Yasmani Grandal homers March 18 against Arizona.
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, DH
A.J. Ellis C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Elian Herrera, 2B
Trayce Thompson, LF
(Clayton Kershaw, P)
Update: Howie Kendrick was scratched shortly before first pitch with left calf tightness and is day to day.
By Jon Weisman
Yasmani Grandal will remain out of the Dodger lineup until at least Sunday, Dave Roberts told reporters today.
An MRI showed no muscle damage in Grandal’s sorearm, tweeted Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A., but the Dodgers are taking a precautionary approach with their starting catcher, who told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo that if it were up to him, he would play.
Of course, it became apparent toward the end of last season that Grandal is pretty much the Black Knight when it comes to pain tolerance. Today, Bill Plunkett of the Register noted that Grandal caught Kenta Maeda’s bullpen session, though he let another catcher throw the ball back to the mound.
Grandal has played in eight Cactus League games, with his most recent start coming Sunday.
Here are some other pregame notes:
- Andre Ethier won’t be allowed to put any weight on his fractured right leg for six weeks, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
- Corey Seager batted in a minor-league game today, going 0 for 4. He did not play defense in the game.
- In his third inning of a minor-league game today, Cuban pitching prospect Yadier Alvarez was clocked by two scouts at 100 mph, said J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
- National columnist Peter Gammons has an extended piece on the Dodgers at GammonsDaily.
- Fangraphs writer Dave Cameron addresses concerns that the Dodgers aren’t taking Clayton Kershaw’s prime seriously enough.
- On Saturday, the Kings will host Dodgers Pride Night at 7 p.m. at Staples Center. Fans are invited to purchase a ticket package that includes a ticket to the game and a commemorative Dodgers Pride Night long-sleeve shirt that will be redeemed at the game. Visit lakings.com/dodgers for more details.
throwdeuce
I’m afraid to this FO isn’t doing enough for Kershaw’s prime. As of right now he’d be foolish to stay after he can opt out. If he stays healthy, he’ll easily get an 8-10 year deal making 40M average a year from Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, or Rangers. I’m not sure Dodgers will offer that.
Mark Hagerstrom
This seems a little backward. The Dodgers have made they playoffs the last three years and are trying to put together a team that can sustain it’s competitiveness over the medium term and reach the playoffs consistently. What specifically is the “more” you think they might be doing such that they might also be in a position financially to be in the game to re-up him? With the luxury tax, $40 million a year translates to $57 million a year for the Dodgers. They have made the playoffs the last three years. Not that it is Klayton’s fault that they haven’t made the WS in that period, but he does have a 2-5 record and an ERA of around 4.50, which is about 2.5 runs over his regular season performance in that period. In the words of JFK, ask not what your club can do for you…
throwdeuce
I’m referring to next three years he’s here for sure. You can’t seriously think they have a better team this year than last three, if so, well we can agree to disagree about that. Sure they could still win the division, but do they have a realistic chance to win the World Series this year, no way. There’s a better chance they don’t even make playoffs.
I think it’s great they have rebuilt the farm and that looks bright, but will it produce enough to help in the next three years Kershaw will be here? Doubtful. So that means they should have done something more to fill the Greinke hole. I for one thought they should have offered more money, there was no way their offer was going to be accepted, and they knew that. Unfortunately Price was already gone by time Greinke made his choice to go elsewhere, so the FO blew it. At that point I believe they’ve gone into a semi-quasi rebuild mode, try to make it look like they are doing things to stay competitive, but not doing enough IMO, and just waiting until the farm is ready. By that time Kershaw can opt out, and will since he’s no longer highest paid pitcher. And I just don’t see this FO willing to re-sign him at the price it’ll take. So that means they wasted his best years (unless of course lighting in a bottle happens next three years and they win it all).
Also this could be just a stupid rant as I’m very trusted with how the off season and Spring Training has gone. I hope I’m completely wrong.