Pregame – Page 5 – Dodger Thoughts

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Andrew Toles, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

In the very first game after A.J. Ellis stole his first base in the Majors on Wednesday, Yasmani Grandal stole his first base as a Dodger on Friday.

Grandal, whose steal came in his 191st game as a Dodger, did have three thefts with the Padres in 2014. Nevertheless, to say this week’s sequence of events was unusual is an understatement.

Yasiel Puig remains out of starting lineup

By Jon Weisman

On July 29, 2016

In Pregame

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

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig remains listed on the Dodger lineup card as a reserve, but for the seventh straight game, he is not starting.

Puig’s last start came July 20 at Washington. He then had a scheduled off day July 21 but came off the bench and felt tightness in his right hamstring while trying to beat out a hit in his only at-bat of the game.

He has made one pinch-hitting appearance since, on July 22. Counting Thursday’s off day, Puig has been out of action for six days entering tonight’s game.

The 25-year-old has a .384 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage in 99 plate appearances since returning June 21 from a stint on the disabled list because of his left hamstring.

Andrew Toles, profiled Thursday by J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News, is starting for the fifth time in seven games since Puig’s last start. Toles is 9 for 31 with three walks for a .353 on-base percentage in the first 34 plate appearances of his Major League career.

Pedro Baez’s practically perfect July

By Jon Weisman

On July 27, 2016

In Bullpen, Pregame

Rays at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Chris Taylor, 2B
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

It might be easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than to convince a Dodger fan that Pedro Baez is pitching well.

Making the case that Baez has been extraordinary? Oh, dear — heaven forfend.

But the facts speak for themselves. In July, Baez has faced 39 batters. Three have reached base, on a double and two walks. More than 30 percent of the 39 have struck out.

Baez has allowed a .077 on-base percentage and .054 slugging percentage this month. He has stranded all five runners he has inherited. His ERA is 0.00.

Still no date for Clayton Kershaw’s return to action

By Jon Weisman

On July 26, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Clayton Kershaw says he hates being out but loves how the team has done in his absence. pic.twitter.com/jUaJBdwh24

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 26, 2016

Rays at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Andrew Toles, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw can’t limbo, so he’s still in limbo.

That’s today’s scoop, or lack thereof, on the injured Dodger ace, who has now gone one full month since he last pitched before landing on the disabled list with a herniated disc.

Kershaw was eyeing a fast return until he had a setback following a bullpen session July 16, when something “didn’t feel quite right.”

“All I can say is I’m doing everything I possibly can to get back, obviously,” Kershaw said. “I trust the trainers and coaches to get me there.”

Kershaw said that he had a personal timetable for his return before he was forced to press pause, but that now his view is more open-ended and centers around checking off recovery milestones when he can, so that he can still have “an impact on this season” for the Dodgers.

“There’s a lot of gray area, I guess would be the right way to say it,” he said. “You just have to go based on your symptoms. I didn’t have any pain leading up to when I pitched. Then I pitched, and I felt pain again, so now I just have to wait until I don’t feel pain again.

“As of today, I did all my core work, and knocked it out today. Today I made it. On to tomorrow.”

The only saving grace for the fiercely competitive Kershaw has been that the Dodgers have gone 15-8 in his absence.

“It has been so fun to watch, man,” he said. “It’s not easy watching the games on TV, but these guys really make me want to be a part of it, just the way these guys are playing. It’s a great team — it really is. One of the closest teams that I’ve been a part of.

Dodgers recall Austin Barnes, option Julio Urías

By Jon Weisman

On July 22, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Off the Metro at Navy Yard Station, looking at Nationals Park. pic.twitter.com/BjAnNFKzH1

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 20, 2016

Dodgers at Cardinals, 5:15 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

Sorry for the sparse Dodger coverage this week: We’ve been on a family sightseeing trip to Washington D.C., and though I crossed paths with the team Wednesday at Nationals Park, I’ve mostly been focused on trying to spend one of these 52 weeks a year of fatherhood not tied to the computer.

It’s certainly been another eventful week in the world of the Dodgers, with some bursts from the offense twice out of the three games in Washington, and the transaction wire again hopping daily. This evening brings catcher-infielder Austin Barnes back to the Dodgers, with Julio Urías being thanked for his Thursday spot start (four innings, one run) before being handed a ticket back to Oklahoma City.

Barnes has a lovely .383 on-base percentage and .454 slugging percentage in 63 games with Oklahoma City this year, as well as 17 steals in 19 attempts. He is 2 for 19 in abbreviated action for Los Angeles in 2016.

Fortunately, Cary Osborne will be back tonight to wrap things up after the game. Here’s to a good one.

Dodgers activate Pederson, send Ryu back to DL

By Jon Weisman

On July 19, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, CF
Chris Taylor, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, but the Dodgers are placing pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Casey Fien on the 15-day disabled list, each with elbow tendonitis.

Luis Avilan is returning from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Fien’s roster spot.

Ryu was scheduled to start for the Dodgers at Washington on Wednesday. He allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings July 7, in his first start since 2014.

The Dodgers haven’t announced a replacement starter for Wednesday. Bud Norris is scheduled to start on regular rest for Thursday’s day game. Clayton Kershaw doesn’t have an announced return date yet.

Thompson heads to DL, Zach Walters recalled

By Jon Weisman

On July 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Trayce Thompson, who hasn’t been able to shake a lower back irritation despite the All-Star Break, has become the 20th Dodger to go on the disabled list this season (retroactive to July 10).

Taking his place on the active roster will be infielder-outfielder Zach Walters, who is already on the 40-man roster.

The 26-year-old Walters was acquired during the opening week of the season from Cleveland and has spent the entire season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has a .346 on-base percentage and 491 slugging percentage in 77 games, with 15 doubles and 10 homers, while playing every position except catcher. (Yes, he even pitched to seven batters this year.)

Dodgers can pitch to Paul Goldschmidt — carefully

By Jon Weisman

On July 15, 2016

In Pregame

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Scott Van Slyke, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Chris Taylor, 2B
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Paul Goldschmidt comes to the plate against the Dodgers, and you can hear the panicked screaming from across the fan base: “Just walk him.”

But following years of Goldschmidt taking a sledgehammer to Los Angeles, the Dodgers have gotten their revenge …

… for the most part.

After stomping Los Angeles in 2012, 2013 and 2015 (while settling for being merely good in 2014), Goldschmidt has been retired in 20 of 25 plate appearances this season, heading into tonight’s three-game Dodger-Diamondbacks series.

Not that he hasn’t done some damage. In his first game against the Dodgers this year, at the Dodger Stadium home opener April 12, Goldschmidt hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning. He also hit a first-inning homer in the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 win over the Dodgers on June 13.

In fact, Goldschmidt has driven in a run with every hit he’s had against the Dodgers this year, which only bolsters the impression that he’s been as tough on them as ever. But overall, the Dodgers have gotten their revenge.

In case you missed it: A moment of reflection

By Jon Weisman

On July 10, 2016

In Community, Dodger Stadium, In case you missed it, Off the field, Pregame

"The Los Angeles Dodgers will continue to stand firm against all forms of hatred, violence and discrimination."https://t.co/Z2iwBALGma

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2016

Padres at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

I didn’t want to let the weekend go by without passing along the words Vin Scully recited to the Dodger Stadium crowd before Friday’s game, near the end of an incredibly difficult week in this country.

Ladies and gentlemen. At this time, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the tragic events that have occurred across our country over the past few days. As a community and a nation, we mourn the tragic loss of lives and injuries, and our deepest sympathies go out to all who have been directly impacted by those events and to their families and friends. As United States attorney general Loretta Lynch said today, “This has been a week of profound grief and heartbreaking loss, but as she also reminded us, “Today and every day we are one nation, we are one people and we stand together.

Therefore, we commend the heroic actions and courage of our first responders, volunteers, citizens and government officials, and we gratefully acknowledge the sacrifice that so many have made on behalf of those people. And as the organization that took a historic stance against racism, the Los Angeles Dodgers will continue to stand firm against all forms of hatred, violence and discrimination. At this time, we ask that you please stand silently for a moment of reflection and respect.

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

A few other items from recent days …

Dodgers bring up Andrew Toles, option Carlos Frias

By Jon Weisman

On July 8, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

[milbvideo id=”897202583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Carlos Frias did his job with four innings of shutout relief, but with the All-Star Break coming in three days, his presence on the Dodgers’ active roster is not required.

So Frias has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and replaced on the big-league roster by outfielder Andrew Toles.

In addition, Los Angeles acquired 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Alec Grosser as the player to be named later to complete the Bud Norris trade.

The Dodgers designated Cole Figueroa for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Toles, a 5-foot-10 left-handed hitter.

Toles, 24, was signed to a minor-league contract in September, after he missed the 2015 season, as Barry Lewis of the Tulsa World notes. A third-round draft pick in 2012 by Tampa Bay (when Andrew Friedman was running the show there), he has played at three levels for the Dodgers this year, most recently posting a .333 on-base percentage and .485 slugging percentage in 36 plate appearances for Oklahoma City.

Dodgers activate Hyun-Jin Ryu, call up Carlos Frias

By Jon Weisman

On July 7, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Hyun-Jin Ryu was recognized by Korean consulate general Key-Chul Lee and director of Korean tourism Tae Shik before Tuesday’s game against the Orioles.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

As presaged three days ago, Hyun-Jin Ryu has officially been activated by the Dodgers, who also promoted Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City to support their heavily used bullpen.

To make room on the roster for the two right-handers, the Dodgers have designated outfielder Will Venable for assignment and will send reliever Luis Avilan to Oklahoma City.

Kershaw, Ethier, Anderson quicken recovery progress

By Jon Weisman

On July 6, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Orioles at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Chronically the last team to count their chickens before they hatch, the Dodgers nevertheless feel upbeat about the latest progress from Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson and Andre Ethier in their injury rehab.

Kershaw and Anderson, each recovering from different back ailments — Anderson’s required surgery in March, Kershaw’s an epidural last week — played catch in left field this morning, “which is exciting and encouraging for all of us,” Dave Roberts said.

No return timetable has been outlined for Kershaw, but Roberts said that the clearance to play catch came ahead of schedule.

Dodgers to recall Luis Avilan, option Julio Urías

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Orioles at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Chris Taylor, 3B
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Luis Avilan is being recalled by the Dodgers to take the spot of Julio Urías, who as expected will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, a day after his final big-league start before the All-Star Break. Dave Roberts told reporters the news this afternoon.

This is Avilan’s third separate stint with the big-league club this year, but he has only thrown one official inning. In four games, opponents were 3 for 6 against him with two walks (one intentional).

For Triple-A Oklahoma City, Avilan has 29 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings with a 4.55 ERA.

Urías was called up for his MLB debut eight years and two days after Clayton Kershaw, and he was optioned (technically, for the second time — though he didn’t miss a start) eight years and three days after Kershaw. A comparison of their opening acts with the Dodgers:

Kershaw (May 25-July 1, 2008): age 20, eight starts, 38 2/3 innings, 4.42 ERA (99 ERA+), 1.63 WHIP, 7.7 K/9
Urías (May 27-July 4, 2016): age 19, eight starts, 36 1/3 innings, 4.95 ERA (80 ERA+), 1.54 WHIP, 10.9 K/9

Hyun-Jin Ryu to start Thursday for Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On July 4, 2016

In Pregame

Orioles at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Will Venable, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

Fresh off the successful return of Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu will try to make it 2 for 2 when he starts for the Dodgers on Thursday against San Diego.

Dave Roberts confirmed the news to reporters before tonight’s game.

Ryu has been sidelined even longer than McCarthy. His last start for Los Angeles came in Game 3 of the 2014 National League Division Series, when he held St. Louis to one run in six innings of a 3-1 loss.

That itself had been Ryu’s first appearance since September 12, 2014, when he exited after allowing four runs in the first inning at San Francisco.

Ryu started for the Dodgers in Spring Training 2015 but was on the disabled list when the regular season started, eventually having shoulder surgery in May, a little more than 13 months ago.

Dodgers activate McCarthy, option Stewart

By Jon Weisman

On July 3, 2016

In Community, Off the field, Pregame, Transactions

Brock Stewart took in his first home game as a Dodger on Friday. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers).

Rockies at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

Brandon McCarthy has officially been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, 14 months and three days after he had Tommy John surgery.

Brock Stewart, who struck out seven while allowing five runs over five innings in a spot start for Los Angeles on June 29, has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

In other business, the Dodgers outrighted minor-league pitcher Yaisel Sierra to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Sierra, a right-hander from Cuba, has been pitching for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Additionally, Layne Somsen has been outrighted, while Ian Thomas was released. Both pitchers had been designated for assignment.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 5 of 32)

Catcher steals make a rare return for Dodger offense

Yasiel Puig remains out of starting lineup

Pedro Baez’s practically perfect July

Still no date for Clayton Kershaw’s return to action

Dodgers recall Austin Barnes, option Julio Urías

Dodgers activate Pederson, send Ryu back to DL

Thompson heads to DL, Zach Walters recalled

Dodgers can pitch to Paul Goldschmidt — carefully

In case you missed it: A moment of reflection

Dodgers bring up Andrew Toles, option Carlos Frias

Dodgers activate Hyun-Jin Ryu, call up Carlos Frias

Kershaw, Ethier, Anderson quicken recovery progress

Dodgers to recall Luis Avilan, option Julio Urías

Hyun-Jin Ryu to start Thursday for Dodgers

Dodgers activate McCarthy, option Stewart

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