Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Questions Mount About Alexander Guerrero’s Readiness

Alexander Guerrero With pitchers and catchers set to report to Camelback Ranch in 10 days, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Alexander Guerrero is already getting in work at the Spring Training complex. Guerrero is there so early due to the lack of reps he got at second base, an entirely new position for him, during winter ball since he was hampered with a hamstring injury.

New to second base, the 27-year-old infielder grew up playing shortstop, but is slated to be an above-average offensive player. However, with a thin crop of backup infielders, the Dodgers continue to try and persuade free agent Michael Young to come back and provide some insurnace. According to Mark Saxson of ESPNLA.com, second base is a huge question mark heading into the spring:



They signed Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero to be the team’s everyday second baseman, but the team has enough doubts about his ability to field the position steadily that it now says that will be an open competition this spring.

The losses of Mark Ellis, Skip Schumaker, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Nick Punto highlight the overhaul of the Dodgers infield which is a reason Chone Figgins was signed to a minor league deal. Infielders in the system Miguel Rojas, Dee Gordon and Justin Sellers will also compete for a shot to possibly start at second base.

Meanwhile, Young is waffling between returning or retiring to spend more time with his family as he’d enter his 15th season in the big leagues. If he doesn’t return, the Dodgers could sign another free agent or go with a combination of the players already in camp.

Just three weeks ago at the Dodgers Winter Development Camp, GM Ned Colletti said Guerrero was “leading the pack” to start at second base on Opening Day. Guerrero is working with former Dodgers infielder Luis Vizcaino to try and expedite the learning process of learning an entirely new position.

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Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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