GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t going to reach any sweeping generalizations about rookie center fielder Joc Pederson based on a couple of weeks of spring training, much less one game, but they were glad he got his spring off to a good start by going 2-for-2 in the Dodgers’ 6-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. It was the teams’ Cactus League opener.
Pederson, who figures to be the Dodgers’ Opening Day center fielder, bounced a single into right field and doubled off the base of the center-field wall.
“Obviously, it probably helps him if he gets a couple hits early so he can relax instead of starting out 0-for-15 or something,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.
Pederson was the Dodgers’ designated hitter for Wednesday’s game and he said he was “pacing around” in the dugout when the Dodgers were in the field. Pederson revealed that he has a Therapeutic Use Exemption from the league office for medication to treat attention-deficit disorder, which he said he has had since he was in junior high. A 2012 report found that nearly 10 percent of major leaguers have such exemptions.
Andre Ethier started in center field and had an Adam LaRoche line drive go off his glove for an RBI double after a long run. Ethier seemed to be limping a bit after falling down while trying to make the catch, but Mattingly said he appeared to be OK.
“As we get into spring, he catches that ball all day long,” Mattingly said.