Scott Boehm/Getty Images(GLENDALE, Ariz.) — Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has faith in new shortstop Jimmy Rollins and said Wednesday that he’ll probably bat leadoff to start the year.
“That’s the one guy we are pretty sure about, Jimmy is that leadoff guy,” Mattingly said. “We don’t truly have anyone else that fits in that role.”
The 36-year-old veteran has started 1,456 major-league games as a leadoff hitter, which is the most among any active player.
Rollins came over to Los Angeles in a trade after spending 15 seasons with the Phillies.
“To be back there, as of now, you feel like you’re that fire-starter again, like you’ll be that spark-plug that gets things going,” Rollins said Tuesday.
Rollins had a storied career in Philadelphia, winning the National League MVP in 2007 and helping the team win the World Series in 2008. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in hits, at-bats and doubles.
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