At the time of Hanley Ramirez's injury earlier this month, shortstop Justin Sellers was not considered a candidate to take over the starting job and wasn't even in the team's big-league camp. But an impressive final week of the spring has seemingly altered manager Don Mattingly's thinking as Sellers claimed a spot on the roster and is expected to serve as the Dodgers' starting shortstop on opening day.
Although the 27-year-old produced a lowly .214 batting average and .290 on-base percentage, Mattingly has been impressed with Sellers' defense. Luis Cruz, the presumed starting shortstop in Ramirez's absence, is slated to start at third base.