Pregame – Page 12 – Dodger Thoughts

Seager to miss up to two weeks with sprained knee

On March 12, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”551956583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Cubs at Dodgers, 6:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Chase Utley, 3B
Austin Barnes, C
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Micah Johnson, 2B
(Brandon Beachy, P)
Manager: Dave Roberts

Dodgers at Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Andre Ethier, LF
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
A.J. Ellis, C
Shawn Zarraga, DH
Rob Segedin, 3B
Alex Hassan, RF
Elian Herrera, 2B
(Carlos Frias, P)
Manager: Bob Geren

By Jon Weisman

Injury concerns dotted the first night of split-squad games for the Dodgers, with the most serious news appearing to be that Corey Seager will miss at least one week because of a sprained left knee.

Seager had an MRI today, one day after he was hurt rounding first base following a base hit against the Angels, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported. Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters late this afternoon that Seager would be out for one to two weeks.

Seager is 23 days away from beginning his first regular season as a Major League starter. Kiké Hernandez is the Dodgers’ primary backup shortstop, with non-roster infielders Charlie Culberson, Elian Herrera among the bench possibilities.

That left-handed pitcher Alex Wood was scratched from a scheduled start tonight because of forearm tightness seems to be of less concern. Reporters were told that Wood would have pitched had this been a regular-season game. Carlos Frias is starting in his place.

Also pulled from scheduled action tonight was Alex Guerrero, who was supposed to return from a week’s absence at designated hitter against the Mariners, only to be replaced by Shawn Zarraga. Guerrero (left knee soreness) hasn’t played since March 4.

Are Dodgers dodging the leadoff inquisition?

By Jon Weisman

On March 10, 2016

In Offense, Pregame, Spring Training

Just seeing if you’re paying attention. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at A’s, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Chase Utley, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Andre Ethier, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Trayce Thompson, CF
Charlie Culberson, 3B
Rico Noel, RF
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

Earlier this week, MLB.com, the Times, the Register, True Blue L.A. and ESPN.com all wrote about how the Dodgers don’t expect to have a full-time leadoff hitter in 2016.

“It’s still wide-open,” Dave Roberts said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Register. “It might change but I don’t foresee a designated leadoff guy – versus left, versus right, versus any type of pitcher – because any day is different, any pitcher is different. So whatever I feel is the best, which makes the most sense for that night or day, we’ll do.”

For some reason, this seems to get under the skin of some fans, who correlate a consistent presence atop the order with winning. And to be sure, if you’ve got guy who posts a .400 on-base percentage against all pitching and doesn’t have redwoods for legs, that’s a good head start toward victory.

But you’re not doomed if you don’t have that person, and it doesn’t serve anyone to pretend that you do. Whatever advantage might be derived from stubbornly batting the same player in the same batting slot, regardless of who the opposing pitcher is, is surely bettered by creating the best matchups.

Let’s look at the Dodgers’ potential leadoff hitters, casting a wide net …

Dan Haren jokes about comeback on Twitter

By Jon Weisman

On March 8, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

Dodgers at Cubs, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chase Utley, 3B
Andre Ethier, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Micah Johnson, 2B
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

Dan Haren, the one-time Dodger right-hander, has been nothing but fun since his retirement from baseball following the 2015 season. (If you want an extended sample, check out his recent appearance on the Jonah Keri Podcast.)

Anyway, when the Dodgers announced Brett Anderson’s surgery last week, it set Haren’s Twitter wheels in motion, as MLB.com’s Cut4 notes.

In case you missed it: Utley’s suspension canceled

By Jon Weisman

On March 7, 2016

In In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

Chase Utley works out on February 29. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Indians at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Trayce Thompson, RF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Shawn Zarraga, DH
Charlie Culberson, 2B
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

Chase Utley spoke to reporters today about MLB rescinding his two-game suspension for his hard slide into Ruben Tejada at last year’s National League Division Series.

“At the end of the day, I believe that he believes the slide was not an illegal slide,” Utley said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Register.

Utley also spoke about Tejada, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN.com.

“I can’t say enough how terrible I felt for Ruben,” Utley said. “I had no intent to hurt him whatsoever. If anybody thinks I did, they’re completely wrong.”

Bill Shaikin and Mike DiGiovanna of the Times reported Sunday that the suspension would be withdrawn by MLB, which last month revised its rulebook about plays at second base.

… Tejada, vulnerable because his back was turned toward Utley, suffered a fractured right fibula and was sidelined for the rest of the playoffs. In announcing the suspension for what an MLB statement called an “illegal slide,” (MLB chief baseball officer Joe) Torre cited Utley for a “rolling block … away from the base.”

However, such a slide was not explicitly outlawed until Feb. 25, when MLB adopted a new rule to protect middle infielders on slides into second. As a result, Torre said Sunday, the league might have faced difficulty upholding the suspension via an appeal hearing.

“I think it would have been an issue,” Torre said. “There wasn’t anything clear-cut to say that play violated a rule.”

Torre said the priority for the league was not in pursuing a suspension of Utley but in revising the rules to enhance player safety. …

Here are some more pregame news and notes …

Howie Kendrick was going to make his first Spring Training start at third base today, but he was a late scratch because of right groin soreness. For the second time in three days, Shawn Zarraga was called upon to serve as emergency designated hitter, with Rob Segedin taking the start at third.
Carl Crawford confirmed to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that he has been told he will begin the season as a reserve left fielder behind Andre Ethier.
Gurnick rounds up some more health updates, including two innings of live batting practice by Julio Urias and the resumption of Hyun-Jin Ryu’s throwing program after a week off.
Also, Ethier has a right-hand contusion but was able to continue most baseball activities today, while Alex Guerrero is also back at it and is a candidate to start at designated hitter on Tuesday.
Micah Johnson spoke to Padilla about his bid to carve out playing time for himself at what’s become a crowded second base for the Dodgers.
SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo was among those to speak with Richard Deitsch of SI.com in this comprehensive story about safety issues facing female sports reporters.
The story of Clayton Kershaw’s Public Enemy No. 1 is introduced from the point of view of the batter, Sean Casey, in this Anthony Castrovince story for Sports on Earth.
UCLA unveiled a Jackie Robinson statue on campus Sautrday, writes Chad Thornburg of MLB.com. In December, the Dodgers announced plans for their own Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium this year.
Tom Knight, a preeminent Brooklyn baseball historian, is remembered in this obituary by Bruce Weber for the New York Times.

Austin Barnes well-positioned for step forward

By Jon Weisman

On March 6, 2016

In Pregame, Profiles, Spring Training

Dodgers at Giants, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chase Utley, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Micah Johnson, 2B
Cody Bellinger, 1B
(Zach Lee, P)

By Jon Weisman

Before the 2015 season, Austin Barnes had played 195 professional games at catcher, and nearly the same amount (166) at second base and third.

So it came as something of a surprise that the Dodgers had him dedicate last season exclusively to playing behind the plate, save for single appearances at second and third with the big-league club in September.

The year paid off in terms of Barnes’ development as a backstop, and now, the Dodgers have put the other positions back on the table — all good news for Barnes’ Major League aspirations.

Kenta Maeda set for Dodger debut

By Jon Weisman

On March 5, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Corey Seager, SS
Shawn Zarraga, DH
Elian Herrera, 3B
Corey Brown, CF
(Kenta Maeda, P)
Update: Alex Guerrero, originally listed at DH, was a late scratch with left knee soreness.

By Jon Weisman

A sizable media contingent, soon to be followed by a sellout Camelback Ranch crowd, greets Kenta Maeda today for his first start in a Dodger uniform.

“We’re all excited to get him out there,” Dave Roberts said this morning. “He’s excited to get out there. And it’s just more of getting an up-and-down — two innings — controlling those emotions, and just the fastball command. He’s gonna mix in some breaking balls, but I think for the most part it’s that fastball command.”

With Adrian Gonzalez making his first exhibition start today, Roberts also gave an update on Justin Turner, the only likely Opening Day position player who has yet to see Cactus League action.

“He’s doing everything right now as a baseball player, and I think the first thing we’re gonna do is get him in a game as a designated hitter,” Roberts said. “There’s no date yet — as I said early, he wasn’t going to be playing the first week. … But he’s gonna have time to get at-bats, whether on this side or the (minor-league) side, and he’s taking all the grounders, doing everything he needs to do.”

Updates before the Dodgers’ first Cactus road game

By Jon Weisman

On March 4, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Dodgers at Rangers, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Chase Utley, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Trayce Thompson, RF
Alex Guerrero, DH
Brandon Hicks, 3B
(Scott Kazmir, P)

By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez’s Cactus League debut has been delayed one more day, to allow him to make his first start in a home game.

“He wanted to be in there today,” Dave Roberts said, “but I just felt that as you come back from his neck, to drive 30 minutes and then have an hour or hour and a half off before you crank it back up to play a game, I’d rather take that extra day and err on the side of caution.”

Let the playing of baseball games begin

By Jon Weisman

On March 3, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

We've missed you, hashtag. pic.twitter.com/4epnGyUfri

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 3, 2016

White Sox at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Corey Seager, SS
Kiké Hernandez, DH
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

It’s that time. Clayton Kershaw will throw the Dodgers’ first pitch of the 2016 Cactus League season today at Camelback Ranch against their complex-mates, the Chicago White Sox.

Howie Kendrick, Andre Ethier, Yasiel Puig, Yasmani Grandal and Corey Seager are in the lineup for Los Angeles against Chicago lefty John Danks. Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson are among those scheduled to start in the Dodgers’ road opener against the Rangers on Friday, against Texas righty Chi Chi Gonzalez.

“I think that you want to get guys playing together, (but) you’re trying to stagger it a little bit,” Dave Roberts said.

The starting position players are expected to get two or three at-bats each, playing three to five innings.

Joe Blanton, Carlos Frias, Yimi Garcia, Adam Liberatore and Matt West are also on the list to pitch today in relief behind Kershaw. Minor-leaguers Logan Bawcom, Rob Rogers and Jeremy Kehrt are also suiting up.

According to the Dodger press notes, the team is 2-6 in Cactus League openers since the first in 2009.

NLDS Game 5 lineups: Dodgers emphasize defense with Hernandez, Pederson, Grandal

By Jon Weisman

On October 15, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 5:00 p.m.
TV: TBS

Dodgers
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Zack Greinke, P

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, CF
Lucas Duda, 1B
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Michael Conforto, LF
Wilmer Flores, SS
Jacob deGrom, P

Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson (Juan Ocampo and Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Rather than choose between Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson for the outfield, the Dodgers have gone with both.

NLDS Game 4 lineups: Ellis, Puig, Ruggiano start

By Jon Weisman

On October 13, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Dodgers at Mets, 5:00 p.m.
TV: TBS

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Lucas Duda, 1B
Wilmer Flores, SS
Juan Lagares, CF
Steven Matz, P

Dodgers
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Justin Ruggiano, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

In a reversal of 2014, Yasiel Puig will make his first postseason start in more than a year when the Dodgers play the Mets tonight in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

Facing a left-handed starter (Steven Matz) for the only time in the NLDS, Don Mattingly has put right-handed hitting outfielders Puig and Justin Ruggiano in place of Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, who have typically sat against southpaws in 2015.

Also back in today’s lineup is catcher A.J. Ellis, no surprise with a lefty pitching for the opposition, Clayton Kershaw pitching for the Dodgers and Yasmani Grandal appearing to have aggravated his problematic left shoulder in Monday’s 13-7 Game 3 loss.

Memorably, Mattingly substituted Ethier for Puig in Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS, after Puig started the first three games. In each game, the Dodgers needed a win to stay alive in the playoffs. As Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. notes, the Dodgers have lost six straight elimination games on the road in the playoffs, last winning one in 1981.

NLDS Game 3 lineups: Rollins in for Seager

By Jon Weisman

On October 12, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Dodgers at Mets, 5:37 p.m.
TV: TBS (Beginning on TNT if Cubs-Cardinals game runs long)

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Lucas Duda, 1B
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Wilmer Flores, SS
Juan Lagares, CF
Matt Harvey, P

Dodgers
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Brett Anderson, P

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Jimmy Rollins will start at shortstop in place of Corey Seager in Game 3 of the National League Division Series tonight in New York.

Rollins will team with second baseman Howie Kendrick up the middle. With the appeal of his suspension yet to be heard, Chase Utley is eligible off the bench for the Dodgers.

Seager has a double and four strikeouts in eight at-bats for the Dodgers in the NLDS. He has fielded solidly, including an over-the-shoulder catch in Game 2, but no doubt has never played in as heated an atmosphere — on the field or in the surrounding stands — as is likely to be present at Citi Field this evening.

NLDS Game 2 lineups: Kendrick moves to leadoff

By Jon Weisman

On October 10, 2015

In Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 6:07 p.m.

Dodgers
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Zack Greinke, P

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Yoenis Cespedes, CF
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Lucas Duda, 1B
Michael Conforto, LF
Ruben Tejada, SS
Noah Syndergaard, P

By Jon Weisman

Juggling their batting order for Game 2 of the National League Division Series tonight, the Dodgers have moved Howie Kendrick to the leadoff spot.

Kendrick did not make a start in the No. 1 slot in the order at all in 2005. His last start as a leadoff hitter was June 11, 2014 with the Angels.

The 32-year-old second baseman started as a leadoff hitter 14 times in 2014 and 11 times in 2010, and not once in any other year. He had a .336 on-base percentage this year.

Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Andre Ethier are each moving up a spot in the order from Friday’s Game 1, with Carl Crawford dropping down to sixth.

Yamani Grandal, who has caught Zack Greinke most of the season, is in at catcher, while Kiké Hernandez is replacing Joc Pederson in center field.

If you’re coming to tonight’s game, remember to give yourself plenty of time. Auto gates open at 3:07 p.m.

Corey Seager batting third in playoff debut

By Jon Weisman

On October 9, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 6:45 p.m.

Dodgers
Carl Crawford, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Clayton Kershaw, P

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Yoenis Cespedes, CF
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Lucas Duda, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, LF
Ruben Tejada, SS
Jacob deGrom, P

By Jon Weisman

Corey Seager will not only be the youngest Dodger position player to start a postseason game, he will bat third for Los Angeles in the National League Division Series opener against the Mets tonight.

Seager, who has the highest OPS+ in Dodger history for a rookie, hit in the No. 3 slot twice in his 27-game Major League debut, on September 20 and 30.

One advantage with Seager is that because of his prowess against left-handed pitching, the Dodgers don’t have to worry much about batting him and Adrian Gonzalez back-to-back in the lineup.

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

At 21 years and 165 days old, Seager surpasses James Loney (22/153) by nearly a year to become the Dodgers’ youngest playoff starter among non-pitchers. Fernando Valenzuela’s NLDS appearance at 20 years, 339 days makes him the least aged among pitchers. Johnny Podres, Clayton Kershaw, Ralph Branca and Ismael Valdez were also younger than Seager.

Joc Pederson, at 23 years and 171 days, just missed making the Dodgers’ all-time playoff youth team:

P – Fernando Valenzuela (20/339)
SS – Corey Seager (21/165)
1B – James Loney (22/153)
OF – Pete Reiser (22/198)
OF – Yasiel Puig (22/300)
C – Mike Scioscia (22/313)
OF – Duke Snider (23/16)
3B – Eddie Miksis (23/26)
2B – Blake DeWitt (23/42)

Dodger health peaking for October (knock on wood)

By Jon Weisman

On October 4, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Padres at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCXLII: The Kershawrtian
Carl Crawford, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Corey Seager, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

It’s the feel-good story of the year, literally.

In their final regular-season game before the National League Division Series begins, the Dodgers are about the healthiest they’ve been all year.

When Yasiel Puig returned to active duty Saturday, that meant the Dodgers didn’t have a position player on the disabled list for the first time since April 25.

Los Angeles’ disabled list is down to four pitchers, and that includes Bronson Arroyo, who was for this season at least simply ballast in the July deadline trade that brought Alex Wood, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson and Jose Peraza from Atlanta.

Another disabled pitcher, Josh Ravin, was a big-league Dodger for nine games this year, leaving Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy as the only Dodgers on the DL who were expected to play a significant role.

It’s true that the medical charts for the position players aren’t entirely clean. Peraza, who was a playoff 25th man candidate before injuring a hamstring in early September, would have been on the DL in any other month. Puig is said to be under no restrictions, but his return Saturday hasn’t cleared up his availability for the NLDS. Scott Van Slyke’s inflamed right wrist makes him a question mark as well.

But other key players who have had recent injuries, such as Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins and Justin Turner, are all about as good shape as could be expected after the February-to-October grind,

Dodgers taking measure of their pitching

By Jon Weisman

On September 30, 2015

In Pitching, Pregame

Andrew Friedman gets a champagne bath after the clinch Tuesday.

Andrew Friedman gets a champagne bath after the NL West clinch Tuesday.

Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Corey Seager, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, 1B
Austin Barnes, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

This afternoon to reporters, Don Mattingly disclosed some of the Dodgers’ pitching plans for the final five games of the regular season.

Thursday starter Brett Anderson might have a scheduled shortened start, and the same goes for Clayton Kershaw on Monday. By all appearances the Dodgers’ National League Division Series Game 1 starter on October 9, Kershaw will be on four days’ rest when the playoffs begin, so the Dodgers don’t need to skip him entirely. But it’s not like he’s going to be going the distance or anything, even if it means the difference between getting 300 strikeouts for the year or not.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 12 of 32)

Seager to miss up to two weeks with sprained knee

Are Dodgers dodging the leadoff inquisition?

Dan Haren jokes about comeback on Twitter

In case you missed it: Utley’s suspension canceled

Austin Barnes well-positioned for step forward

Kenta Maeda set for Dodger debut

Updates before the Dodgers’ first Cactus road game

Let the playing of baseball games begin

NLDS Game 5 lineups: Dodgers emphasize defense with Hernandez, Pederson, Grandal

NLDS Game 4 lineups: Ellis, Puig, Ruggiano start

NLDS Game 3 lineups: Rollins in for Seager

NLDS Game 2 lineups: Kendrick moves to leadoff

Corey Seager batting third in playoff debut

Dodger health peaking for October (knock on wood)

Dodgers taking measure of their pitching

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