Pregame – Page 4 – Dodger Thoughts

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Bud Norris and Adam Liberatore have been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, who optioned Ross Stripling and Casey Fien to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Norris, who is starting tonight, has a 4.34 ERA in seven games (six starts) for the Dodgers, including his most recent appearance July 31, when he left after facing two batters.

Dodger offense on record pace since All-Star Break

On August 18, 2016

In Offense, Pregame

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodger offense has been sensational over the past several weeks, and part of the reason for this post, believe it or not, is to remind people (OK, me) that they can’t stay this hot forever.

Right now, the Dodgers have an .814 OPS since the All-Star Break, which is 30 points higher than the Los Angeles record for second-half OPS of .784 by the 2008 Dodgers. In franchise history, only the 1953 Dodgers have had a higher OPS after the All-Star Game.

Comparing Dodgers-Giants remaining schedules

On August 17, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

In the words of “Evita,” “So what happens now?”

The flip side of the Dodgers’ 97-day climb from eight games out to first place in the National League West is their tenuous hold on the spot.

The Giants scored twice in the first inning of their game this afternoon against Pittsburgh and twice again in the third, putting them on track to pull back within a virtual tie with the Dodgers by the time Chase Utley steps up to bat for the first time tonight.

Update: Pittsburgh came back with six runs in the fifth inning and held on for a 6-5 victory, putting the Dodgers up by a game in the division heading into this evening.

If there’s an Olympic event that describes the remaining NL West pennant race, maybe it’s the 400-meter hurdles — two rivals running alongside each other, with their own individual roadblocks to surpass, but ultimately boiling down to a straight-up duel.

The morning of August 23, San Francisco and Los Angeles will each have 38 games remaining. Remarkably, nine of them — nearly 25 percent — will be against each other.

Six of those will be in Los Angeles, although the advantage for the first might be with the Giants, who will have an off day August 22 to make the short trip from the Bay Area, while the Dodgers can’t head home until after they finish a 9:35 a.m. PT game three time zones away in Cincinnati.

When you compare and contrast the remaining schedules for each team, you find the similarities are more pronounced than the differences …

Dodgers activate Casey Fien from disabled list

On August 16, 2016

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Casey Fien has been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, who optioned Brock Stewart to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the roster.

Fien went on the DL on July 19 with elbow tendonitis, following a stretch in which he allowed six runs (including four home runs) in 3 2/3 innings. Before that, Fien had a 1.96 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings as a Dodger.

Stewart allowed a run in three innings after relieving Brett Anderson in the second inning Sunday against Pittsburgh. It was Stewart’s first big-league relief appearance after two starts.

The Dodgers also released Zach Walters, who had been designated for assignment Sunday.

Brandon McCarthy, Josh Ravin placed on disabled list

On August 14, 2016

Pirates at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Brett Anderson, P

By Jon Weisman

As expected, Brandon McCarthy has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Dodgers with right hip stiffness. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on the likelihood of this Saturday.

Less expected is the news that reliever Josh Ravin will be joining McCarthy on the DL, because of right triceps soreness. Ravin walked two, threw a wild pitch and struck out one in 2/3 of an inning Saturday.

Those moves make room for the activation of Brett Anderson from the 60-day disabled list for today’s start, as well as the recall of Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hill, Norris, Liberatore set for rehab outings

On August 13, 2016

In Pregame

Pirates at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Rob Segedin, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Brandon McCarthy, P
Note: Justin Turner has been scratched with a right-hand contusion, replaced by Rob Segedin at third base.

By Jon Weisman

Here’s a recap and look ahead at the state of Dodger pitching, based on Dave Roberts’ comments to reporters today:

Today: Brandon McCarthy starts on five days’ rest. (A.J. Ellis, making his third start since July 28, will catch.) Bud Norris will make a rehab start of approximately 75 pitches for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Sunday: Brett Anderson makes his 2016 debut. At Rancho, reliever Adam Liberatore is scheduled for a rehab outing.
Monday: While the Dodgers have a travel day, Rich Hill is likely to have a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Tuesday: Kenta Maeda starts the series opener in Philadelphia on six days’ rest, with Liberatore rehabbing again for Rancho.
Wednesday: Scott Kazmir starts, also on six days’ rest.
Thursday: This would be Ross Stripling’s turn, but according to what Roberts said today, Stripling will be available in long relief. McCarthy or Norris might make the start.
Over the next several days, pitchers that could be optioned to make room for Anderson, Norris and Liberatore include Urias, Stripling, Grant Dayton, Josh Fields and Josh Ravin.

Joe Blanton returns, Luis Avilan optioned

On August 12, 2016

Pirates at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

Right-hander Joe Blanton has been reinstated from bereavement leave to the active roster by the Dodgers, who have optioned left-hander Luis Avilan.

Blanton (2.64 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) leads the Dodgers with 54 games and 58 relief innings, but he has been away from the team since Monday.

Avilan has a 5.91 ERA and 1.41 WHIP after allowing three runs while facing four batters in the Dodgers’ 8-5 victory Sunday over Boston. He didn’t pitch in the recently completed Phillies series.

The Dodger bullpen now goes back to having two lefties in J.P. Howell and Grant Dayton. Julio Urías, who turned 20 today, is potentially a third lefty if he isn’t needed in the starting rotation this weekend. Adam Liberatore is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.

Dodger rotation is day to day, but aren’t we all

On August 10, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Pregame

Phillies at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Ross Stripling will start Friday for the Dodgers in their series opener against Pittsburgh, Dave Roberts said before today’s series finale against Philadelphia.

Rich Hill is being given more time to resolve his blister issues. Stripling, who threw five shutout innings Sunday against Boston, will be pitching on four days’ rest.

The Dodgers remain undecided for their weekend starters against the Pirates. Brandon McCarthy is the top choice for Saturday, but the Dodgers are holding off until after a scheduled Thursday bullpen session before making it official. If not, Julio Urías would be the most likely replacement (on four days’ rest).

Brett Anderson could make his first start of the season for the Dodgers as soon as Sunday, five days after his most recent rehab start. Otherwise, Kenta Maeda would be lined up to pitch the homestand finale on four days’ rest.

Good morning. Since the All-Star Break, the Dodgers lead MLB with an .800 OPS and 5.4 runs per game.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 10, 2016

In lineup news …

Wrist ailment puts Van Slyke on DL, Taylor recalled

On August 9, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Scott Van Slyke is making a second trip to the disabled list this season, this time with right wrist irritation.

Chris Taylor, who had been optioned Sunday to make room for Rob Segedin’s promotion, is reversing field and returning to the active roster.

A lower back irritation previously put Van Slyke on the disabled list from April 12 to June 3. He has a .292 on-base percentage and .314 slugging percentage this year for the Dodgers.

With Joe Blanton on bereavement leave, Josh Ravin recalled

On August 8, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Rob Segedin, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Ravin has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers, taking the place of Joe Blanton, who has been placed on the bereavement list.

The 28-year-old Ravin began the season on the disabled list after breaking his left forearm in a Leap Day car accident. Before he was ready to be activated, MLB suspended him 80 games after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. He was reinstated from the restricted list August 3.

Dodgers promote Rob Segedin, option Chris Taylor

On August 7, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Red Sox at Dodgers, 4:15 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, CF
Josh Reddick, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Rob Segedin, LF
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

Not only has Rob Segedin has been called up to the Dodgers, he is making his Major League debut tonight in left field against Boston lefty David Price.

To make room for Segedin on the 25-man roster, Chris Taylor has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Trayce Thompson has been shifted to the 60-day disabled list.

The 27-year-old Segedin has been pounding the ball all year — first when we learned all about him during Spring Training, and then with Oklahoma City, for whom he has a .392 on-base percentage, .598 slugging percentage, 23 doubles, nine triples and 21 home runs.

Segedin has played mostly first and third base this season and in his pro career, but he has does have 75 games in left field and 66 in right.

Dodger pitching continues to play numbers game

On August 6, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Pregame, Transactions

Scott Kazmir allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings during the Dodgers’ 9-0 loss Friday to Boston.

Red Sox at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, CF
Josh Reddick, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

Brandon McCarthy will start Sunday on four days’ rest after all, with the Dodgers postponing the anticipated activation of Rich Hill from the disabled list.

Dave Roberts told reporters today that Hill remains day to day because of remnants of a blister on a different part of his finger than the one that sent him to the DL in July.

McCarthy has thrown a total of seven innings over his past two starts, averaging 84 pitches.

Bud Norris was officially placed on the disabled list (retroactive to August 1), and Ross Stripling was officially promoted to start today’s game.

In 34 innings this month, the Dodgers have used 13 pitchers, with none pitching more than twice. Stripling will be their 14th pitcher in August, and Grant Dayton, recalled Thursday from Triple-A Oklahoma City, could soon be No. 15.

No reliever has thrown more than three innings in the past five days. Until things stabilize, Dodger pitching might continue to resemble a series of line changes that incorporate additions and subtractions from the minors and the DL.

Within the next two weeks, that could include the return of Brett Anderson, Louis Coleman, Casey Fien, Adam Liberatore, Hill and Norris from the disabled list. Jose De Leon, scheduled to pitch tonight for Triple-A Oklahoma City, is among those who continue to lurk in the minors. It’s not out of the question that the Dodgers will use 20 different pitchers in August alone.

Dodgers recall Grant Dayton, option Brock Stewart

On August 4, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Left-handed reliever Grant Dayton will return to the Dodger bullpen, with Brock Stewart being optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Dayton retired six of seven batters July 22 at St. Louis on July 22 in his Major League debut, which took place during extra innings. Since then, he has allowed a run in four innings with Oklahoma City while striking out six.

Overall, in 36 1/3 Triple-A innings this year, the 28-year-old Dayton has a 0.83 WHIP and 63 strikeouts.

Coleman, Liberatore head to DL, Toles optioned — Urías, Fields and Stewart recalled

On August 3, 2016

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Brock Stewart, P

By Jon Weisman

A flurry of moves have been made by the Dodgers before tonight’s game in Colorado.

Louis Coleman (right shoulder fatigue) and Adam Liberatore (left elbow inflammation) have been placed on the disabled list. For Liberatore, the transaction is retroactive to July 30.

Joining the Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City are pitchers Julio Urías and newly acquired Josh Fields. In addition, outfielder Andrew Toles has been optioned to Oklahoma City to make room for tonight’s starting pitcher, Brock Stewart.

Dodgers send Yasiel Puig, Ross Stripling to minors

On August 2, 2016