Dodgers rest Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig, bat Michael Young fourth against Colorado Rockies.

Michael Young

Michael Young is 0 for 1 with one strikeout in his Dodgers career. (Associated Press)

Michael Young is batting cleanup in his first start for the Dodgers on a day off for both Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig in Denver.

Young, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor-league pitcher Rob Rasmussen ahead of the Sunday waiver trade deadline, struck out as a pinch-hitter in the Dodgers’ 10-8 win yesterday. He becomes the first player since Jeff Conine in 2003 to make his first start for his new team in the cleanup hole after being acquired on Aug. 31.

This is not new territory for Young. The 36-year-old from Covina has appeared in 99 games at third base this season (compared to 24 at first base) and went 3 for 10 in three games as a cleanup hitter with the Phillies this year. His .325 batting average and .375 on-base percentage in 99 career games as a cleanup hitter are his career highs.

Puig was removed midway through Monday’s win with a stiff left knee. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters after the game that Puig would get the day off today, so that comes as no surprise. Somewhat of a surprise is the absence of Ramirez, who batted cleanup Monday and was the only member of the Dodgers’ starting lineup who didn’t get a hit.

One more pregame note: The Dodgers mentioned in their notes package that Matt Kemp is expected to travel to Camelback Ranch Glendale today to continue his rehab. Kemp has been out since July 24 with a sprained left ankle.

The full lineups for both teams:

Carl Crawford LF
Nick Punto SS
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Michael Young 3B
Andre Ethier CF
Mark Ellis 2B
Skip Schumaker RF
Tim Federowicz C
Ricky Nolasco P

Rockies:

Dexter Fowler CF
DJ LeMahieu 2B
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Michael Cuddyer RF
Wilin Rosario C
Todd Helton 1B
Nolan Arenado 3B
Charlie Blackmon LF
Jhoulys Chacin RHP

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.