Pregame – Page 6 – Dodger Thoughts

‘Put me in,’ said McCarthy — and Dodgers agreed

On July 2, 2016

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Rockies 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
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

If you’re wondering whether the Dodgers fast-tracked Brandon McCarthy’s final furlong of Tommy John rehab because of their current injury crisis, that’s not the case.

It is fair to say, though, McCarthy’s readiness timed out well with the Dodgers’ needs.

“This is right where I wanted to be,” McCarthy said today, about 21 hours before his 2016 debut. “I was the one who said, ‘Let’s go.’ I felt that I had gotten to a place with my stuff and feeling-wise that I felt confident about being here, and if there was a need for me, I said, ‘Put me in.’ ”

Joc Pederson joins Kershaw on 15-day disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On July 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson and Clayton Kershaw have officially been placed on the 15-day disabled list, with Will Venable returning from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Pederson’s spot on the 25-man roster, and Bud Norris coming onto the team for Kershaw.

Pederson is second on the Dodgers with 16 doubles, 13 homers, 31 walks, a .476 slugging percentage, .342 weighted on-base average and 116 weighted runs created. The 24-year-old hasn’t played since crashing into the outfield wall Tuesday at Milwaukee and suffering a sprained right AC (acromioclavicular) joint.

Clayton Kershaw having back examined in Los Angeles

By Jon Weisman

On June 28, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Brewers, 5:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Chris Taylor, 3B
Julio Urías, P
Note: Days off for Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner, both of whom are expected to play Wednesday.

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw is returning to Los Angeles early to visit team doctors about lower back soreness he is experiencing, Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters before tonight’s game in Milwaukee.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com noted Monday, Roberts said that Kershaw has been dealing with some stiffness the past few weeks.

When your front’s to the wall

By Jon Weisman

On June 27, 2016

In Pregame

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Dodgers at Pirates, 9:35 a.m.
Kiké Hernández, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
A.J. Ellis, C
Chris Taylor, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

This is going to sound particularly banal, but as I’ve pondered what to write before today’s getaway-from-Pittsburgh game, I’m stuck on how change is a way of life in baseball.

Players and teams go up and down, without exception, and a season is really about who gets a few more ups than the rest.

The Cubs, thought to be indomitable, have lost six of seven. Bryce Harper, looking in April like an MVP for the next 10 seasons, has a .680 OPS over the past six weeks.

I’m not saying that it’s impossible to tell the difference between an aberration and a trend. But some players are performing uncharacteristically, and reversals of fortune shouldn’t be ruled out.

Just as you shouldn’t expect Corey Seager or Justin Turner to hit seven or eight homers every month, there are other players whom you shouldn’t expect not to turn it around.

The unabridged list of Clayton Kershaw walks in 2016

By Jon Weisman

On June 26, 2016

In Pregame

Click to enlarge.

Dodgers at Pirates, 5:07 p.m.
Kershaw CCLVIII: Kershaws I Lay Dying
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Clayton Kershaw, P
Note: Dave Roberts told reporters today that Adrian Gonzalez will be out of the starting lineup tonight and Monday.

By Jon Weisman

There’s the list, the list of the seven times in the 2016 baseball season any of the 414 batters Clayton Kershaw has faced managed to get a base on balls.

They haven’t come in consecutive starts since the first week of the campaign. At his stingiest, Kershaw walked one person (David Wright) in a 156-batter, 33-day stretch.

None of them have scored, with two reaching scoring position.

Chris Taylor promoted, Nick Tepesch designated

By Jon Weisman

On June 25, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

[milbvideo id=”812831483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Pirates, 4:15 p.m.
Kiké Hernández, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Adrian González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Chris Taylor, the infielder acquired by the Dodgers from the Mariners six days ago for Zach Lee, has been promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Nick Tepesch, who went four innings in the Dodgers’ 8-6 loss Friday to Pittsburgh, has been designated for assignment.

In three games with Oklahoma City since the trade, Taylor has gone 6 for 12 with three doubles, three RBI and a stolen base, along with four strikeouts.

Will Venable designated for assignment

By Jon Weisman

On June 24, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Nick Tepesch, P

By Jon Weisman

To make room for tonight’s starter Nick Tepesch on their 40-man roster, the Dodgers have designated outfielder Will Venable for assignment.

Venable signed with the Dodgers 10 days ago. His main contribution was on June 17, when he doubled to lead off the bottom of the 10th in a tie game against Milwaukee, before scoring on Justin Turner’s walkoff single.

The 33-year-old Venable was also hit by a pitch in his 11 plate appearances.

Also: The Dodgers signed 40-year-old left-hander Randy Choate to a minor-league contract. Choate, who in 2012 with the Dodgers pitched 36 of his 672 career Major League games, is in Arizona on a rehab assignment but expected to move next to Double-A Tulsa.

Hearing issue doesn’t affect Louis Coleman on mound

By Jon Weisman

On June 22, 2016

In Pregame

Louis Coleman has (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Right-handed batters have a .520 OPS against Louis Coleman in 2016. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Julio Urias, P

By Jon Weisman

In each issue of Dodger Insider magazine, we spend a little time talking with a player about their off-field lives: favorite movies, hobbies and the like.

For the current homestand, Louis Coleman stepped up, and among other things, the Dodger reliever mentioned that he has been deaf in his right ear for several years. J.P. Howell, who was nearby during the interview, confirmed this, but Coleman emphasized that it doesn’t affect his pitching.

Read more in this excerpt from the magazine …

Roberts will study Puig’s mechanics in his return

By Jon Weisman

On June 21, 2016

In Hitting, Pregame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Dave Roberts’ patience with Justin Turner has been rewarded. Now comes Yasiel Puig.

Turner, who had three homers and a .642 OPS through June 3 — amid calls for him to be lowered in the lineup — has seven homers and a 1.159 OPS since.

“Mechanically, I thought (Turner) was fine,” Roberts said. “The at-bats were quality. The contact point needed to be different for me, (but) with the adjustments that he made, he’s seeing some results.

Activated from the disabled list today, Puig makes his first start since June 2, and he has something to prove.

“Yasiel,” Roberts said, “mechanically wasn’t right.

Stephen Strasburg suddenly strained, scratched

By Jon Weisman

On June 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Stephen Strasburg (upper back strain) will not make his scheduled showcase start for the Nationals against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers tonight. Washington announced that Yusmeiro Petit (2.81 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) will take his place.

— Jon Weisman

Strasburg-Kershaw showdown at Dodger Stadium

By Jon Weisman

On June 20, 2016

In Pitching, Pregame

Matt Hazlett (Getty Images)/Jill Weisleder (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLVII: Kershawriots of Fire
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Here on this broiling first day of summer, Dodger Stadium showcases a red-hot pitching duel between Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg.

Strasburg is in his seventh big-league season, and he’s on his way to it being his finest: 2.90 ERA (2.83 FIP), 1.07 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Kershaw, of course, has redefined remarkable: 1.58 ERA (1.64 FIP), 0.66 WHIP and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, plus that majestic 19.0 strikeout-walk ratio.

So far, the Nationals and Dodgers are each 13-1 when Strasburg and Kershaw start this season.

Dodgers recall Carlos Frias, option Mike Bolsinger

By Jon Weisman

On June 19, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Brewers at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Carlos Frias has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to bring a fresh arm to a tired Dodger pitching staff, with Mike Bolsinger being optioned down.

This move materialized as a likely possibility when Frias didn’t make a scheduled long-relief appearance Saturday, shortly before Bolsinger struggled to get seven outs.

Frias presumably could take Bolsinger’s turn in the rotation, but could be needed out of the bullpen first. In the past seven days, Dodger relievers have needed to face 96 batters, an average of 13.7 per day. The Dodgers have an off day Thursday, when Bolsinger was next scheduled to start.

How did Turner turn his season around?

By Jon Weisman

On June 18, 2016

In Hitting, Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”828797183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Brewers at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernández, RF
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

It’s been two weeks since Dave Roberts offered his diagnosis of what was holding back Justin Turner’s offense.

“When I know Justin is at his best, (it’s) when he’s elevating to the pull side,” Roberts said. “For me, right now there’s too many balls in the air the other way. The contact point’s a little deep, (and) he might be getting underneath the baseball a little bit.

“When you’re not getting hits, it’s kind of a natural move to try to see the ball longer. It’s just a natural move to back the baseball up a little bit … but sometimes it can be a little bit counter-productive.”

In 12 games (11 starts) since that moment, Turner is 15 for 45 with three walks, three doubles and five homers, including the pair he hit Friday before he won the game with a walkoff single in the 10th inning. The 31-year-old is third in the National League in wins above replacement in that time and tied for second in home runs.

As for whether Turner is elevating to the pull side? You be the judge. Here’s his spray chart since June 4 …

What kind of a teammate is Julio Urías?

By Jon Weisman

On June 17, 2016

In Pregame

https://twitter.com/LosDodgers/status/743906979999940608

Brewers at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Will Venable, RF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

For a couple hours every five days, Julio Urías takes the mound under the spotlight, standing alone on the mound.

For the remaining 118 hours of each cycle through the Dodger starting rotation, (for however long he’s in it this season), the teenage rookie is just another Dodger teammate, spending his days and nights with players who are anywhere from three to 18 years older.

“That’s where that confidence has to come through — and has,” Dave Roberts said.

So what’s he been like?

Clayton Kershaw’s eccentric experience at Chase Field

By Jon Weisman

On June 15, 2016

In Pregame

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 12:40 p.m.
Kershaw CCLVI: Kersh Off the Boat
Kiké Hernández, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, RF
Adrian González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Chase Field has been a mixed bag for baseball’s best pitcher.

Clayton Kershaw pitches there today for the first time since April 11, 2015, when Arizona scored in four different innings — five earned runs in all — in what was his roughest outing of the season.

It was Kershaw’s worst performance since May 17, 2014, when he was knocked out with seven runs in 1 2/3 innings — also at Chase Field.

In between, however, Kershaw one of his vintage starts, striking out 10 while allowing only an unearned run over eight innings at Chase on August 27, 2014.

Overall, Kershaw has a 3.90 ERA in 67 career innings at Arizona. Exactly half of his 12 appearances there have been quality starts, and the Dodgers are 5-7 in those games. On the seven occasions Kershaw has allowed more than one run at Chase, the Dodgers are 1-6.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 6 of 32)

‘Put me in,’ said McCarthy — and Dodgers agreed

Joc Pederson joins Kershaw on 15-day disabled list

Clayton Kershaw having back examined in Los Angeles

When your front’s to the wall

The unabridged list of Clayton Kershaw walks in 2016

Chris Taylor promoted, Nick Tepesch designated

Will Venable designated for assignment

Hearing issue doesn’t affect Louis Coleman on mound

Roberts will study Puig’s mechanics in his return

Stephen Strasburg suddenly strained, scratched

Strasburg-Kershaw showdown at Dodger Stadium

Dodgers recall Carlos Frias, option Mike Bolsinger

How did Turner turn his season around?

What kind of a teammate is Julio Urías?

Clayton Kershaw’s eccentric experience at Chase Field

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