Pregame – Page 10 – Dodger Thoughts

Dodger Stadium at night, courtesy of Jon SooHoo

On April 16, 2016

Giants at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, RF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Some pregame notes follow, but mainly they’re just to fill out the post beneath Jon SooHoo’s great shot of Dodger Stadium from Friday (click the pic to enlarge). Make sure you’re regularly checking out his blog.

Carl Crawford is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment with Oklahoma City, flying east Monday, Dave Roberts told reporters today.

Crawford was placed on the 15-day disabled list one week ago.

Yasmani Grandal, who came off the disabled list Tuesday, could start back-to-back games for the first time in 2016 this weekend. Yasiel Puig has his first scheduled game off today but is expected to be back in the lineup Sunday.

Hyun-Jin Ryu has a groin strain that forced him to postpone today’s scheduled bullpen session for at least a couple of days.

Chris Hatcher returns, Dodgers option Austin Barnes

By Jon Weisman

On April 15, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCXLV: Kershawter Call Saul
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Charlie Culberson, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Chris Hatcher’s paternity leave lasted all of 24 hours, as he is back today with the Dodgers, who have optioned Austin Barnes to Oklahoma City.

The move gives the Dodgers an eight-man bullpen, and more specifically allows them to keep Adam Liberatore as a second left-hander for the time being.

Barnes is 2 for 15 with two walks and six strikeouts in the young season, starting three games at catcher as well as Thursday’s at second base.

Los Angeles will go with a four-man bench, which tonight features switch-hitter Yasmani Grandal and left-handed hitters Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Chase Utley.

Howie Kendrick is the only player in tonight’s lineup who did not start against Madison Bumgarner when he and Clayton Kershaw faced off six days ago.

Adam Liberatore recalled, plus more pregame notes

By Jon Weisman

On April 14, 2016

In Bullpen, Pregame, Transactions

Welcome to the world,
Jensen Thomas Hatcher 7 lb 5 oz, 20", 1:04 pm. Mom and baby are doing great. pic.twitter.com/cRMukv8e5p

— Chris Hatcher (@handlebars41) April 14, 2016

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Austin Barnes, 2B
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

With Chris Hatcher going on paternity leave (Congrats!) shortly before or after 1:04 p.m. today, Adam Liberatore has been called up by the Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The 28-year-old Liberatore, who most recently threw 33 pitches on Tuesday, walked two and struck out eight in four scoreless, hitless innings in the minors to start the season. He made his MLB debut for the Dodgers on April 17 last year, and allowed no runs or inherited runs in 13 of his first 15 appearances (0.71 WHIP) before finishing his rookie season with a 4.25 ERA.

Howie Kendrick an unusual choice for left field, but not the most unusual

By Jon Weisman

On April 13, 2016

In Defense, History, Pregame

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Howie Kendrick, who shifted from second base to left field late in Tuesday’s game, is making his first start in left since August 13, 2011 and 21st overall.

“In a perfect world, we would’ve gotten him more repetitions (in left field) this spring,” Dave Roberts said, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News. “The way Chase (Utley) is playing, I want to keep him in the lineup.”

Hoornstra added that Roberts believes that left field might be easier than second base physically for Kendrick, who fought off groin and calf issues to make his 2016 debut Tuesday.

Kendrick isn’t by any means the most unusual Dodger left fielder in recent years. Consider these …

Dodgers acquire Walters, Ramsey from Indians

By Jon Weisman

On April 10, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Zach Walters has 10 homers in 165 career MLB at-bats. (David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Dodgers at Giants, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
Austin Barnes, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Infielder-outfielder Zach Walters and outfielder James Ramsey have been acquired by the Dodgers from the Indians in exchange for cash considerations.

Walters and Ramsey were designated for assignment by Cleveland before Opening Day. They will join the Dodger 40-man roster while being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, with Andre Ethier and Josh Ravin being shifted to the 60-day disabled list.

Carl Crawford to disabled list, Micah Johnson recalled

By Jon Weisman

On April 9, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Giants, 1:05 p.m.
Kershaw XXXLIV: Kershawrace and Pete
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Charlie Culberson, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back tightness, and the Dodgers have recalled Micah Johnson from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported Friday, Crawford has been dealing with the back issue since the middle of Spring Training.

Crawford, who has missed at least a month a season with an injury for each of the last five years, said he has had occasional lower-back issues in the past that would “flare up and cool down.” He said he is particularly puzzled because he worked over the winter and spring specifically in an attempt to avoid injuries.

“It seems like the opposite happened,” he said. “I feel terrible about that. I really tried hard to maintain my strength in the core and back and I’m still having issues.”

Crawford was 3 for 11 with two RBI in the young 2016 season, playing 17 innings in three games in left field.

Johnson is a second baseman, but he started in left field Friday with Oklahoma City for the first time in his pro career. He was 3 for 9 in Triple-A in two games, after OPSing .841 in 2015 with 28 steals in 35 attempts.

Looking at Joc Pederson’s interesting start to 2016

By Jon Weisman

On April 8, 2016

In Offense, Pregame

Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

One of the quirks of the way the Dodgers have begun 2016 — hot enough for them to average 5.33 runs per game after their 15-0 win Opening Day — is how few walks they’ve drawn.

Los Angeles has nine walks in four games, and four regulars — Chase Utley, Corey Seager, Justin Turner and Carl Crawford — have yet to earn their first free pass. (Turner and Crawford did not start Thursday.)

Adrian Gonzalez has been the exception, with four bases on balls. Yasiel Puig, interestingly enough, not only is the lone other Dodger who has walked twice, he has but two strikeouts.

The Dodgers’ success when swinging at the first pitch has been something: 13 for 24 with three doubles and a homer. Even when they swing and don’t put that first pitch into play, the Dodgers have reached base at a .323 clip in those plate appearances, including two sacrifice flies.

That first-pitch homer was hit by Joc Pederson, who has also has two doubles among the five times he has swung at the first pitch this season. As new as the season is, Pederson has given us plenty at the plate to explore.

Dodgers sign up for San Francisco treatment

By Jon Weisman

On April 7, 2016

In Pregame

Dodgers at Giants, 1:35 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Kiké Hernandez, 3B
Austin Barnes, C
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

So, after sweeping the Padres in straight sets — 15-love, 3-love, 7-love — it won’t necessarily be strawberries and cream today for the undefeated, unscored-upon Dodgers.

Despite dropping a one-run decision Wednesday at Milwaukee, the San Francisco Giants come into play today with a 131 adjusted OPS (just below the Dodgers’ 137). Their fans will carry the focused energy of their own home opener and the fond memory of going 8-2 in 2015 against the Dodgers at AT&T Park, as well as the burning desire to avenge three straight years of National League West runner-up status, 2014 World Series title aside.

You had to be made of stone encased in brick under a cement umbrella not to enjoy the Dodgers’ 25 unanswered runs in San Diego the past three games — a Major League record to start the season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, breaking a record set by the 1974 Dodgers. But in baseball’s never-ending soliloquy, “What Haven’t You Done for Me Lately,” my guess is that for many Dodger fans, the season starts again today.

Maeda, Stripling to join rare group of 26-and-older starting pitchers to debut with Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On April 6, 2016

In History, Pitching, Pregame

Hideo Nomo and Kaz Ishii each pitched shutout ball in their Dodger debuts.

Dodgers at Padres, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Kenta Maeda, who turns 28 on Monday, tonight will be the 18th Dodger starting pitcher in the past 100 years to make his Major League debut at age 26 or above.

And 48 hours later, barring anything unforeseen, 26-year-old Ross Stripling will become the 19th in that group on Friday.

That list includes such Asian pitchers as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Hiroki Kuroda, Kazuhisa Ishii and Hideo Nomo, who combined to pitch 24 innings and allow only two runs while striking out 26.

Dodgers aim to keep the power play going

By Jon Weisman

On April 5, 2016

In Pregame

Artifacts from Dave Roberts' first win as Dodger manager. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Artifacts from Dave Roberts’ first win Monday as Dodger manager. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Austin Barnes, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Having electrified Opening Day with a lights-out 15-0 victory over San Diego, the only thing the Dodgers needed to change in their lineup tonight was the battery.

Scott Kazmir will make his official Dodger debut on the mound, and he’ll be throwing to catcher Austin Barnes.

Weirdly, Clayton Kershaw’s seven shutout innings in the Dodgers’ season-opening rout this year nearly duplicated Kazmir’s first game a year ago. Pitching for Oakland on April 8, 2015, Kazmir also threw seven innings of one-hit shutout ball in a 10-0 victory. While Kershaw walked one and struck out nine, Kazmir walked two and fanned 10.

Kazmir had a 0.99 ERA in four April starts last year, with 30 strikeouts against 25 baserunners in 27 1/3 innings. He allowed one home run the entire month.

Beginning his second season in the organization, Barnes should no longer be a stranger to Dodger fans, but it’s true that he is making only his ninth career start (eighth at catcher). As a starter in 2015, Barnes went 5 for 20 with four walks and a hit-by-pitch for a .400 on-base percentage, striking out only four times in 26 plate appearances.

On the first day of baseball, my true love gave to me

By Jon Weisman

On April 4, 2016

In Opening Day, Pregame, Status report

The last scorebook. #Vin pic.twitter.com/Lie39WypEv

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 4, 2016

Dodgers at Padres, 4:05 p.m.
Kershaw CCXLIII: Kershawtlight
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Watching Madison Bumgarner of the Giants issue a bases-loaded walk in the first inning today grooved me to remember not to invest too deeply in Opening Day.

That RWI was the set-up to a punchline. The next batter hit into an inning-ending double play, and as far as I was concerned, baseball began being baseball right away in 2016.

And we’ve got a lot of baseball ahead of us.

Pretend time is over

By Jon Weisman

On April 2, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

Dodgers at Angels, 6:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Yasiel Puig, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Austin Barnes, C
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

Dave Roberts told reporters this afternoon that he expects the Dodgers to announce their Opening Day 25-man roster after tonight’s exhibition season finale.

That roster for Monday’s opener doesn’t figure to include Yasmani Grandal or Howie Kendrick, both of whom seem destined for the disabled list, with activation on or before the Dodgers’ home debut April 12.

One interesting tibdit: Austin Barnes, who can back up at second and third base as well as catcher, might stay with the team even after Grandal is activated, Roberts said.

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

By Jon Weisman

On April 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Yimi Garcia and Pedro Baez in October 2015. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Ross Stripling has been named the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter and will take the mound April 8 at San Francisco, Dave Roberts announced, adding that Carlos Frias will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

We’ll have more on Stripling shortly in a separate post. In the meantime, here are some more news and notes …

Read More

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On March 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

As the Dodgers returned home from their wanderings in the desert, they took another step toward finalizing their Opening Day roster — with other steps remaining to go before Saturday morning deadline.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts said that Alex Guerrero remains at Camelback Ranch and will begin the season on the disabled list

“He had an MRI that showed minimal damage, but now we at least understand the discomfort and the pain he’s having in his knee,” Roberts said. “I really don’t know what the specifics were — I talked to the training staff, and whatever verbiage they used, it kind of validated some of the pain he’s been having.”

In other developments:

In case you missed it: Camelback farewell beckons …

By Jon Weisman

On March 30, 2016

In In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

Last day @CamelbackRanch. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/W9qNFzQVDq

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 30, 2016

Indians at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Rob Segedin, 3B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

On the final day of Cactus League play at Camelback Ranch for 2016, here are some Dodger tidbits …

Though he remains hopeful that Yasmani Grandal will be on the Opening Day roster Monday, Dave Roberts told reporters today that A.J. Ellis would catch Clayton Kershaw.
Roberts didn’t leak his entire Opening Day batting order, but predicted Justin Turner-Adrian Gonzalez would be in the three-four slots, and that Chase Utley (playing second base in place of Howie Kendrick) might lead off. For what it’s worth, Utley has OPSed .892 this spring.
Corey Seager remains scheduled to start Thursday in the Dodgers’ Freeway Series opener.
Trayce Thompson, Charlie Culberson, Rob Segedin and Austin Barnes should see action in the Freeway Series, but Rico Noel, Elian Herrera and Brandon Beachy won’t.
Hyun-Jin Ryu had a full bullpen session scheduled for today and should begin facing hitters at Camelback next week. All players on the disabled list are to be at Dodger Stadium for Opening Day, however.
Scott Kazmir provides an interesting touchstone for Julio Urias in this Ken Gurnick MLB.com story. Kazmir was 20 when he made his big-league debut for Tampa Bay, whose director of baseball development at the time was Andrew Friedman.
Don Newcombe told Ron Cervenka of Think Blue L.A. that running is the key for a pitcher to stay healthy.
MLB players and coaches can now have iPads in the dugout during games. Roberts said his staff might take advantage, but that he was more likely to stick with paper.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 10 of 32)

Dodger Stadium at night, courtesy of Jon SooHoo

Chris Hatcher returns, Dodgers option Austin Barnes

Adam Liberatore recalled, plus more pregame notes

Howie Kendrick an unusual choice for left field, but not the most unusual

Dodgers acquire Walters, Ramsey from Indians

Carl Crawford to disabled list, Micah Johnson recalled

Looking at Joc Pederson’s interesting start to 2016

Dodgers sign up for San Francisco treatment

Maeda, Stripling to join rare group of 26-and-older starting pitchers to debut with Dodgers

Dodgers aim to keep the power play going

On the first day of baseball, my true love gave to me

Pretend time is over

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

In case you missed it: Camelback farewell beckons …

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