2.14 ERA with the Drillers, Oaks earned another promotion, this time to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He sported a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts with OKC before a groin injury prematurely ended his season.
So far this spring, Oaks has been used solely in relief and has allowed just one unearned run in 7.2 innings. The big right-hander will celebrate his 24th birthday in exactly one week.
Andre Ethier’s first start since suffering from hip tightness and back spasms was a rousing success as the veteran outfielder went 2-for-2 with an RBI double. Ethier once again is in the lineup, starting in left field and batting leadoff.
He has six hits in 12 at-bats this spring, with one double, one home run, two RBI and six walks. Also faring well in Cactus League play is Chris Taylor, who starts at shortstop. Taylor, vying for the final spot on the Dodgers bench, is batting .464/.595/.607 with two doubles, one triple and two RBI.
Rob Segedin, who owns a 1.618 on-base plus slugging percentage in limited time due to his stint with Team Italy in the WBC, starts at third base. Ike Davis is the Dodgers’ designated hitter, in his first action since also returning from the WBC.
The Dodgers face Shota Takeda, who is a lifetime 42-22 with a 2.79 ERA in five seasons pitching in Japan. Takeda allowed one run on four hits and had three strikeouts in three innings of work in his lone WBC start.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Andre Ethier
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Franklin Gutierrez
3B: Rob Segedin
DH: Ike Davis
CF: Brett Eibner
SS: Chris Taylor
