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By Jon Weisman

These bobblehead ads just get better and better — with more special effects! Which mini-Dodger will get the Emmy?

Here are a few quick items that popped up recently …

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu had his surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder Thursday, and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has the update.

    … The degree of Ryu’s tear (and presumably any accompanying damage) is being portrayed by the club as relatively minor. By comparison to the high rate of return to success for Tommy John patients, the record of pitchers returning from shoulder labrum operations to reclaim their prior form is checkered.

    The injury was once considered career-ending, but recent medical advances have improved the chances.

    Comeback stories range from successes Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling to unfortunate endings like Jason Schmidt, Mark Prior and Mark Mulder. The most recent successful return from the operation is Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda. …

  • On the anniversary of his initial callup to the Major Leagues, shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena was suspended by the Dodgers for the remainder of the 2015 season due to repeated failures to comply with his contract. More from Gurnick here.
  • The Dodgers’ 31-inning scoreless streak is put into historical context by Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
  • Hey, we could use some positive news. Here’s one: Joc Pederson’s swing gets an analytical love note from Ryan Parker of Baseball Prospectus.
  • David Schoenfield of ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot looks at the relative strengths and weakness of the Giants and Dodgers going forward.
  • Bill Shaikin of the Times looks at the fortunes and misfortunes of the Dodgers’ next opponent, San Diego.
  • Here’s a history of the eephus pitch, from Jonah Keri at Grantland.
  • At age 38, twice former Dodger lefty Randy Wolf is pitching for Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate, and he tells John Lott of the National Post (via MLB Trade Rumors) that he’s just “enjoying the moment,” regardless of whether he returns to the Majors. “When you retire you can do a lot of things in your life,” Wolf said. “But as far as the baseball aspect, it’s like death. You’re going to be dead a lot longer than you live.”