TOKYO — The Dodgers had few questions to resolve during their spring runup to the Tokyo Series.
The decision that Hyeseong Kim was not ready for major-league pitching and would start the season in Triple-A actually created two – how would the Dodgers divide playing time at second base and in center field?
Tommy Edman got the start at second base in the opener against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome with Andy Pages in center field.
“I think it’s just going to remain fluid,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that’s a position where we have different players that can play second base, can play center field. So it’s not going to be one certain situation, versus left, versus right.
“I think just kind of rotating Tommy, Kiké (Hernandez), MIggy Ro at second base, Tommy in center field, Andy in center field – so it’s going to kind of remain fluid. I think each of those guys is going to play between three and call it five days (a week) – outside of Tommy who’s going to be essentially an everyday guy.”
Edman is a switch-hitter. All of the other options Roberts mentioned – Hernandez, Rojas and Pages – are right-handed hitters. Pages, in particular, had drastic splits as a rookie and could be a regular fixture against left-handed pitchers like Cubs starters Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. Pages hit .357 with a .917 OPS against lefties last year, just .213 with a .647 OPS against right-handers – though 10 of his 13 home runs came against righties.
“Andy has been kind of answering the bell every time he’s been with the team the last couple years, I think, starting in spring training last year when he made a pretty good impression,” Rojas said. “He didn’t stop there. He continues to grow with the help of the coaches. And Teoscar Hernández has been great for him and a huge part of his career.
“I think he’s going to take advantage of not just this opportunity but the opportunity to be on a winning team. Especially what he did last year during the NLCS against the Mets (two home runs in Game 5), it was pretty impressive. Now I’m pretty sure he has the confidence to be with the club the whole year and he deserves every opportunity he’s been getting.”
James Outman, a left-handed hitter, made the season-opening roster in Tokyo and could be another centerfield option.
BETTS RETURNS HOME
Mookie Betts returned to the United States Monday and was resting back in California while the team plays the Cubs.
“It made the most sense for him to get back to a regular routine,” Roberts said.
Betts has been ill for the past week and lost “close to 15 pounds,” according to Roberts, leaving him weak. The Dodgers are optimistic Betts will be ready to play when they open at home on March 27.
Betts remains on the active roster for the Tokyo Series games. The Dodgers had already used their three roster exemptions on starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Dustin May and didn’t put Betts on the Injured List (which would have impacted his availability for the home opener).
Rojas started at shortstop in place of Betts in the first game and will be there again in the second game against the Cubs.
“It’s been kind of like this for the last couple years,” Rojas said of stepping back in at shortstop. “When I got acquired by the Dodgers in 2023, I was supposed to be the utility guy. I just want to be the best in my role, which is, defensively, the security of having a shortstop first in the club that can help in any capacity to play different positions. But I’m a shortstop. I’ve always said it. I need to prepare myself to play 162 games at short, so I can be at my best. And this is what I’m going to do now.
“I’m just gonna lock it down for the team, while Mookie’s resting and getting better from the illness. And hopefully we can get him back when we have Opening Day in LA.”
ROSTER SET
The Dodgers set their 26-man roster for the Tokyo Series on Tuesday, officially adding non-roster players Roki Sasaki and Luis Garcia. Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove were placed on the 60-day IL to clear roster spots for them.
Sasaki is scheduled to make his MLB debut and start the second game against the Cubs.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Roki Sasaki, MLB debut) vs. Cubs (LHP Justin Steele, 5-5, 3.07 ERA in 2024), 3:10 a.m. PT, FS1, SportsNet LA, 570 AM