PHOENIX -- Rickie Weeks Jr. is getting some challenging assignments these days.
The veteran outfielder only has sporadic starts. But lately, D-backs manager Chip Hale has been putting Weeks in the lineup against some of the league's top pitchers -- such as Marlins starter Jose Fernandez on Saturday and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Chase Field.
Hale does it because he feels he can count on Weeks to battle these elite hurlers. The left fielder rewarded his manager's faith against Kershaw by going 2-for-3 against the left-hander, including a solo home run in the second and a double in the fourth.