Yasiel Puig makes 1st start in center field in Dodgers opener vs. Rockies

The Dodgers return home after a highly successful 7-2 road trip and will face the Rockies for four games beginning on Thursday night. The starting lineup for the opener features a new wrinkle, as Yasiel Puig will make his first major league start in center field.

Puig did play two innings in center field on June 9, the final two innings of a blowout loss to Atlanta. But he has made 33 of his 34 starts in right field, with one start in left field.

The Dodgers against left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz for the Rockies will deploy an all right-handed hitting outfield, giving both Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier a day of rest after Wednesday night's 14-inning win in Arizona followed by a flight home. Scott Van Slyke starts in right field, and Jerry Hairston starts in left field.

Another person getting a day off is A.J. Ellis, who drive in the tying run in the ninth inning on Wednesday night and homered in the 14th inning to extend the Dodgers' lead to 7-5. After catching all 14 innings on Wednesday, Ellis will sit on Thursday in favor of Tim Federowicz, who played his first two major league innings at first base in the series finale in Phoenix.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday