Buehler pitches two scoreless innings, Betts gets his first hit.
GLENDALE, ARIZ. » In Zach McKinstry’s bid to make the Dodgers’ roster, he has a campaign manager if he needs one.
“McKinstry — that guy can flat out rake,” veteran outfielder A.J. Pollock said of the utility candidate.
“He’s just got a really, really advanced approach at the plate. I think his swing is definitely going to play in the big leagues because it’s compact. It’s consistent. He’s got a really, really calm demeanor. You don’t really see him getting too rattled, too up or down. He’s just super consistent. So I’m excited for him. He’s a good dude and his bat is definitely gonna play in the big leagues.”
A 33rd-round draft pick out of Central Michigan in 2016, McKinstry’s bat has definitely played as he climbed the minor league ladder. But it’s his glove — or more accurately gloves — that gives him an opportunity to make the Dodgers’ roster this spring.
Over four minor-league seasons, McKinstry has played six positions — all three outfield spots, shortstop, second and third base. The departure of Kiké Hernandez leaves an opening for that kind of versatility on the Dodgers’ bench.
“That’s the goal,” McKinstry said. “You see him leave. You’re kind of in that same role throughout the minor-league system. They just kind of bring you up that way. Definitely, those are the shoes I think I need to fill. I think I’m right there competing for that spot. It’s up for the taking.”
They are big shoes, however, and it might take more than one player to fill them. Chris Taylor returns as the established incumbent, able (like Hernandez) to fill the middle infield spots or play in the outfield. Sheldon Neuse (acquired from the Oakland Athletics) can fill in at second, first and third. Matt Beaty is an option at first base and the corner outfield spots and, like McKinstry, is a left-handed hitter.
Rather than a one-to-one replacement for Hernandez, the Dodgers could spread those responsibilities among more than one player.
“Kiké was a special player,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“He’s certainly a hard guy to replace because he could do so many things and understand the various roles that we had him in and certainly thrived. It’s a lot of the same pieces. But having a guy like Chris Taylor, as kind of a holdover is paramount. So it doesn’t necessarily need to be that same Kiké, exactly what he did.”
Alternate sites
According to an ESPN report, MLB has decided to push back the start of the Triple-A season until the beginning of May.
Teams will once again have a group of players working out at an alternate training site within easy reach of the bigleague home as they did during the 2020 season. Roberts said the Dodgers are considering both the Camelback Ranch and Rancho Cucamonga facilities as their alternate site.
Kershaw status
Left-hander Julio Urias is scheduled to start tonight’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. Urias follows right-handers Trevor Bauer and Walker Buehler as Dodgers starters to make their spring debuts.
Meanwhile, left-hander Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon and Roberts said he isn’t sure when Kershaw’s first Cactus League start will be.
“I don’t know if he’s going to face hitters again (in a live batting practice session) or if in three days he’ll be in a game. We’re still talking about that, making sure he feels good coming out of the ’pen,” Roberts said, deferring to pitching coach Mark Prior on the scheduling. “I expect to see him in a Cactus League game soon.”
Roberts called Kershaw’s spring “business as usual” and said the 32-year-old is in a “better” physical state than he was last spring.