When is a road trip not a road trip?
If you were a major-league baseball player in 2020, any series of away games had to feel different. Players, coaches and other members of every team’s traveling party were instructed to “avoid leaving the club hotel for non-essential purposes” under last season’s COVID-19 protocols.
This year, that rule was relaxed.
Saturday was a clear, sunny and warm day in Denver. Dodgers catcher Will Smith didn’t take it for granted.
“Denver’s a nice city. It’s always nice to get out and walk around here,” he said. “Just to get out of your room, get a little sunshine in, I think that’ll help a lot this year.
“Once the majority of players are vaccinated and all that happens, I think the rules will relax a little more and it’ll be nice to somewhat get back to normal.”
Two weeks after COVID-19 vaccinations are complete for 85% of a team’s “Tier 1 individuals” – which includes players, coaches, and others in a team’s traveling party – other health and safety protocols in MLB’s 2021 Operations Manual will be relaxed. The Dodgers haven’t gotten there yet.
In the meantime, allowing players, coaches and staff to venture out of the team hotel remains the biggest change in protocols since 2020.
Manager Dave Roberts said he hasn’t taken advantage yet – he’s a room service guy for now – but “for our players and staff to be able to walk, to outdoor dine, to get a cup of coffee if you feel, to get back into your road routine is a nice change compared to last year.”
CATCHING CAROUSEL
Austin Barnes drew the catching assignment for Walker Buehler’s 2021 debut Saturday. Smith will catch Julio Urías on Sunday, then Dustin May on Monday in Oakland, and Trevor Bauer on Wednesday. Barnes is next scheduled to catch Clayton Kershaw in Tuesday’s game against the A’s.
Beyond that, Roberts said he has not mapped out the playing time for his two catchers. The Dodgers have a day off Thursday before the Washington Nationals visit Dodger Stadium.
“I’ll re-evaluate after the off day,” Roberts said.
Thursday’s regular season opener marked the 16th consecutive game – regular season and playoffs included – in which Barnes has been the starting catcher for Kershaw. The streak will reach 17 on Tuesday.
ALSO
Justin Turner and Mookie Betts were held out of the starting lineup Saturday. Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger will each get a day off Sunday, Roberts said, part of the plan to rest each starting position player during a stretch of seven games in seven days to begin the season. …
Kenley Jansen has had issues adapting to the altitude in Denver in the past. However, Roberts said that was not a factor in his decision not to use Jansen in either of the Dodgers’ first two games of the series. …
The starting pitchers were announced for the three-game series in Oakland: May will oppose former Dodger Frankie Montas on Monday, Kershaw will face right-hander Chris Bassitt on Tuesday, and Bauer will be opposed by left-hander Jesus Luzardo on Wednesday. …
The Dodgers announced all three games of the season-opening series against the Nationals have sold out.
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