GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chris Taylor helped his chances at becoming the Seattle Mariners’ starting shortstop with a home run and triple Friday in a 7-4 loss to a Los Angeles Dodgers split squad.
Taylor is competing for the job with Brad Miller.
Taylor, who made his major league debut last July, tripled off Dodgers starter David Huff and later homered.
“I just have to stay aggressive and continue to stick with what’s working,” Taylor said.
Howie Kendrick doubled in the second off Seattle starter Erasmo Ramirez and later scored.
Nonroster first baseman O’Koyea Dickson hit his second homer in four at-bats for the Dodgers.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he is impressed with Dickson’s power and thinks he has a chance to contend for the job as the backup to starter Adrian Gonzalez.
“The ball really comes off his bat,” Mattingly said. “But power is power. What we want to see is some versatility in the infield.”
“He’s one of the young guys on this roster who makes these games fun to watch, especially in the late innings. You want to see these guys push the envelope a little bit and create some competition,” he said.
STANDING IN
Zack Greinke threw to live hitters for the first time Friday, making 36 pitches on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. Greinke, who had a lubricating injection into his right elbow about two weeks ago, reported no problems. He is scheduled to make his first start on March 11 against the Cubs.
“I’m just building up arm strength and trying to get comfortable with hitters in the box,” he said.
Greinke, the Dodgers’ No. 2 starter, faced nine batters.
“I wasn’t great, but they’re not in midseason form either, so you don’t get a 100 percent accurate read,” Greinke said. “But it’s better than facing nothing. It’s just about working on pitches now. Then, you try to get more outs later on.”
STARTING TIME
Mariners: Pitcher Edgar Olmos is back on the roster. The Rangers had claimed Olmos on Feb. 24 after the Mariners waived him. However, Major League Baseball voided the claim because of an injury to his left shoulder. Olmos went 3-3 with three saves and a 4.06 ERA in Double-A and Triple-A last season. He took infielder Ji-Man Choi’s spot on the 40-man roster.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: LHP James Paxton worked through his first bullpen session Friday morning. Paxton hurt both forearms in a fall in agility drills early in camp. He threw 30 pitches without any pain. Over 13 starts last season, he was 6-4 with a 3.04 ERA.
UP NEXT
Mariners: Hisahi Iwakuma, 15-9 with a 3.16 ERA last year, gets the start Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Peoria, Ariz.
Dodgers: Mike Bolsinger gets his first start this spring Saturday against Cleveland. He was 1-6 with a 5.50 ERA for the Diamondbacks last year.
