HOUSTON — Joc Pederson isn’t in the Dodgers’ starting lineup Saturday against the Houston Astros and left-handed starter Scott Kazmir. Kiké Hernandez is playing center field and batting seventh.

Pederson has struggled to hit for average against all pitchers this season. Against left-handers, the struggles have extended to his on-base percentage (.305) and power (.349 slugging average).

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly all but conceded that Hernandez will start against left-handers for now.

“I think you have to look at (Hernandez), the way he’s swinging, and the decisions we’ll make will be based on trying to put the best lineup out there,” Mattingly said. “This is the time of year with everyone you’re going to try to put the best club on the field. You make a little different decisions now than you would in May or June, as far as trying to build your team over the course of the season, keeping everyone involved in the decisions you make.”

Mattingly doesn’t believe that benching Pederson against lefties might hinder the 23-year-old rookie’s development.

“If it is, then it’s not who you think he is,” Mattingly said. “It’s like anything else — you hate sending guys down. You know it breaks their spirit a little bit to go down, but everybody’s had to do it. If you can’t overcome that, you’re not going to be able to make the adjustments you need to be here anyway.”