Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he could take a page out of former skipper Tony La Russa's playbook and use shortstop Dee Gordon as the No. 9 hitter once Mark Ellis returns from the disabled list, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Gordon has spent the past two games in the two-spot, which is Ellis' usual position with Carl Crawford at leadoff.
Mattingly said the move would be spearheaded by his preference to alternate between left-handed and right-handed batters at the top of the lineup. Gordon recorded his fourth steal in eight games Sunday against the Marlins.