LOS ANGELES -- James Farmer was in the Major Leagues for six weeks last year and started one game. On Sunday night, he started for the second time in four games, and manager Dave Roberts indicated there are more starts to come.
"To have him on the roster and not play him doesn't make a whole lot of sense," said Roberts. "He'll get some starts and see how he responds."
Farmer made the club, and is getting starts at third base, because Justin Turner is on the disabled list with a fractured wrist. Supposedly a third catcher, Farmer, in fact, is a converted shortstop who said he feels at home at third base, as he showed making two tough defensive plays Saturday night.
Farmer impressed the staff with an offseason conditioning and stretching program that made his hips more flexible and allowed him to better frame low pitches when he caught. After Turner was injured, Roberts initially said John Forsythe would play third base with Chase Utley and Enrique Hernandez sharing second base. Farmer is forcing his way into the mix.
"This gives us a little opportunity to get his bat in there when we want to give Logan a blow," said Roberts. "His body is more limber. He's a strong kid. The mobility with the hips this past winter helped on both sides of the ball. He allows us to free up a catcher, that's a luxury. We'll get a good look at Kyle."