Nick Punto scratched, Dee Gordon starts at SS for Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Nick Punto was scratched from Friday night's starting lineup with a right in-grown toenail. Dee Gordon will start in his place at shortstop, batting eighth for the Dodgers as they host the Rockies for the first of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.

Before the game Gordon took ground balls at second base, where he played 20 games in Triple-A Albuquerque and three more with the Dodgers this season. But the positional flexibility won't be much of a factor in Gordon making the NLDS roster.

"I don't think Dee playing second base is part of the equation," Mattingly said. "I think the value of Dee is to use him late to steal a bag in a close game."

Gordon is 5-for-12 (.417) with one walk since his recall from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sept. 1 and he has been successful in all four stolen base attempts this month. Mattingly said if Gordon were to make the postseason roster, Gordon likely wouldn't play second base unless it was "one of those weird games" that either had several substitutions or went extra-innings, or both.

Punto wasn't the only scratch, either. Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood was originally scheduled to start on Sunday but was scratched with right elbow stiffness, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Colorado has not yet named a starter for Sunday.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday