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Josh Fields has opened some eyes this spring thanks to his hot start. The non-roster invitee, formerly a top prospect in the Chicago White Sox system, has seven hits in 12 at-bats this spring, with two doubles and a triple so far this spring.
Manager Don Mattingly isn't close to knowing who the favorite is for the final open bench spot, but said Fields is definitely someone to watch. "He has had success in the big leagues. You know he's not going to be overwhelmed by the situation. He's swinging the bat good," Mattingly said.
Fields hit .244/.308/.480 with 23 home runs in 100 games for Chicago in 2007, but has bounced around between the majors, minors, and even Japan ever since. Mattingly said Fields, primarily a third baseman throughout his career, looks comfortable to him at first base, where Fields is starting today.
But most of all Fields will have to hit to make the roster.
"I saw him in Chicago and I thought he got a little pull happy," said Mattingly. "He's a middle of the field guy with power, but not necessarily a pull home run guy."
Including today, Fields will have played in seven of nine games so far this spring.
Today's Game
The Dodgers are in Tempe on Monday afternoon to face Albert Pujols and the Angels. Aaron Harang gets the start for the Dodgers, his second outing of the spring.
Scheduled to follow Harang on the mound for the Dodgers are Chris Withrow, Wil Ledezma, Angel Guzman, Ryan Tucker, and Scott Rice. Logan Bawcom is also here from the minor league side, wearing number 91.
Jered Weaver gets the start for the Halos, and is scheduled to be followed by Kevin Jepsen, Michael Kohn, Matt Shoemaker, and Hisanori Takahashi.
Starting Lineups
Andre Ethier, who missed Saturday's game in Peoria with a stiff back and had a scheduled day off on Sunday, was originally scheduled to be the designated hitter today, but his back felt good this morning so he was switched to right field.
| Dodgers | Angels | |||
| SS | Gordon | SS | Aybar | |
| 2B | Kennedy |
2B | Kendrick | |
| CF | Kemp | 1B | Pujols | |
| RF | Ethier |
RF | Hunter | |
| LF | Rivera | LF | Wells | |
| 3B | Hairston | DH | Abreu | |
| RF | Sullivan |
3B | Trumbo | |
| C | Ellis | C | Iannetta | |
| 1B | Fields |
CF | Bourjos | |
Game Time: 1:05 p.m
TV: Fox Sports West (Angels broadcast)
Radio: AM 570 (Charley Steiner, Rick Monday)