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LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers outfield shuffle has led to a few rarities in their series finale against the Nationals on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Carl Crawford, who has been starting basically once per series since his return from the disabled list, gets the start in left field on Wednesday night against right-hander Jordan Zimmermann of the Nationals, and Crawford is batting leadoff for the first time this season.
He batted leadoff seven times in 2014, and 85 times in 2013.
The leadoff spot was vacant because Jimmy Rollins is getting a day off on Wednesday, with Kike Hernandez getting the call at shortstop.
Yasiel Puig is back in the lineup after homering and hitting a triple on Tuesday en route to driving in five runs. That means Andre Ethier sits in the outfield rotation this time around, which has been rare against right-handed pitching.
Ethier started 80 of the previous 86 games against right-handed pitchers, including all 17 such games since the All-Star break.
Even with the Wednesday start, this is Crawford's sixth start in 20 games since getting activated from the disabled list..
"We want to use all of our guys, but for the most part it's Andre, Joc and Yasiel. Carl will be the guy who is getting a start per series. I don't know if it will always be that way," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're trying to keep everybody healthy and keep everybody sharp, but the main thing is we're trying to win a game."
Jose Peraza gets the call at second base for the second time in three days in the majors.
Game info
Time: 7:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA