Major League Baseball

Mattingly expects Gonzalez to play in opener despite back tightness

Published Mar. 20, 2014 10:14 p.m. ET

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly doesn't expect lower back tightness to keep first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from playing in the Major League Baseball season opener Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gonzalez, who led the Dodgers last year by playing 157 games, said he tweaked his back while stretching ahead of an exhibition game against Australia on Thursday night. He came out in the fourth inning of the 4-2 Dodgers' win.

Mattingly said in his clubhouse office Friday that ''there are no red flags'' from Gonzalez at this point and he expected him to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the first regular-season game in Australia.

Gonzalez is having a good spring training, coming into Thursday's game batting .303 in 13 games.

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