Hanley Ramirez starts at DH in Dodgers opener in KC

KANSAS CITY --  The Dodgers begin their three-game set against the Royals with Hanley Ramirez at designated hitter on Monday night in the opener at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

It is the 11th career start at DH for Ramirez, and fourth as a Dodger. In his previous 10 starts at DH, Ramirez has hit .333/.395/.513. In three DH starts with the Dodgers, Ramirez is 7-for-12 (.583) with two doubles, a home run and three walks.

Manager Don Mattingly said on Sunday he plans to use the designated hitter spot during this series to give a day off to Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig.

Dodgers designated hitters this season (which to date consists of three games in Minnesota) are 5-for-13 (.385) with three doubles and three walks.

Carlos Triunfel, who is 2-for-2 with a home run in limited duty, makes his first start at shortstop as a Dodger, batting ninth. Triunfel has played in four games as a late-inning replacement on defense at shortstop for Ramirez, totaling 7⅓ innings.

Miguel Rojas starts at third base, batting eighth.