Pregame – Page 11 – Dodger Thoughts

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

On March 29, 2016

In Bullpen, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Adam Liberatore has struck out 11 in nine Cactus League innings this year.

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are down to two left-handers in their Major League bullpen after optioning Adam Liberatore to the minors following the team’s 5-4 victory Monday over Texas.

The question now is, will they go down to one?

Since we last checked in on the bullpen, it has been whittled in predictable fashion, leaving the following:

After 19 MLB seasons, Jamey Wright retires

By Jon Weisman

On March 28, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Love this guy!

A post shared by Jamey Wright (@thejameywright) on Mar 7, 2016 at 6:32am PST

Rangers at Dodgers 7:05 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Austin Barnes, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

If it was a longshot for Jamey Wright to make a comeback with the Dodgers at age 41, what a sweet longshot it was.

Wright, who allowed 16 baserunners in 6 2/3 Cactus League innings, announced today that he was retiring from baseball, after 19 Major league seasons and nearly 23 years after signing his first professional contract. He had a chance to say goodbye to the sport with his eyes wide open.

In case you missed it: Ex-Dodger moves forward from tragedy

By Jon Weisman

On March 27, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”565381383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Reds at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Chase Utley, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Rob Segedin, 1B
Austin Barnes, 2B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

I hope you don’t have to read a tougher story than this today: Former Dodger reliever Javy Guerra spoke to J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News about the twin horrors of losing his brother and sister in the past two years.

Here’s what’s happening around the Dodgers …

Zach Lee held serve in his challenge with Carlos Frias to start in the first week of the 2016 season. In the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory Saturday over the White Sox, Lee (pitching 4 2/3 innings) got two more outs than Frias, but allowed two more runs. Oddly, Lee had no walks or strikeouts.
Wrote Ken Gurnick of MLB.com: “Some will speculate that because Frias faced the Giants recently, Lee will get that first start, rather than have Frias face the same hitters again. San Francisco’s lineup Friday night included Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford.”
Under the radar, Kiké Hernandez (hit by a pitch near his oblique Sunday), Alex Guerrero (knee) and Yimi Garcia (knee) have gone days without playing as they try to let various sore spots heal.
However, Gurnick indicates that Corey Seager is nearing a return to Major League action after playing defense in a minor-league game Saturday.
Scott Kazmir’s abdominal issues weren’t abominable – it turns out, they were cramps.
Prospect watchers got a thrill when 20-year-old Cody Bellinger and 21-year-old Willie Calhoun hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning off MLB veteran Dan Jennings. Each player reached base twice in the game.
Justin Turner walked, doubled and singled in his three plate appearances, and now has a Cactus League on-base percentage in the .700 club.
Play-by-play announcer Joe Davis is not only spending his first season with the Dodgers in 2016, he and his wife Libby are having their first baby this summer. Congrats!
It was Dodger Pride night Saturday at Staples Center with the Kings.

@lakings, you look good. I mean, really good. #GKG Join us for Kings Night at Dodger stadium on August 12! Visit Dodgers.com/Kings for more information.

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Mar 26, 2016 at 9:57pm PDT

Vin Scully goes back to work

By Jon Weisman

On March 25, 2016

In Broadcasting, Pregame, Spring Training

Photos by Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Austin Barnes, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Carlos Frias, P

By Jon Weisman

Vin Scully arrived at Camelback Ranch this afternoon, ahead of his first broadcast of his last season behind the mic for the Dodgers.

Scully will do tonight’s game against the Giants, then return to Southern California and do the two Freeway Series games against the Angels at Dodger Stadium (March 31-April 1), before settling in for Opening Day at San Diego on April 4.

In case you missed it: Grandal’s return delayed

By Jon Weisman

On March 24, 2016

In In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

Yasmani Grandal homers March 18 against Arizona.

Dodgers at Indians, 7:05 p.m.
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.

Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture

By Jon Weisman

On March 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Royals, 6:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, DH
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis C
Trayce Thompson, LF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Rico Noel, RF
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

The second X-ray was radioactive and then some for Andre Ethier.

When Ethier fouled a ball off his right shin Friday, initial x-rays were negative. But after he showed no improvement over subsequent days, a follow-up CT scan revealed a right tibia fracture.

He won’t need surgery, but he is expected to need between 10 and 14 weeks to recover, which puts him out until at least approximately June, or approximately a third of the regular season.

Ethier, who turns 34 on April 10, played in 142 games last year and hasn’t played in fewer than 130 since 2006, his rookie year. He had an .842 OPS and 137 weighted Runs Created in 2015.

Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke are the most obvious choices to pick up Ethier’s innings in left field, with Trayce Thompson — who starts for the Dodgers in tonight’s Cactus League game against the Royals — the leading option from the farm system. The 25-year-old Thompson OPSed .896 with 144 wRC+ in 135 plate appearances when he debuted with the White Sox last summer.

Kiké Hernandez is the last Dodger to start in left field in a game that counted — Game 5 of the 2015 National League Division Series — and could also see time there once Corey Seager returns to action at shortstop.

A year ago, Crawford was coming off a hot finish to 2013, and Ethier was expected to be the fourth outfielder, only to step forward when Crawford struggled with injuries. This year, Crawford and others will have the opportunity to step up for a fallen starter.

No. 5 starter on light duty at season’s outset

By Jon Weisman

On March 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Left-handed pitcher Dave Roberts is not a candidate for the Dodger starting rotation.

Mariners at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 3B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Charlie Culberson, SS
Elian Herrera, 2B
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

A bit of calm has arrived this morning after this weekend’s fifth-starter whiplash, in which the Dodgers’ three principal candidates for the final spot in the rotation seemed to fall by the temporary wayside.

Mike Bolsinger, who had emerged as the winner of the derby, has an oblique injury that isn’t serious, in the same way that rush hour at In ‘N Out isn’t serious — he’ll get where he needs to go, but he still has to bide his time.

From Doug Padilla of ESPN.com:

… He believes he can get back on track if he can get in one more start before exhibition games end April 2. The Dodgers leave Arizona on March 30 but play three games against the Los Angeles Angels in Southern California in advance of the April 4 season opener at San Diego.

“[Bolsinger] said there was significant improvement, but I think with the oblique we want to be cautious,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And I have used that word cautious numerous times this spring. But we do. It’s going to be asymptomatic in when he picks up a baseball again, so it could be a day, it could be two days. We’ll continue to be hopeful.”

Remember, Los Angeles doesn’t require a permanent solution at No. 5 right this minute. Rather, the Dodgers need a No. 5 starter only once before April 16 — on April 8 at San Francisco.

In the meantime, the Dodgers are reconsidering other options, including Brandon Beachy (recovering from a small bit of tendinitis), Zach Lee (whose option to the minors can be rescinded) and Carlos Frias (ever-straddling the line between starter and reliever).

Joe Blanton, on the other hand, will remain in long relief, according to Dave Roberts (via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.)

Gurnick added that Corey Seager ” felt fine one day after his first extensive workout,” but Andre Ethier was to have a bone scan to make sure nothing was missed in the X-ray Friday on his right shin.

Kazmir and Bolsinger under watchful eyes

By Jon Weisman

On March 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Padres at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis C
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Brown, LF
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Mike Bolsinger, P

Dodgers at Brewers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Rico Noel, RF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Cary Osborne

Today marks Scott Kazmir’s first Cactus League outing since March 9, when he allowed six hits, two walks and five earned runs against the Angels.

Kazmir faces the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.

He pitched in a B game against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch on March 14. A lot was made of Kazmir’s fastball velocity in the B game, reportedly in the mid- to high-80s, so Spring Training game or not, people will be eager to watch this one.

The same could be said about the matchup against the Padres at Camelback Ranch where Mike Bolsinger continues his campaign for the fifth-starter spot.

The right-hander threw four shutout innings against the Brewers on March 14, allowing two hits and walk, striking out two.

Here’s how the three fifth-starter candidates have done so far:

Bolsinger: 9 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 SO, 2 ER
Zach Lee: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 4 ER
Brandon Beachy: 7 IP, 8 H, 7 BB, 2 SO, 6 ER

However, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on Saturday that Beachy was dealing with a sore arm and will rest for a few days while being evaluated. Beachy told Gurnick today that it’s mild tendinitis and he doesn’t believe it’s too serious.

Scott Van Slyke was originally in today’s lineup at first base against the Padres, but was scratched due to a sore right hip flexor. Gurnick reported on Twitter that Van Slyke will rest one or two days.

Young Dodgers in the 21st century

By Jon Weisman

On March 19, 2016

In History, Pregame

Clayton Kershaw makes his MLB debut on May 25, 2008.

Dodgers at White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Alex Guerrero, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Austin Barnes, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Elian Herrera, LF
Rico Noel, RF
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw is somehow 28 years old today, which is only slightly more believable than my youngest son turning 8 years old Sunday. My guess is that Kershaw isn’t renting a game truck this morning, though what do I know?

Anyway, just for fun, here are the youngest Dodgers to make their MLB debuts in the 2000s, with their ages at the time.

Edwin Jackson (September 9, 2003): 20 years, 0 days
Clayton Kershaw (May 25, 2008): 20 years, 67 days
*Adrian Beltre (April 3, 2000): 20 years, 362 days
Jonathan Broxton (July 29, 2005): 21 years, 43 days
Jose Peraza (August 10, 2015): 21 years, 102 days
Corey Seager (September 3, 2015): 21 years, 129 days
Paco Rodriguez (September 9, 2012): 21 years, 146 days
**Dioner Navarro (July 29, 2005): 21 years, 170 days
Nathan Eovaldi (August 6, 2011): 21 years, 174 days
Joel Guzman (June 1, 2006): 21 years, 189 days

*First game of the 2000s — actually debuted June 24, 1998, at 19 years, 78 days
**Made MLB debut September 7, 2004 with Yankees, at 20 years, 211 days

Julio Urias, who was optioned to the minor leagues Thursday, turns 20 on August 12 this year. If he gets his big-league callup before then, he will move ahead of Jackson.

Checking in on the Dodger bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On March 18, 2016

In Bullpen, Pregame, Spring Training

Louis Coleman warms prior to his Spring Training debut March 4 for the Dodgers at Surprise, Arizona.

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.
Andre Ethier, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Chase Utley, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Brandon Beachy, P

By Jon Weisman

For all the speculation about who the fifth starting pitcher in the Dodger rotation will be, there hasn’t been a ton of talk about the back end of the bullpen.

Let’s do a quick refresher of the remaining candidates for the (presumably) seven relief spots:

Read More

Spring Training, emphasis on training

By Jon Weisman

On March 17, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

https://twitter.com/JDL_87/status/710331805673660416

Royals at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, DH
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Austin Barnes, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Brown, LF
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

Why is it hard to get a read on big-league teams during Spring Training?

Here are the Dodger leaders in Cactus League defensive innings played so far:

70 Trayce Thompson
66 Micah Johnson
60 Rico Noel
60 Rob Segedin
57 Charlie Culberson
55 Corey Brown
53 Cody Bellinger
50 Elian Herrera
49 Brandon Hicks
48 Scott Van Slyke

Not saying the games haven’t been worthwhile — there are real contributors there — but just that they serve a purpose more broad than straight wins and losses. I like to call that purpose, “baseball.”

How many innings might make Maeda mightier

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2016

In Pitching, Pregame, Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”555038283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Rockies at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Andre Ethier, LF
Howie Kendrick, DH
Justin Turner, 3B
Chase Utley, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Elian Herrera, SS
(Zach Lee, P)

By Jon Weisman

We recapped Kenta Maeda’s latest outing Tuesday, but I saw some more comments this morning worth passing along.

The bulk of them centered on how much it will help Maeda simply to put more mileage on his American odometer. For example, here’s what Maeda said to the Japan Times …

… “I’m still throwing some fat pitches, but I was able to get some strikeouts, so it was a learning experience,” he said. “Next time I want to do a good job while increasing my innings and pitch count and not walking batters.

“There were times when I threw pitches on the corner that I wanted strikes on but were called balls. Had I got them, I would have had more strikeouts. I think I’m going to have to establish my reputation among the umpires as a pitcher with good control.” …

Kendrick returns as DH, Barnes starts at second base

By Jon Weisman

On March 15, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Dodgers at White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Howie Kendrick, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Chase Utley, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Austin Barnes, 2B
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

Howie Kendrick is starting today for the Dodgers, but their second baseman is Austin Barnes.

Kendrick, who has been nursing groin tenderness, is making his third Cactus League appearance and first since March 5. He will be the designated hitter, while the Dodgers further test out No. 3 catcher Barnes as a multi-position option.

It’s no secret that Barnes has potential to help the Dodgers at second and third base as well as catcher. Last year, he became the 11th player to play all three positions in his Dodger career.

Only Derrel Thomas, who caught five games as a Dodger, and Lew Ritter have played at least five games at all three positions, so Barnes could break new ground in 2016 if he gets the opportunity.

By the way, one of the 11 Dodgers to have played second base, third base and catcher is 100-year-old Mike Sandlock, who is currently the oldest living former MLB player.

Justin Turner makes Cactus League debut today

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Brewers at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Micah Johnson, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Austin Barnes, C
Alex Guerrero, DH
Trayce Thompson, CF
Charlie Culberson, SS
Rico Noel, LF
(Mike Bolsinger, P)

By Jon Weisman

The Iced Man cometh.

In the Dodgers’ 13th Cactus League game of 2016, Justin Turner will make his first appearance.

Turner, who has been recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to play approximately five innings at third base.

The 31-year-old Turner made it back into the lineup exactly three weeks before Opening Day at San Diego.

Alex Guerrero, who pinch-hit Sunday in his first game in eight days, gets his first start in that span at designated hitter.

Today’s game is preceded by a “B” game, slated to go no more than five innings, in which Scott Kazmir of the Dodgers is pitchinh against Chris Sale of the White Sox. Yasmani Grandal, who has been sidelined with a forearm contusion, is catching Kazmir.

In case you missed it: Infield candidates step up

By Jon Weisman

On March 13, 2016

In In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”553066783″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Chase Utley, 2B
Andre Ethier, LF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Charlie Culberson 3B
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Charlie Culberson, Elian Herrera and Brandon Hicks, whose roles as reserves could increase over the next two weeks of Spring Training – if not Opening Day – while Corey Seager recovers from his strained left knee, each enjoyed spotlight moments Saturday for the twice-victorious Dodgers.

In a pair of topsy-turvy games Saturday, the Dodgers scored the winning runs in the bottom of the ninth against the Cubs and in the top of the 10th against the Mariners.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 11 of 32)

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

After 19 MLB seasons, Jamey Wright retires

In case you missed it: Ex-Dodger moves forward from tragedy

Vin Scully goes back to work

In case you missed it: Grandal’s return delayed

Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture

No. 5 starter on light duty at season’s outset

Kazmir and Bolsinger under watchful eyes

Young Dodgers in the 21st century

Checking in on the Dodger bullpen

Spring Training, emphasis on training

How many innings might make Maeda mightier

Kendrick returns as DH, Barnes starts at second base

Justin Turner makes Cactus League debut today

In case you missed it: Infield candidates step up

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