Dodgers: Who Plays Second and Third if Forsythe Goes on the DL?

The Dodgers knew it would be tough to fill in for Justin Turner.  Now the Dodgers may need to find a way to piece together an infield without Turner and Logan Forsythe.

As if the struggling Dodgers needed any more obstacles thrown in their path, the club may need to find a way to replace Logan Forsythe if he goes on the disabled list.  With Justin Turner already out with a broken wrist, Forsythe left Saturday night’s game with a sore throwing shoulder and underwent an MRI.  The Dodgers should have more clarity on his potential injury on Sunday.

The Dodgers had been starting Forsythe at third base for the injured Turner, with a combination of Kiké Hernandez and Chase Utley at second base.  Now the Dodgers need to find a way to hold down second and third base.  Kiké has been getting more starts against right-handed pitchers, but the Dodgers need to stop starting him against right-handed starting pitchers.  For his career, Hernandez has hit .207 off right-handers which is not very good.  If they want to start Kiké at second or third against lefties, then that’s fine but he should ride the bench against righties.

One option the Dodgers could and should go with is playing Austin Barnes at second base, and Kyle Farmer at third base.  Last season Barnes hit .321 against right-handed pitching and he has proven he has the ability to play second base.  He could still play catcher on days that Yasmani Grandal needs a breather, but it doesn’t make sense to let a good bat like Barnes rot on the bench and start someone like Kiké Hernandez who has proven he cannot hit righties.

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Kyle Farmer has not had a ton of big league at-bats, but he has hit .350 against right-handed pitching in his very small sample size of 20 at-bats against righties as a big leaguer.  While it’s a small sample size, the Dodgers are better off rolling the dice with Farmer at third against righties.  Farmer has shown he can play third base defensively, and he has also had a knack for coming up clutch, especially against the Giants.  The Dodgers offense needs someone who can come through in the clutch so maybe that is Farmer.

The Dodgers could then start Kiké at second or third base when a southpaw is on the mound with Farmer at third base.  The Dodgers will most likely give Chase Utley some starts at second base with Forsythe out but let’s face it, father time is undefeated and Utley doesn’t have the ability to start many games anymore.  He is better off being utilized as a pinch-hitter off the bench.

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The Dodgers will find out more on Logan Forsythe Sunday, but there is a strong likelihood that a stint on the DL is coming.  Another infielder is going to be called up if a stint on the DL happens, my guess is that Rob Segedin gets the call.  Breyvic Valera is another possible option, who was acquired in an Easter day trade.  Hopefully, Dave Roberts makes the right call and starts Farmer at third base and Barnes at second base when there is right-hander on the mound.