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The Dodgers added outfielder Luke Raley as the 27th player on the roster for the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, giving them — GASP! — more active position players than pitchers for just the second game all season.
The only other time the Dodgers had more position players than pitchers was April 27 against the Reds, when Victor Gonzalez and Mitch White went on the COVID-19-related injured list, leaving the Dodgers with 12 pitchers for a game.
For Game 2, the count on the Dodgers’ active roster is 13 pitchers and 14 position players.
Adding Raley gives the Dodgers another left-hander off the bench to go with Matt Beaty and switch-hitter Keibert Ruiz, plus right-handers Sheldon Neuse, Austin Barnes, and Justin Turner, the latter getting a rest after playing Game 1 and starting the last seven games.
Dodgers-Cubs Game 2 lineups
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | Cubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | Cubs |
| RF | Betts | LF | Pederson (L) |
| SS | Seager (L) | CF | Bryant |
| CF | Taylor | 1B | Rizzo (L) |
| C | Smith | 3B | Bote |
| 1B | Muncy (L) | RF | Heyward (L) |
| LF | Pollock | 2B | Vargas (S) |
| 3B | Rios (L) | SS | Sogard (L) |
| 2B | Lux (L) | C | Wolters (L) |
| P | Bauer | P | Thompson |
Turner sitting opens a spot in the lineup for Edwin Ríos, who grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the first game of the doubleheader and is hitless in his last 29 at-bats, dating back to April 13. This is just the second start in the last 13 games for Ríos, who the Dodgers are trying to ignite similar to Beaty.
Beaty got his regular at-bats with a week at the alternate site, which isn’t an option now with minor league seasons starting this week, including Triple-A Oklahoma City beginning Thursday. Since returning, Beaty has started five times and done nothing but produce, going 9-for-17 with a home run, four walks, and a hit by pitch, batting .529/.652/.706. Beaty’s driven in 11 runs during that span, including seven on Sunday. But in three Dodgers lineup cards since then — including Monday’s lineup for a game that ended up getting washed out by rain — Beaty’s name has been absent.
A left-handed batter is in left field for one of these teams, however, as Joc Pederson starts for the Cubs, batting leadoff against his former team.
Passing the test
Brusdar Graterol, who was placed on the injured list Thursday with right forearm tightness, had an MRI exam Tuesday morning in Chicago, and results showed no structural damage. But the timetable for his return remains unclear.
“I don’t know when he’ll pick up a baseball and play catch, but we just want to make sure the soreness dissipates,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The findings — or lack thereof — was good news.”
Cubs roster moves
Before the doubleheader the Cubs made a series of roster moves, placing pitchers Jake Arrieta (right thumb abrasion) and Dan Winkler (biceps tendinitis), and infielder Nico Hoerner (left forearm strain) on the 10-day injured list. Chicago recalled left-hander Kyle Ryan, right-hander Keegan Thompson, and infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A Iowa.
Thompson will start the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, with Adbert Alzolay moved to Wednesday to start in place of Arrieta.
Doubleheader Game 2 info
- Teams: Dodgers at Cubs
- Location: Wrigley Field
- Time: 4:40 p.m. PT
- TV: SportsNet LA