New center field backdrop has Dodgers hitters adjusting

Los Angeles Dodgers were er to show off $100 million worth of stium revations to fans and a national audience at All-Star Game this summer.

Turns out, it appears only players are going to see changes up close this season because of coronavirus pandemic, which will keep public out of ballpark for at least early portion of a 60-game schedule that begins July 23. Dodgers won't host All-Star festivities until 2022.

black tarp that served as backdrop in center field is gone, replaced by a new center field plaza that may take some getting used to for hitters.

First baseman Max Muncy was hit by a pitch on his left ring finger during team's intrasqu game Tuesday.

“I couldn’t really see ball,” he said Wednesday on a video conference call. “I’m trying to just to some of changes out re.”

Muncy said he’ll stop swinging a bat while his finger heals, but he expects to be rey for opening day.

new batter's eye has a bar on top of it that is out of hitters' view but where fans can watch game — under rmal circumstances. re's a new pedestrian walkway behind speaker towers in center field that encircles stium.

“It’s different from what we’re used to,” Muncy said. "Pitchers are pretty happy about batter’s eye out re.”

Manr Dave Roberts said, "You don’t want a player to t be able to see, to put him in harm’s way. For Max to say he couldn’t see ball because of background, that’s a little unsettling.”

Meanwhile, closer Kenley Jansen, outfielder A.J. Pollock, infielder Gavin Lux, catching prospect Keibert Ruiz and pitchers Scott Alexander, Pedro Báez and Tony Gonsolin haven't reported to Dodger Stium since summer camp began a week ago.

Roberts has said he can't comment on reasons for absences.

“I'm hopeful we'll get all those guys back soon,” he said.

Teams are prohibited from saying wher a player tested positive for COVID-19 unless player gives permission. COVID-19 injured list, which has been ded during pandemic, will be kept confidential.

Roberts and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman have said re have been positive tests among players, but didn’t reveal any names.

Dodgers have 2 1/2 weeks of workouts and three exhibition games to prepare for shortened season.

“Being late to summer camp certainly puts m behind 8-ball because of repetitions, getting your legs under you, getting at-bats, innings, building up, all that stuff. Certainly it makes it a little more difficult,” Roberts said.

Each of missing players figures to have a role in team's push to return to World Series after losing in back-to-back appearances in 2017 and 2018.

Jansen has been team's closer since 2012 and earned his 300th career save last year. Pollock hit .266 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 86 games last season, when he missed 2 1/2 months because of an elbow injury. Pollock's wife gave birth to a girl three months prematurely in May.

“If re's any chance of putting her at risk, it gets to be a difficult decision,” Pollock told SportsNetLA, team's TV network, last month.

Báez and Alexander would work in relief. Gonsolin is among those in running to fill David Price's spot in starting rotation. Lux was a September call-up last year who homered in his first at-bat in his postseason debut. Ruiz could make his debut this season.

Dodgers will be without Price and right-hander Jimmy Nelson this year. Price has decided to sit out after being acquired from Boston last offseason, while Nelson underwent back surgery and is out for season.

TES: RHP AJ Ramos, ded to 60-man player pool, threw a 30-pitch bullpen Tuesday. former All-Star reliever last pitched for Mets in 2018, going 2-2 with a 6.41 ERA in 28 appearances.

Im credits: AP