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Dodgers plan to open season with 11 pitchers, locking in Blake DeWitt at second and possibly opening spot for Nick Green

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The Dodgers are planning to start the season with only 11 pitchers on their roster, which would all but assure Blake DeWitt of being their starting second baseman and open up a position spot, possibly for infielder Nick Green.
‘I’d say if we go with an 11-pitcher scenario that Blake DeWitt’s chances are better,’ Manager Joe Torre said.

DeWitt has been one of the Dodgers’ leading hitters this spring, batting .367 with a .592 slugging percentage and a .456 on-base percentage.

Green, 31, was invited to camp as a non-roster infielder. He hit .236 in 276 at-bats for the Red Sox last season, with 35 runs and 35 RBI. Green, however, is hitting only .192 this spring.

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If knuckleballer Charlie Haeger captures the fifth spot in the rotation, the bullpen is looking like Jonathan Broxton, George Sherrill, Jeff Weaver, Ramon Troncoso, Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Monasterios.
‘I’ll let you know the fifth starter in L.A.’ Torre said. ‘It’s not because I’m unsure but because we’ve got work to do with the other guys.

‘We’re looking at 11 pitchers now to start. I think we’re still determining who the 11th will be. I think 12 will be the number for most of the year. We’re [only] going to need a fifth starter four times in April.’

-- Steve Dilbeck

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