When the Los Angeles Dodgers opened camp it was understood the club would look to settle on backup shortstop prior to Opening Day of the 2017 regular season. The competition figured to be comprised of Charlie Culberson, Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor.
It was interrupted in some sense by Hernandez electing to join Team Puerto Rico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. While he was away from the Dodgers, Culberson and Taylor continued to put their best foot forward.
Taylor also began to receive time in center field, which in some regard neutralized an advantage Hernandez may have held.