March 31--Highlights of the Dodgers' 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Camelback Ranch:
Cleveland 4, Dodgers 3
AT THE PLATE: Charlie Culberson, a shortstop who will travel with the Dodgers to Los Angeles for the Freeway Series, opened the scoring with a single that brought home A.J. Ellis. Trayce Thompson hit a solo home run off Indians reliever Ross Detwiler in the eighth inning.
Culberson provided another run-scoring single in the ninth. He is being kept around as infield insurance as Corey Seager recovers from a sprained left knee.
ON THE MOUND: The Dodgers departed Camelback Ranch without naming a fifth starter.
"It's still an open question in my mind," Manager Dave Roberts said.
The team is still deciding among Carlos Frias, Zach Lee and Ross Stripling. Frias, the most experienced of the three, gave up four runs (one unearned) in 3 2/3 innings. Frias struggled with pitch command early on, which he attributed to operating out of a hole on the mound created by Clayton Kershaw and Cleveland starter Corey Kluber, who preceded him in the game. Kershaw limited the Indians to two hits in three innings.
Asked if he felt ready for the season, he replied, "I don't know. We'll find out." He finished the Cactus League with a 1.96 earned-run average.
EXTRA BASES: Howie Kendrick (calf tightness) was still not cleared to take the field and remains likely to start the season on the disabled list.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) will remain in Phoenix for extended spring training. The Dodgers hope he could begin facing hitters during live batting practice next week. Ryu could be ready to pitch in the majors by June, but his rehabilitation has proceeded by fits and starts.
UP NEXT: Angels on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. On the air: Prime Ticket, SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 830, 1020.
