Crawford: Dodgers told me Ethier will start in left field

With the exception of possibly Josh Hamilton, Carl Crawford is set to become the highest-paid fourth outfielder in baseball this season.

Crawford, who will make $21.6 million in 2016, said Sunday that the Los Angeles Dodgers plan to use Andre Ethier as their everyday left fielder this year, with Crawford serving as a backup.

"They told me there will be a lot of at-bats for me, but 'Dre starts, and he's earned it," Crawford told MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.

Crawford's injury-marred stint with the Dodgers reached its nadir last year, when the four-time All-Star missed roughly two months with an oblique strain and hit just .265/.304/.403 (95 OPS+) with 10 stolen bases in 69 games. Ethier, meanwhile, thrived amid Crawford's injury woes, hitting .294/.366/.486 (136 OPS+) with 14 homers after managing a career-worst .691 OPS the season prior.

"I'll get spot starts and be ready to pinch-hit for the pitcher a lot," Crawford said. "That's pretty much it - just be ready to come off the bench."

Considering how Ethier and incumbent center fielder Joc Pederson struggle against left-handed pitching, though, Crawford could conceivably start in left field whenever the opposing team has a southpaw on the mound, with Scott Van Slyke possibly starting in center those days, too.

Career vs. LHP

"I want to play, but I understand I put myself in this situation, so I knew it could happen," said Crawford. "I'm not in position to argue with them. Right now, I do what's asked of me and keep trying to improve myself and be sharp and ready to play when my number is called."