dailyloe.com – Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a lineup change ahead of Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals. Outfielder Alex Call will enter the starting lineup, marking his likely season debut. This move forces a decision on which regular player will be benched.
All indications point to veteran Teoscar Hernandez being the odd man out. The 33-year-old is struggling offensively during the team’s early-season slump. Hernandez has just five singles in 21 at-bats through six games.
His current on-base plus slugging percentage stands at a low .476. This is a concerning start for a two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger award winner. The Dodgers’ high-powered offense has scored only seven runs across their last three games.
Hernandez is in the second year of a three-year, $66 million contract. He entered the regular season with momentum from a strong spring training performance. However, that success has not translated to the official games yet.
Manager Dave Roberts announced the move to reporters on Friday. The information was reported by Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. Alex Call is not typically a regular member of the starting nine.
Giving Hernandez a day off could provide a mental reset. His performance at the bottom of the batting order is crucial for lineup balance. Many analysts predicted the Dodgers would possess baseball’s best offense this season.[]
Source: Yahoo Sports
