Pregame – Page 30 – Dodger Thoughts

April 27 pregame: They walk among us

On April 27, 2014

“A cotton candy sky with a canopy of blue — looks good enough to eat.” -Vin Scully: pic.twitter.com/dmMRhIBlOV

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2014

Rockies at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Matt Kemp, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Justin Turner, SS
Tim Federowicz, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

When Chris Withrow walked three batters and a veritable tightrope in the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory over Colorado on Saturday before escaping with strikeouts of Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, it was part of a surprising trend. Dodger relievers have walked eight more batters than Dodger starters this season, in 57 fewer innings (4.7 walks per nine innings).

Withrow has struck out 18 and allowed only two hits in his 12 1/3 innings this season, but he has walked 10. Having the most trouble is Brian Wilson, who has walked six batters and hit two others in his four innings (along with eight hits allowed).

The relievers obviously aren’t trying to walk people, but as soon as they can reduce the free passes, the more streamlined innings should help ease the collective bullpen workload.

* * *

Carlos Triunfel, whom the Dodgers claimed on waivers from Seattle on April 2, has been called up as a reserve infielder. Hanley Ramirez, who has a right thumb bruise, had a scheduled day off today and isn’t expected to go on the disabled list, but the Dodgers wanted some more infield depth. Jose Dominguez has been sent back to Albuquerque.

April 26 pregame: The last time the Dodgers lost five extra-inning games in a row …

By Jon Weisman

On April 26, 2014

In History, Pregame

Friday’s assortment of Jon SooHoo photos is a good one — check ’em out here.

Rockies at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Paul Maholm, P

Note: Juan Uribe gets a rest from the starting lineup for the first time this season.

By Jon Weisman

It was pretty brutal.

Going into play on August 7, 2009, the Dodgers had a 6 1/2-game lead in the National League West. They played five extra-inning games over the next 18 days, and here’s what happened.

August 7: Chad Billingsley left after six innings with a 5-2 lead at home against Atlanta. The Dodgers allowed two runs in the seventh, one in the ninth and a whopping four in the 12th, capped by a three-run home run by Ryan Church off Scott Elbert.

August 8: The very next night, the Dodgers and Braves played scoreless ball heading into the 10th inning. (Clayton Kershaw pitched the first seven innings for Los Angeles, striking out 10), when Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer off Guillermo Mota. The Dodgers came back with a two-out RBI double from Andre Ethier, ending a 16-inning scoreless streak for the team, but after an intentional walk to Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp grounded out.

August 12: The only game I’ve attended at AT&T Park. Tim Lincecum was one strike away from a 2-1, complete-game victory for San Francisco when Ethier singled home Rafael Furcal to tie the game, but Mota gave up another game-winning, 10th-inning, two-run home run. The man who hit that blast? You might recognize him.

[mlbvideo id=”6062729″ width=”400″ height=”224″ /]

August 15: With the Dodgers leading Arizona, 3-1, in the bottom of the ninth, Jonathan Broxton allowed back-to-back home runs by Mark Reynolds and Miguel Montero. Ramon Troncoso then gave up a game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th.

August 25: For the second time in their past three extra-inning games, the Dodgers rallied to tie in the ninth inning, this time on a Matt Kemp sacrifice fly and a Manny Ramirez RBI single. Troy Tulowitzki’s RBI single off James McDonald in the bottom of the 10th won it for Colorado.

The offense and bullpen weren’t doing great, and they certainly weren’t in sync. The Dodgers’ NL West lead was reduced to two games. It was unpleasant. It wasn’t the end of the world.

Los Angeles nipped its extra-inning woes with a 3-2 victory over Cincinnati on August 30 (Kemp game-winning RBI, McDonald the win, Broxton the save), part of a 19-10 run that helped them eventually clinch the division. Despite the streak, the Dodgers, in fact, were 12-9 in extra-inning games in 2009.

April 25 pregame: Something to talk about

By Jon Weisman

On April 25, 2014

In Pregame

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

Well, it got a little cloudy today, but looks like no rain, which is a fine thing.

After all, the Dodgers have important efforts in two parks tonight. There’s Clayton Kershaw’s rehabilitation start at Rancho Cucamonga, and the small matter of the Major League club trying to snap out of its Phillies phunk against the up-and-coming Colorado Rockies, who arrive in town only one game out of first place (with San Francisco in between both teams by a half-game).

“We want to get back on track,” Dodger manager Don Mattingly said today. “Philadelphia came in and kicked us around a little bit.”

Mattingly spoke to reporters on a variety of topics, such as:

getting Brian Wilson on track (it’s believed to be execution, not health, that’s the issue)
the ongoing efforts to not to overwork relievers (which explained why Chris Perez didn’t stay in for a second inning of work)
why Zack Greinke didn’t pinch-hit if a pitcher needed to bat (didn’t want to risk injury with Kershaw already on the sidelines)
Thursday’s instant replay non-reversal of Carlos Ruiz tagging out Hanley Ramirez in front of home plate. (“I looked at it last night again (after the game),” Mattingly said, “and I think they got the call right, honestly.”)
how instant replay is working in general (“It seems good to me. I’ve heard a lot of complaints, but it seems to be working” and should continue to improve)
whether pitchers are bothered by the delays (“I haven’t heard any complaints.”)
and what’s up with Carl Crawford, who is in a 3-for-27 slump with no walks and is batting sixth tonight. (“I feel Carl is swinging the bat really well, honestly. He’s hitting the ball on the nose, but he’s not getting a lot for it.”)

Tonight marks Crawford’s first start in a position lower than second in the batting order as a Dodger.

Dee Gordon one of only four NL players in past 100 years w/12+ SB & .350+ BA through 23 team G (last was @DeionSanders) per @DodgersPR

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) April 25, 2014

April 24 pregame: Jansen doing work

By Jon Weisman

On April 24, 2014

In Bullpen, Pregame

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Speaking to reporters today, Don Mattingly addressed the chatter about the usage of Kenley Jansen, who leads the Majors in appearances, though it is mitigated by the fact that the Dodgers have spread their 23 games over 32 days.

Mattingly said that the Dodgers are monitoring every pitcher’s workload, that it’s a day-by-day adjustment and that the extra-inning games and some shorter outings by some starting pitchers has had an impact.

Going forward, you might see those factors reverse – there are fewer off days, but the starters are revving up for longer outings.

There’s room for debate on how overworked Jansen is. As you can see from his game logs (click the image below to enlarge), though he has all those appearances (and, as Mike Petriello points out at Dodgers Digest, hasn’t had consecutive days off since April 10-11), the most pitches he has thrown on consecutive days is 39, and he hasn’t worked three days in a row.

Because he’s the closer, he’s also not someone who has had to warm up and sit down a lot — once he’s up, he almost always goes into the game.

In the past eight days since he made 30 pitches in a game at San Francisco, Jansen has thrown 58 pitches, or 7.25 per day. Not incidentally, he’s been on his game. In his past four outings, he has faced 14 batters and allowed only two singles while striking out seven. Jansen’s K/9 this year is 16.6.

April 23 pregame: Kershaw set for Friday rehab start

By Jon Weisman

On April 23, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Uncategorized

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Matt Kemp, CF
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
Justin Turner, 2B
Drew Butera, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

While the Dodgers are hosting the Colorado Rockies on Friday, a sold-out crowd for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will see Clayton Kershaw in his first rehab start since going on the disabled list nearly a month ago.

The sellout at Rancho Cucamonga stems in part from the fact that it was already Brian Wilson Bobblebeard Night there. My colleague Cary Osborne had the picture sent over — and yes, the beard bobbles.

Ken Gurnick has more on Kershaw at MLB.com. The lefty is expected to make about 55 pitches, and then will have at least another rehab start after that.

* * *

Adrian Gonzalez will miss his first inning of 2014 when he starts tonight’s game on the bench. Don Mattingly saw the opportunity to give Gonzalez a rest against Phillies lefty Cole Hamels.

April 21 pregame: Dodgers option Figgins, call up Dominguez

By Jon Weisman

On April 21, 2014

In Pregame, Transactions

Long toss with @ClaytonKersh22: https://t.co/VSBX0yN4IU

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2014

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Paul Maholm, P

By Jon Weisman

To address the rather constant use of the bullpen during this stretch of 13 games in a row (not to mention 29 in 30 days), the Dodgers have recalled pitcher Jose Dominguez and optioned Chone Figgins to Albuquerque.

Don Mattingly called the use of the short bench “a temporary thing,” but said it has been something the Dodgers have been contemplating because as great as the starting pitching has been, the starters haven’t been pitching past the sixth inning very often. Extra-inning games in recent days haven’t helped.

“Every day, it seems like we’re walking a tightrope,” Mattingly said.

In case you’re wondering, Paco Rodriguez wasn’t eligible to be recalled because 10 days haven’t passed since he was optioned, and he’s not replacing a player on the disabled list. Figgins will use the opportunity to get some playing time in after registering only nine plate appearances and one putout since the 2014 season began 31 days ago.

“At the end of the day, I don’t think it’s going to be horrible for Figgy to go down and get 25-30 at-bats,” Mattingly said.

Meanwhile …

Clayton Kershaw is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday.
A.J. Ellis is, if anything, ahead of schedule in his rehab from knee surgery, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
This is fun: Sharon Henry of the Register sketches out Vin Scully’s tools of the trade.
Over the years, Zack Greinke has tinkered with his pitches to stay ahead of hitters, writes Dave Cameron for Fox Sports.
Dodger Moments with Ross Porter, noted in our pre-Opening Day feature on the former Dodger announcer, has a website.
Why is the MLB strikeout rate continuing to rise? Chris Moran looks into the issue at Beyond the Box Score.
Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. notes the significance of Kenley Jansen striking out Paul Goldschmidt on a slider Saturday.
SI.com has a lengthy excerpt of John Rosengren’s “The Fight of their Lives: How Juan Marichal and John Roseboro Turned Baseball’s Ugliest Brawl into a Story of Forgiveness and Redemption”
Author W.P. Kinsella describes how “Shoeless Joe” became “Field of Dreams” at ESPN.com. Remember, the Dodgers are showing “Field of Dreams” at Dodger Stadium immediately after the game against the Rockies on Saturday.
A different one of the names from my baseball book-reading youth, Zander Hollander, passed away at age 91.

April 20 pregame: Playing the elements

By Jon Weisman

On April 20, 2014

In Bullpen, Pitching, Pregame

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

In 18 games so far this season, Dodger starting pitching has held opponents to one run or less 14 times (while going at least five innings). Which is pretty cool.

Los Angeles is 10-4 in those games. The four losses were:

March 30, when an ailing Brian Wilson allowed three eighth-inning runs after Hyun-Jin Ryu had pitched seven shutout innings in San Diego.
April 15, when Josh Beckett through five shutout innings and the Dodgers led, 2-1, in the ninth inning before San Francisco tied the game off Kenley Jansen and then outlasted the Dodgers in 12.
April 16, when Paul Maholm allowed one run in six innings but San Francisco scratched a game-winning run off J.P. Howell in the seventh.
April 18, when Zack Greinke allowed one run in six innings and the Dodgers twice rallied from one-run deficits, only to lose in 12 innings.

Each of these games is a what-might-have been-a-win, but note that the bullpen never a lead of more than one run to protect – and twice had no lead at all. Those are slim margins, indeed. Some, if not all, of those bullpen losses are really losses you could pin on the offense – not that the offense wasn’t challenged by playing at San Francisco.

Baseball today in a sense boils down to four elements: starting pitching, relief pitching, offense and fielding. (You could say two elements if you combined everything but offense into defense, but work with me.) If you have at least three of those elements working for you in a game, your chances of winning will be excellent. The Dodgers are a pretty good bet almost every day out.

April 19 pregame: Extra innings, extra impact

By Jon Weisman

On April 19, 2014

In Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”32195577″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 5:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Though the Dodgers haven’t exactly been giving up runs by the bushel — only 10 in the past four days — thanks to two 12-inning games, the bullpen has been fairly taxed.

Even after Hyun-Jin Ryu threw seven innings on Thursday, Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen combined to throw 58 pitches, a total that effectively kept the pair out of Friday’s 4-2, 12-inning loss to Arizona.

Thankfully for the Dodgers, Wednesday’s game was relatively light.

Here are the day-by-day totals:

Tuesday: 6 2/3 innings, 121 pitches
Wednesday: two innings, 31 pitches
Thursday: two innings, 58 pitches
Friday: six innings, 84 pitches

Wilson, Jansen and J.P. Howell would probably be the prime relievers as needed in support of Dan Haren tonight, when Los Angeles tries to bounce back from Friday’s disappointment, a game in which they rallied twice to tie (on home runs by Scott Van Slyke and Juan Uribe) only to lose.

[mlbvideo id=”32199433″ width=”400″ height=”224″ /]

April 17 pregame: X-rays negative, but Hanley misses start

By Jon Weisman

On April 17, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”32135143″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Giants, 12:45 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Justin Turner, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

Though X-rays were negative on Hanley Ramirez’s left hand, which was struck by a Ryan Vogelsong pitch Wednesday, the Dodger shortstop will miss his first start of the season in today’s afternoon affair (and road trip finale) against at San Francisco.

It’s not implausible that Ramirez would have been on the bench even if healthy, given that he had played every inning for the Dodgers in 2014 until leaving in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss. Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez, on the other hand, will make their 15th consecutive starts.

Ken Gurnick of MLB.com tweeted that Ramirez expects to start Friday at home against Arizona.

The Dodgers had more decent news about Chad Billingsley, whose right elbow ligament remains sound despite tendinitis, and Clayton Kershaw, who completed a bullpen session Tuesday and has another one Thursday. Neither pitcher, however, has a timetable for a rehab start.

April 16 pregame: Pretty pictures

By Jon Weisman

On April 16, 2014

In Pregame

Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Paul Maholm, P

By Jon Weisman

Though the Dodgers lost Tuesday, it didn’t stop Jon SooHoo from collecting some great shots over at his LA Photog Blog.

Still, a win would have made them a touch more enjoyable, I suppose.

Here are a few quick notes before tonight’s game:

Each member of the Dodgers’ regular infield has an OPS over .900: Adrian Gonzalez (.975), Dee Gordon (.917), Hanley Ramirez (.908) and at an even 1.000, Juan Uribe (.379 OBP, .621 slugging).
Yes, it’s true. Uribe still hasn’t drawn a walk this year. According to Baseball-Reference.com, he has seen nine three-ball counts in his 58 plate appearances, and he’s gone 5 for 9 with a homer and three strikeouts.
Matt Kemp has the highest walk rate on the 2014 Dodgers (17.7%) and is tied for second on team in walks despite only playing eight games so far. Though his batting average is .214, his OPS is .960.
With his 10th steal of the year Tuesday, Dee Gordon has matched his 2013 MLB total.

Oh yeah – one more thing …

Today, before heading to the stadium, @yasielpuig stopped by the @RedCross to help promote donating blood: pic.twitter.com/zum5n8A6rD

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 16, 2014

April 15 pregame: Buckle up

By Jon Weisman

On April 15, 2014

In Health/injuries, History, Pregame, Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”31989311″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

After playing their first 13 games in 24 days, the Dodgers will play their next 13 games in 13 days. So get ready …

Late updates: Taking advantage of his remaining options, the Dodgers sent Paco Rodriguez to Albuquerque to make room for the return of Brian Wilson from the disabled list. Obviously, this won’t be the last the Dodgers see of Rodriguez, who had allowed six hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings this year while striking out five.

More forebodingly, Chad Billingsley is returning to Los Angeles for an MRI after cutting short a bullpen session today with discomfort in his right elbow. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more on both stories if you click the links.

* * *

Some gems from the Dodger press notes:

The Dodgers’ 7-1 start on the road this season is their best since 1983, and a win tonight would make this their best road start since the 1977 team went 11-1.
The Dodgers lead MLB by scoring first in 10 games this season and winning nine of those (via Stats, LLC).
The Dodger bullpen has allowed only two of 20 inherited runners to score this season.
Adrian Gonzalez became the eighth Los Angeles Dodger to have at least 10 RBI in a three-game series. Frank Howard is tops with 12 from July 27-29, 1962 against the Giants.
Gonzalez has homered in four consecutive games, one off the team record held by Roy Campanella (1950), Shawn Green (2001) and Matt Kemp (2010).
Gonzalez has an extra-base hit in eight consecutive games, one off the team record held by Jack Fournier.
I looked up Fournier’s streak just now (August 20-26, 1925) and saw that it included doubleheaders on three consecutive days. From sunup on August 22 to sundown on August 24, the 35-year-old first baseman went 10 for 22 with two doubles, a triple, three homers and four walks.

* * *

Also in today’s mix …

The first Jackie Robinson Celebration Game was set for today at Holman Stadium at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, matching Florida State League teams Lakeland (Tigers) and Brevard County (Brewers). Former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent was to address the crowd with history about Robinson.
Kenley Jansen threw a cutter that broke 100 mph, notes Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest.
Ernest Reyes at Blue Heaven presents some anti-discrimination baseball memorabilia.
Duke Snider received the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet treatment (also at Blue Heaven).
The Dodgers were shut out four times in nine games at San Francisco in 2012, but none in 2013.

April 13 pregame: Some progress on the health front

By Jon Weisman

On April 13, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford has tightness in his right side, reports Bill Plunkett of the Register, helping to make him one of the reserve outfielders today against Arizona.

But there’s also some progress to report from the medical side of things:

This update on Clayton Kershaw comes from Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Proof of improvement in Clayton Kershaw was visible Saturday, when the disabled Dodgers ace threw off the bullpen mound for the first time since being injured.

Kershaw, disabled with a strained teres major muscle in his back after winning his Opening Night start in Australia, was not throwing full speed, but wasn’t lobbing either.

Manager Don Mattingly said Kershaw remains under orders to hold back on velocity and is monitored by trainers using an app that calculates pitch speed.
Brian Wilson can return to active duty Tuesday, and it isn’t expected to take much longer, Gurnick writes.
Alex Guerrero has been activated from the disabled list by Triple-A Albuquerque, which released Brendan Harris to make room, reports Gurnick.
Gurnick added that Erisbel Arruebarrena “is still at extended spring training in Arizona but will likely be assigned to Double-A Chattanooga within the week to play shortstop alongside prospect Darnell Sweeney.”
And, looking ahead …

Josh Beckett starts Tuesday. Maholm Wednesday and Ryu Thursday.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 13, 2014

April 12 pregame: The four outfielders are five outfielders

By Jon Weisman

On April 12, 2014

In Pregame, Uncategorized

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 5:10 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Matt Kemp, CF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Justin Turner, 2B
Drew Butera, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Jamey Wright starts in Part II of Jon SooHoo’s series, “Relief Pitchers Batting.” See Part I here.
See SooHoo’s Friday photo gallery here.

For the second consecutive time against a left-handed starting pitcher, both Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier will be on the bench, as Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Scott Van Slyke start in support of pitcher Zack Greinke (above).

Call me crazy (and perhaps temporary), but I see this flexibility as a positive.

Fans of history repeating itself will particularly enjoy Van Slyke’s appearance in the lineup. Thanks in no small part to his double and homer on Opening Day in Sydney, Van Slyke has a 1.111 slugging percentage and 1.511 OPS in the small sample of 10 plate appearances against tonight’s starter for Arizona, Wade Miley. Ethier is 4 for 16 against Miley, with no extra-base hits or walks. Crawford hasn’t faced him.

Dodger batting vs. LHP in 2014

April 11 pregame: Puig returns

By Jon Weisman

On April 11, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig makes his first start since Saturday for the Dodgers tonight. From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

Puig took early batting practice Friday at Chase Field and did outfield drills, appearing tentative catching line drives in particular.

“We’ll see what it looks like tonight,” said manager Don Mattingly.

Elsewhere …

In addition to leading the Majors in stolen bases, the Dodgers are tops in doubles.
Brandon McCarthy is the ninth righthanded starting pitcher the Dodgers have faced in 11 games. The Dodgers have a .777 OPS against righties this year, .579 against lefties.
Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe have started every game this season and have played all 91 of the Dodgers’ innings in 2014.
Uribe has 27 assists without an error, yet to record a putout. He had 62 putouts last year.
The long and winding road for Seth Rosin has brought him back to where he was last season, in the Phillies organization.

April 9 pregame: Josh Beckett returns

By Jon Weisman

On April 9, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett has officially come off the disabled list to pitch tonight’s game for the Dodgers against a player he was once in a trade with, Anibal Sanchez.

To make room for Beckett on the roster, Jose Dominguez was optioned to Albuquerque.

With Beckett’s return, the Dodger pitching staff crowds up some more, and Dominguez’s travels offer only a temporary respite. Brian Wilson (left) marked his 10th day on the disabled list with a bullpen session of about 20 pitches off the Dodger Stadium mound today.

Beckett is not expected to have a long first outing, Don Mattingly said, adding that Paul Maholm would be available out of the bullpen tonight.

What else can I tell you?

Tigers at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Matt Kemp, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tim Federowicz, C
Josh Beckett, P

“The sensation that Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley felt while pitching Sunday in a rehab start was scar tissue breaking in his surgically repaired elbow and not a major setback in his comeback from Tommy John surgery,” reports Earl Bloom for MLB.com.
Tuesday’s showdown between Kenley Jansen and Miguel Cabrera has been documented by Grant Brisbee of SB Nation as “the best at-bat in MLB so far” in 2014, while for Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, it was a reminder of “what makes baseball great.”
A.J. Ellis is celebrating his 33rd birthday today by beginning his rehab from Tuesday’s knee surgery.
Homerless streaks are in the news because of Kansas City’s early season drought. As Joe Posnanski notes for Hardball Talk, the 1963 and 1967 Dodgers had some of baseball’s biggest season-opening homer droughts.
Briefly a Dodger Seth Rosin was designated for assignment by Texas. Rosin pitched in three games for Texas, allowing no runs in three innings across his first two, then three runs in one inning on Monday.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 30 of 32)

April 27 pregame: They walk among us

April 26 pregame: The last time the Dodgers lost five extra-inning games in a row …

April 25 pregame: Something to talk about

April 24 pregame: Jansen doing work

April 23 pregame: Kershaw set for Friday rehab start

April 21 pregame: Dodgers option Figgins, call up Dominguez

April 20 pregame: Playing the elements

April 19 pregame: Extra innings, extra impact

April 17 pregame: X-rays negative, but Hanley misses start

April 16 pregame: Pretty pictures

April 15 pregame: Buckle up

April 13 pregame: Some progress on the health front

April 12 pregame: The four outfielders are five outfielders

April 11 pregame: Puig returns

April 9 pregame: Josh Beckett returns

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