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As the Los Angeles Dodgers head to Australia for their Opening Series against the Diamondbacks, it appears that their Opening Day roster is set. The team purchased the contracts of infielders Justin Turner and Chone Figgins on Sunday, adding them both to the 40-man roster after they signed minor league contracts this winter.
Turner, who was non-tendered by the Mets in December, was known to have a good chance at making the Dodgers' roster when he signed a minor league deal in early February. He will make $1MM as a result of making the team, and will likely serve as a utility infielder after hitting .355 in 16 spring training games.
Figgins, who sat out last season after getting cut during spring training with the Marlins, was a longshot to make the Dodgers' roster when he signed a minor league deal in January. The 36-year old former All-Star hit only .167 in Cactus League play this spring, but manager Don Mattingly raved about his versatility and athleticism (via Mark Saxon of ESPNLA.com):
"His at-bats have been the kind of at-bats we like. He’s shown that he can play everywhere on the field, so there’s definitely a value there," Mattingly said. "We still feel like the body’s live. He’s moving good, he’s running good, he’s had no issues. We like what we’ve seen and we do feel like the at-bats will get better and better."
With Turner and Figgins on the roster, the Dodgers will head to Australia with eight infielders. Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe are locks to start at their respective positions, while Turner and Figgins will likely see some starts at second base.
#Dodgers Infielders: Chone Figgins @AdrianTitan23 @FlashGJr Alex Guerrero @HanleyRamirez Miguel Rojas @redturn2 Juan Uribe
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 17, 2014
To make room on the 40-man roster for the pair of infielders, the Dodgers placed LHP Onelki Garcia on the 60-day disabled list and designated RHP Javy Guerra for assignment. Guerra has appeared in the majors for the Dodgers in each of the last three seasons and could get claimed by another team looking for relief help.