Ethier odd man out in Dodgers' outfield

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Dodgers' new starting outfield alignment means a greater reduction in playing time for Andre Ethier than Scott Van Slyke, manager Don Mattingly indicated Sunday.

Two games into the change, Mattingly likes Yasiel Puig in center field, Matt Kemp in right and Carl Crawford in left.

He said Van Slyke "will play against lefties somewhere, however that works out," because Van Slyke can take over for left-handed hitters Crawford in left or Adrian Gonzalez at first base.

Ethier, at this point, isn't even in a platoon.

"He'll play all over because he can play all three [outfield spots]," Mattingly said. "He's been good coming off the bench. He'll be playing a lot."

Mattingly said he's not concerned that unhappiness over playing time will get in the way of team goals.

"It hasn't been a problem," he said.

Although Kemp never wanted to be taken out of center field, Mattingly said when they talked, Kemp "preferred right to left. It looks like he's really comfortable. I don't think it's going to be a problem at this point. We have too much on the line."