Dodgers might move Howie Kendrick around the infield
Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick fields a ground ball against during the first inning of a game against the Padres on Oct. 3.
The re-signing of Howie Kendrick added yet another name to the Dodgers’ stacked depth chart at second base. Manager Dave Roberts suggested one possible solution Saturday for the logjam: Kendrick could also play some third base, joining an infield rotation that includes Justin Turner, Chase Utley and Enrique Hernandez.
“We’re definitely going to dice it up,” Roberts said during the team’s FanFest at Dodger Stadium. “Howie is definitely open to playing some third, playing some second. We might move him around a little bit. The guys are open to it.”
The Dodgers signed Kendrick to a two-year, $20-million contract Friday, pouncing on him after making contingency plans for his exit. The club had already brought back Utley on a one-year, $7-million deal.
Utley did not express anguish about the vanishing of his playing time.
“I think there’s still going to be some opportunities to play,” he said. “And that’s really all I ask for, the opportunity to have a chance to compete, and help this team win.”
Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, declined to discuss the Kendrick signing at length, as Kendrick has yet to pass his physical. But he sounded confident about his team’s depth.
“We feel like we have a lot of at-bats to go around,” Friedman said. “And a lot of really talented players that we want to make sure stay fresh, get a lot of at-bats and remain a part of the fabric of our team.”
Scully’s last game
Vin Scully said Saturday he hopes to end his Hall of Fame career as the voice of the Dodgers by calling a game against the rival Giants — in San Francisco.
The Dodgers conclude the regular season at AT&T Park on Sunday, Oct. 2. Scully grew up in New York, where the Giants and Dodgers both played before moving to California in 1958.
Scully, 88, joined the Dodgers’ broadcast team in 1950. In his 67th and final season, he said, he does not plan to travel outside California but hopes to call at least one road game in Anaheim, San Diego and San Francisco.
Scully also said he would consider calling games on radio if the Dodgers make the playoffs. The Oct. 2 game would be his last on television, as national broadcast outlets hold exclusive rights to postseason games.
On the mend
Both Turner and catcher Yasmani Grandal required off-season surgery. Both sounded optimistic about their rehabilitation, and both insisted they expected to be ready for opening day.
Grandal began swinging from both sides of the plate two weeks ago after undergoing a procedure to repair a damaged joint in his left shoulder in October.
“It’s been great,” he said. “Trying to get my upper body in shape now. Arm feels great. Shoulder feels great.”
Turner needed microfracture surgery in November to fix his left knee. He started running drills this week.
“It’s been kind of slow, but the good thing is that every day has been a baby step forward,” Turner said. “I haven’t had to take any steps back yet.”
Follow Andy McCullough on Twitter @McCulloughTimes
Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.