Health/injuries – Page 18 – Dodger Thoughts

By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett has officially gone on the disabled list today with a left hip impingement, an event that jeopardizes the remainder of his season. Whenever he’s destined to pitch again, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the remarkable contributions and moments he gave the Dodgers and their fans so far in 2014, even as his body at times seemed to be doing everything it could to fight against him.

Below, I’m posting our story on Beckett from the July Dodger Insider magazine, one that’s a little more poignant now but still effective in illustrating how big his comeback was. And below that, relive Beckett’s May 25 no-hitter again.

Click each file to enlarge.

Josh Beckett sidelined

By Jon Weisman

On August 7, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Angels, 7:10 p.m.
Justin Turner, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Miguel Rojas, SS
(Hyun-Jin Ryu, P)

By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett is not going to make his next start Friday in Milwaukee, and newly acquired Roberto Hernandez is on his way there to take the mound for the Dodgers.

Mattingly told reporters that Hernandez would make the start “as long as that plane gets there,” Bill Shaikin of the Times tweeted.

Beckett, who is having hip issues and is going to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache today, has a 2.88 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings for the Dodgers this season. He passed the 2,000-inning plateau for his career earlier in 2014, but has not pitched more than five innings in a game since June 26.

Paco Rodriguez placed on disabled list, Pedro Baez recalled

By Jon Weisman

On August 5, 2014

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CC: Kershawt Tub Time Machine
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

For the second day in a row, a Dodger reliever has gone on the disabled list.

Paco Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list today (retroactive to August 4) with a Teres Major strain, the same injury that sidelined Clayton Kershaw from late March into early May.

Pedro Baez has been called up from the Albuquerque bullpen to replace Rodriguez on the roster. Baez, who has pitched in two games for the Dodgers this year, most recently pitched a shutout inning for the Isotopes on August 2 against Tacoma.

In Rodriguez’s most recent outing, he threw two shutout innings with two strikeouts against the Cubs on Sunday. If you don’t mind tossing out the April 30 game in which he allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning to the Twins, Rodriguez has 1.74 ERA in 12 other appearances with 10 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings against 10 baserunners. Rodriguez also stranded all six inherited runners this year.

Dodgers place Chris Perez on disabled list, bring up Carlos Frias

By Jon Weisman

On August 4, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Righty reliever Chris Perez has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Dodgers, who have called up Carlos Frias from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Frias is a starting pitcher for the Isotopes who at a minimum would seem in position to take the long relief role of Paul Maholm, who today was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day. The 6-foot-4 24-year-old is in line to make his MLB debut.

Frias had a 3.05 ERA and 1.31 WHIP for Albuquerque in June but finished July with a 6.05 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

The Dodger bullpen has thrown 163 pitches in its past two games, though it will hopefully get a lighter load with Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw pitching the next two nights.

Paco Rodriguez called up, three regulars sit

By Jon Weisman

On August 2, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

For highlights from Friday’s game, visit LA Photog Blog.

Cubs at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Justin Turner, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Carl Crawford, LF
Drew Butera, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

Paco Rodriguez is at Dodger Stadium today, having been called up to take the roster spot of Paul Maholm, who is heading to the disabled list with a torn right ACL.

Three other Dodgers — Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig and A.J. Ellis — are resting or nursing injuries and taking a break from the starting lineup.

Among other things, Justin Turner is making his first start at first base since May 30, 2013 with the Mets — although he did play innings 9-20 there on June 8 the same year.

Rodriguez pitched an inning for Albuquerque on Friday, retiring all three batters he faced on grounders. He allowed five runs on 12 baserunners in six innings for the Isotopes in July.

Dodgers activate Beckett, option Rodriguez

By Jon Weisman

On July 22, 2014

In Health/injuries, Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”34688073″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Justin Turner, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Andre Ethier, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett has officially come off the disabled list and will start for the Dodgers today, with Paco Rodriguez returning to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Making his first start since July 6 after spending the minimum 15 days on the DL because of a left hip impingement, Beckett is fourth among National League pitchers in ERA (2.26) and opponents’ batting average (.203). He has pitched shutout ball in four of his past six starts, though his last before the DL totaled only five innings in Colorado.

In 12 starts since May 8, Beckett has a 1.92 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 75 innings against 80 baserunners, averaging 6 1/3 innings per start.

Rodriguez pitched back-to-back games July 18-19 on his recent callup, retiring the four batters he faced with 16 pitches, on three fly balls and a strikeout.

Emotional rescue: Dodger victory a big relief but could be costly

By Jon Weisman

On July 20, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

In their most emotional game of 2014, the Dodgers prevailed over St. Louis on Sunday, 4-3.

It was a game in which 2013 National League Championship Series hit-by-pitch victim Hanley Ramirez was drilled two more times by Cardinal pitchers, a day after Yasiel Puig was knocked out of action by an HBP. The latest one, which came in the ninth inning that saw the Dodgers deliver the tiebreaking run, looked serious enough to sideline Ramirez himself, but we’re awaiting reports as this was being published.

Ramirez was hit by an 0-2 pitch, which is a count that I’ve always found exonerated the pitcher (in this case, Trevor Rosenthal) from intent. You’re just too close to an out, especially in a tie game in the ninth, to give up a base voluntarily. It’s the same reason that I never felt Zack Greinke was trying to hit Carlos Quentin with his 1-2 pitch in early 2013.

Many Dodger fans online might not agree. In any case, the damage the Cardinal pitchers have been inflicting in the past nine months has been fairly ridiculous, which is why you can imagine Matt Holliday couldn’t have been too surprised by Clayton Kershaw’s first HBP of the year to start the bottom of the fourth.

Kershaw, whose efforts included his first career stolen base, eliminated Holliday from the basepaths on his very next pitch, thanks to a 4-6-3 double play, and seemed thoroughly in control, taking a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth. But Matt Carpenter, a thorn in his side with an 11-pitch at-bat in NLCS Game 6 last October, worked a 10-pitch walk, and the next batter, Peter Bourjos, hit a game-tying homer.

That evened the game and left Kershaw (seven innings, six hits, one walk, eight strikeouts) with a no-decision after winning eight consecutive starts. The tie was broken in the ninth by Adrian Gonzalez, who stranded two runners with two out in the seventh but this time delivered an RBI single that scored Miguel Rojas, pinch-running after A.J. Ellis led off the inning with a double.

Kenley Jansen retired the side in order on 12 pitches to close out the game.

Alex Guerrero is playing again — and homers

By Jon Weisman

On July 11, 2014

In Health/injuries

Thursday, Alex Guerrero saw his first game action since the May 21 Miguel Olivo ear-biting incident, playing for the Dodgers’ Arizona League club, and it was a nice return. He singled to left in the first and hit an infield single in the third (and scored after a wild pitch, balk and infield groundout), before hitting a two-run home run to left field in the sixth.

Guerrero had a .417 on-base percentage and .735 slugging percentage for Triple-A Albuquerque when he was injured.

— Jon Weisman

Report: Hanley Ramirez not expected to start again before All-Star Break

By Jon Weisman

On July 11, 2014

In Health/injuries

Hanley Ramirez on Thursday suffered “a flare-up of his sore right shoulder and likely won’t start again until after the All-Star break,” reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Ramirez, who singled, stole second and scored the winning run in the sixth inning of the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory, was removed after the seventh inning, in what appeared on the surface to be for defensive purposes, though he was scheduled to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Substitute shortstop Miguel Rojas ended up reaching base to start the bottom half of the inning.

– Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett heading to disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On July 8, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Tigers, 4:08 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, LF
Scott Van Slyke, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Miguel Rojas, SS
(Hyun-Jin Ryu, P)

By Jon Weisman

Amid his banner comeback season, there’s been increasing concern about general wear and tear on Josh Beckett, concern that was only exacerbated when he went aggravated his left hip on the basepaths Sunday in Colorado.

Today, the Dodgers announced that Beckett is heading the disabled list with a left hip impingement. Because of the All-Star Break, Beckett might miss only one scheduled start, the one Saturday at home against San Diego. Assuming the Dodgers reset their rotation after the break, Beckett could return to make a start July 22 at Pittsburgh.

In case you missed it: Carl Crawford progressing

By Jon Weisman

On July 8, 2014

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it

[milbvideo id=”34380787″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford appears off to a healthy start in his rehab assignment at Albuquerque.

Testing for the third game in a row the left ankle that has had him on the disabled list for six weeks, Crawford stole a base, singled and tripled Monday for the Isotopes while playing the entire game, reports Christopher Jackson of Albuquerque Baseball Examiner.

“I haven’t seen anything that has been hampering him as far as the ankle,” Isotopes manager Damon Berryhill told Jackson. “He’s been explosive. He’s gotten good breaks on the ball in the outfield. I think his swing, he says it feels it good. He hasn’t complained about anything. I think he’s due to go six more (innings) here (Tuesday).”

Mike Petriello of Dodgers Digest has more. If the Dodgers keep Crawford to the estimated five or six games of rehab, that would mean activating him Thursday or Friday in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Dodger manager Don Mattingly told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that “not that worried” about how Crawford’s return will affect the Dodgers northward march in the standings. …

“We’ll deal with it when he gets here,” said Mattingly. “We’re playing good and I don’t expect too many changes messing with it.”

But Mattingly cautioned not to conclude that means Crawford won’t play.

“You never know what happens in five or six days,” he said. “Things tend to work themselves out.”

The best opening of the day goes to Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs: “The last time Clayton Kershaw allowed a run, his team was trailing the Giants in the National League West by seven and a half games.” With San Francisco losing Monday, the Dodgers have gained 8 1/2 games in the standings during Kershaw’s scoreless inning streak.
You know this already, but it’s still painful to see Andrew Grant describe at True Blue L.A. how poorly the Dodgers have at the Home Run Derby.
Corey Seager and Joc Pederson made the MLBPipeline.com First-Half All-Prospect team, as Jonathan Mayo chronicles for MLB.com.
At Deadspin’s The Stacks, Alex Belth brought back this tremendous seven-year-old piece by John Schulian on Jim Brosnan — actually Schulian’s introduction of Brosnan for his induction into the Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals. Must-read piece on Brosnan, who died late last month.

The Triunfel-Arruebarrena hula

By Jon Weisman

On July 6, 2014

In Farewells, Health/injuries, Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”34330959″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, LF
Scott Van Slyke, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Miguel Rojas, 2B
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

Erisbel Arruebarrena, 5 for 16 with a walk at the plate and as smooth a fielder as you’ll see at shortstop, didn’t have a long stay on the Dodger active roster this time around.

Two days after his recall, Arruebarrena went on the disabled list with a right hip flexor strain, and the Dodgers brought back Carlos Triunfel to take his place.

Don Mattingly told reporters that the injury happened sometime during Arruebarrena’s first at-bat Friday.

Meanwhile, Carl Crawford went 1 for 2 in a four-inning appearance with Albuquerque last night.

* * *

Earl Robinson, who made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in their first year in Los Angeles, died at the age of 77, according to the Dodgers’ public relations department. Robinson, who went to Berkeley High School and then attended California, went 3 for 15 with a walk for the Dodgers, and later played three seasons for Baltimore.

Dodgers closing in on Brewers for NL best record — and other notes

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”34290327″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Andre Ethier, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Miguel Rojas, 2B
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Heading into today’s game, the 50-39 Dodgers are two games (.024) behind Milwaukee for the best record in the National League, their closest point since they were 12-7 on April 20.

Atlanta, winner of eight straight, is a half-game behind the Dodgers.

Let’s do this pregame notebook-style …

Dodgers going for it with Ramirez, but call up Arruebarrena anyway

By Jon Weisman

On July 3, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, LF
Scott Van Slyke, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Hanley Ramirez tested his calf before today’s game in Colorado and apparently passed the test, because he’s in the starting lineup for the Dodgers.

Today was the last day Ramirez could be put on the disabled list and be ready to be activated for the first game after the All-Star Break on July 18. Of course, that’s not to say that Ramirez couldn’t go on the disabled list a day from now and come off July 19.

In any case, the Dodgers have switched up their sixth infielder, sending down Carlos Triunfel after his disappointing performance Wednesday and calling up Erisbel Arruebarrena, the defensive whiz who now has a .410 on-base percentage with Albuquerque.

Arruebarrena had three singles, a double and a walk for a .357 on-base percentage in 14 plate appearances in his first stint with the Dodgers.

The Rockies, meanwhile, made their own big move, activating third baseman Nolan Arenado, who had been on the disabled list since last playing May 23. Colorado was 26-22 when Arenado went on the DL (with an .823 OPS and Gold Glove glove) and was 10-27 since.

Without Puig, Gonzalez, Uribe and Ramirez in lineup, Wednesday becomes the day of rest

By Jon Weisman

On July 2, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

For photo highlights from Tuesday’s action, check out the LA Photog Blog.

Indians at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Andre Ethier, CF
Matt Kemp, LF
Clint Robinson, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Miguel Rojas, 3B
Carlos Triunfel, SS
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

It’s a long season, and players need their days off. And every once in a while — particularly at a 12:10 p.m. game after a labored loss the night before — more than one player gets one.

That’s the story behind today’s Dodger starting lineup, which does not include Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez or Juan Uribe — nor Hanley Ramirez, who has only started one game since June 23.

Dodger manager Don Mattingly was, you could say, taunted by reporters before today’s game about the lineup, which features three players who until recently were regulars at Albuquerque.

“It’s a winning lineup today,” he responded, though not in a tone that seemed to ignore the potential offensive challenges.

“There were a number of guys that needed a day,” Mattingly added. “We’ve really been going hard. Twelve o’clock game, it’s just hard to keep firing guys out there. I need some energy.

“You see just a difference in at-bats, you see them get impatient. You see guys just get tired, chasing, making mistakes at the plate.”

Uribe had a planned day off, part of the ongoing effort to manage his durability, while Ramirez is getting probably one more day before the Dodgers fish/cut bait on whether to put him on the 15-day disabled list. The Dodgers’ first game after the All-Star Break is July 18, meaning that if they want him activated by then, he would need to go on before Thursday’s game at Colorado. Mattingly recognizes that having him only available in spot duty is far from ideal.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Health/injuries (Page 18 of 33)

As Josh Beckett heads to disabled list, revisit a memorable comeback

Josh Beckett sidelined

Paco Rodriguez placed on disabled list, Pedro Baez recalled

Dodgers place Chris Perez on disabled list, bring up Carlos Frias

Paco Rodriguez called up, three regulars sit

Dodgers activate Beckett, option Rodriguez

Emotional rescue: Dodger victory a big relief but could be costly

Alex Guerrero is playing again — and homers

Report: Hanley Ramirez not expected to start again before All-Star Break

Josh Beckett heading to disabled list

In case you missed it: Carl Crawford progressing

The Triunfel-Arruebarrena hula

Dodgers closing in on Brewers for NL best record — and other notes

Dodgers going for it with Ramirez, but call up Arruebarrena anyway

Without Puig, Gonzalez, Uribe and Ramirez in lineup, Wednesday becomes the day of rest

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