After three straight road games, the Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch today for a home game against the Seattle Mariners. Relief pitcher extraordinaire Hong-Chih Kuo is set to make his spring debut today, as he is scheduled to pitch behind starter Jon Garland, who is making his second Cactus League start. Kuo, who has a long history of arm trouble, has been on a throwing program designed specifically for him this spring. Last year, Kuo pitched all of two innings in the spring and began the season on the disabled list with a sore left elbow.
James Loney is also returning to the Dodgers today. Loney complained of stiffness in his left knee over the weekend, and had an MRI to determine the damage. The results showed nothing serious, other than a swollen left knee, and after four games missed the first baseman returns today. The Dodgers for the first time this spring are fielding all eight position players from their projected opening day lineup, with the added wrinkle of Matt Kemp at DH today and Tony Gwynn in center field, batting ninth.
Doug Fister gets the start for the Mariners. Here are today's lineups:
Mariners
Ichiro RF
Figgins 3B
Gutierrez CF
Cust DH
Kennedy 1B
Jack Wilson 2B
Saunders LF
Bard C
Josh Wilson SS
Dodgers
Furcal SS
Blake 3B
Ethier RF
Kemp DH
Loney 1B
Uribe 2B
Gibbons LF
Barajas C
Gwynn CF
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