Dodgers Lineup: Justin Turner Makes Spring Debut

Guess what day it is? Monday! What’s that mean? Justin Turner is back! Turner will be making his Spring Training debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And that’s not all. Oh no no, he’s also going to be playing third base. He’s feeling that good right now. That’s an awesome thing to see.

On the mound for the Dodgers today will be right-hander Mike Bolsinger. He’s slated to go about four innings or 60 pitches, and he’s also vying for that fifth spot in the rotation so this will be a pretty important day for him. Bolsinger has looked pretty solid thus far this spring.

ICYMI: Lessons Learned in Dodgers Spring Training Thus Far

From the Los Angeles Dodgers’ official Twitter account this morning:

Today's Dodger lineup:
Johnson 2B
Puig RF
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Barnes C
Guerrero DH
Thompson CF
Culberson SS
Noel LF
(Bolsinger P)

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 14, 2016

Leading off and playing second base will be Micah Johnson. He’s 7-for-23 this spring with two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Johnson has also played 54 innings in the field at second base thus far, and he has yet to make an error. Johnson is looking for an Opening Day roster spot.

Yasiel Puig will be batting second and playing right field. Puig is 4-for-14 with three runs batted in and a walk so far. He’s made one error in his 30 innings out in right field, as well. He’s hit the ball pretty well all spring despite not having better than solid results.

The big news is that Justin Turner will be batting third and also playing third today. The initial plan was for him to be the designated hitter, but he was feeling so good that he wants to give it a go at third base for his first game of the spring. And that’s what he’s going to do. Great to have him back.

Adrian Gonzalez will be playing first and batting cleanup. Gonzalez is just 2-for-13 with two runs scored this spring, but he did hit a home run and has two runs batted in. He’s still your ever-steady presence at first base, and the team will always be lucky to have him there for as long as possible.

Batting fifth and catching is Austin Barnes. He’s had a heck of a spring. Barnes is 7-for-18 with three home runs, five runs batted in, five walks, and a stolen base. He has a 1.411 OPS in the 18 at-bats, and Barnes has been damn good at the plate even when he doesn’t get a hit.

Alex Guerrero will be the designated hitter, and he will be batting sixth. Guerrero is just 3-for-6 this spring, but he does have a home run and a double. He still possesses the pop in his bat that makes him an attractive designated hitter option in these games, and as a pinch-hitter during the regular season.

Batting seventh and playing center will be Trayce Thompson. He’s received the most at-bats this spring (29), and he’s 6-for-29 at the plate. However, he does have a home run, a double, and a triple to his credit. Thompson has looked solid in the field as well, covering good ground and getting good jumps.

Charlie Culberson will be playing shortstop and batting eighth. He’s 7-for-21 with a home run, eight runs batted in, a double, and a triple. He’s also flashed a lot of nice leather out in the field whether at shortstop or third base. Culberson has been a do-it-all guy this spring, and he’s been fun.

Batting ninth and playing left field will be the speedy Rico Noel. He’s 4-for-13 this spring, but he does have a triple, a run batted in, and four stolen bases. His range in the outfield and speed on the bases is very evident, and he’s a candidate to make the roster as a pinch-runner late in the season.

On the bump today will be right-hander Mike Bolsinger. As noted earlier, he’s competing for the fifth spot in the rotation right now. In his 5 innings of work thus far this spring, Bolsinger has given up two earned runs, three hits, and two walks, but he does have four strikeouts. He’s looked solid so far.