Chase Utley back atop Dodgers lineup in opener with Blue Jays

Chase Utley returns to the starting lineup for the Dodgers, after not starting either of the two games against the Rays this week. Utley bats leadoff in the Dodgers' opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday night.

Utley is batting .286/.388/.440 on the season, and though he didn't start in Tampa Bay he did enter the game on Wednesday and played the final three innings, walking twice during the game.

Friday marks Utley's 20th start at second base in 29 games this season.

In 11 career games at Rogers Centre, Utley has hit .372/.460/.674 with three doubles, two triples and two home runs, though just 2-for-7 after 2011.

With a right-hander in Marcus Stroman on the mound for Toronto, the left-handed Corey Seager is back in the two-hole, Joc Pederson is back in center field and Carl Crawford starts in left field.

Crawford is batting ninth for just the third time since the start of the 2004 season. Crawford hit ninth for the Dodgers twice in 2014, on April 30 and May 1 in Minnesota against the Twins. Crawford batted ninth 33 times with the Rays in 2002-2003.

Howie Kendrick, who played second base, third base and left field on Wednesday, is the designated hitter on Friday in Toronto.

Jays roster move

The Blue Jays called up utility infielder Andy Burns from Triple-A Buffalo, and sent pitcher Ryan Tepera back to Triple-A before Friday night's game. That brings Toronto back to 12 pitchers and 13 position players heading into the weekend.

Roof status

Looks like the three-game series this weekend is all indoors.

.@RogersCentre has recently made significant upgrades to its roof’s operating system and equipment. (cont'd)

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 6, 2016

However, tests are still taking place and the roof will not be opened during the Blue Jays series this weekend.

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 6, 2016