Transactions – Page 8 – Dodger Thoughts

Carl Crawford to disabled list, Micah Johnson recalled

On April 9, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Giants, 1:05 p.m.
Kershaw XXXLIV: Kershawrace and Pete
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Charlie Culberson, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back tightness, and the Dodgers have recalled Micah Johnson from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported Friday, Crawford has been dealing with the back issue since the middle of Spring Training.

Crawford, who has missed at least a month a season with an injury for each of the last five years, said he has had occasional lower-back issues in the past that would “flare up and cool down.” He said he is particularly puzzled because he worked over the winter and spring specifically in an attempt to avoid injuries.

“It seems like the opposite happened,” he said. “I feel terrible about that. I really tried hard to maintain my strength in the core and back and I’m still having issues.”

Crawford was 3 for 11 with two RBI in the young 2016 season, playing 17 innings in three games in left field.

Johnson is a second baseman, but he started in left field Friday with Oklahoma City for the first time in his pro career. He was 3 for 9 in Triple-A in two games, after OPSing .841 in 2015 with 28 steals in 35 attempts.

Dodgers announce 2016 Opening Day roster

By Jon Weisman

On April 3, 2016

In Opening Day, Status report, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

The pieces have been falling together for the past several days, and now, the puzzle is in place. Here’s the Opening Day roster, the first under manager Dave Roberts, for the 2016 Los Angeles Dodgers …

Starting pitchers (5): Scott Kazmir, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Alex Wood

Relief pitchers (7): Pedro Baez, Joe Blanton, Louis Coleman, Yimi Garcia, Chris Hatcher, J.P. Howell, Kenley Jansen

Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, A.J. Ellis

Infielders (6): Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Kiké Hernandez, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chase Utley

Outfielders (5): Carl Crawford, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson, Scott Van Slyke

Disabled list (10): Brett Anderson (60-day), Mike Bolsinger, Andre Ethier, Yasmani Grandal, Alex Guerrero, Howie Kendrick, Brandon McCarthy(60-day), Frankie Montas(60-day), Josh Ravin, Hyun-Jin Ryu

Ross Smiling: Stripling describes his big-league arrival

By Jon Weisman

On April 1, 2016

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

In his own words, here’s Ross Stripling on being named the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter:

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

By Jon Weisman

On April 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Yimi Garcia and Pedro Baez in October 2015. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Ross Stripling has been named the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter and will take the mound April 8 at San Francisco, Dave Roberts announced, adding that Carlos Frias will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

We’ll have more on Stripling shortly in a separate post. In the meantime, here are some more news and notes …

Read More

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On March 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

As the Dodgers returned home from their wanderings in the desert, they took another step toward finalizing their Opening Day roster — with other steps remaining to go before Saturday morning deadline.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts said that Alex Guerrero remains at Camelback Ranch and will begin the season on the disabled list

“He had an MRI that showed minimal damage, but now we at least understand the discomfort and the pain he’s having in his knee,” Roberts said. “I really don’t know what the specifics were — I talked to the training staff, and whatever verbiage they used, it kind of validated some of the pain he’s been having.”

In other developments:

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On March 29, 2016

In Bullpen, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Adam Liberatore has struck out 11 in nine Cactus League innings this year.

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are down to two left-handers in their Major League bullpen after optioning Adam Liberatore to the minors following the team’s 5-4 victory Monday over Texas.

The question now is, will they go down to one?

Since we last checked in on the bullpen, it has been whittled in predictable fashion, leaving the following:

After 19 MLB seasons, Jamey Wright retires

By Jon Weisman

On March 28, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Love this guy!

A post shared by Jamey Wright (@thejameywright) on Mar 7, 2016 at 6:32am PST

Rangers at Dodgers 7:05 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Austin Barnes, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

If it was a longshot for Jamey Wright to make a comeback with the Dodgers at age 41, what a sweet longshot it was.

Wright, who allowed 16 baserunners in 6 2/3 Cactus League innings, announced today that he was retiring from baseball, after 19 Major league seasons and nearly 23 years after signing his first professional contract. He had a chance to say goodbye to the sport with his eyes wide open.

In case you missed it: Maeda rolls after getting a bit rocked

By Jon Weisman

On March 21, 2016

In In case you missed it, Postgame, Spring Training, Transactions

Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

It’s hard not to like what Kenta Maeda has brought to the U.S. so far.

Same with Justin Turner, even if the journey isn’t quite so far.

Urias, De Leon among seven sent to minors

By Jon Weisman

On March 17, 2016

In Minor leagues, Transactions

Ross Stripling pitching on March 6.

By Jon Weisman

Pitching prospects Julio Urias, Jose De Leon and Ross Stripling are among seven players the Dodgers sent to minor-league camp this afternoon.

From the 40-man roster, the Dodgers optioned second baseman Micah Johnson and pitchers Yaisel Sierra, Ian Thomas and Stripling. Non-roster players who were reassigned include De Leon, Urias and catcher Jack Murphy.

Johnson has made no errors despite leading Dodger infielders in playing time so far with 66 defensive innings, and is a likely callup at some point during the regular season.

Urias and De Leon have made the most noise among the pitchers, combining for eight strikeouts in nine innings, though it was actually Stripling who has had the best month. The 26-year-old right-hander, nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, pitched two shutout innings with four strikeouts in the Dodgers’ 5-1 loss to Kansas City today, and has six innings with a 0.00 ERA in Cactus League play.

Dave Roberts ruled out Ross Stripling breaking camp as 5th starter, but added "He's impressed us" #DodgersST

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 17, 2016

None of the aforementioned pitchers, however, was destined to start the season in the Majors — least of all Sierra, the recent Cuban signee who has yet to appear in a game.

Still alive in the competition for the fifth spot in the Dodger starting rotation (behind Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda and Alex Wood) are Brandon Beachy, Mike Bolsinger and Zach Lee. The Dodgers have only two off days in April after the regular season starts.

Making his first appearance today since March 7, Wood pitched three innings, allowing a run on five baserunners with one strikeout.

“It felt good, it was good,” Wood said, according to MLB.com’s Barry M. Bloom. “I had one goal and that was to be efficient, which was a little different from the last time out. I was happy I was able to do that.”

Another Dodger pitching highlight today came from Kenley Jansen, who struck out the side in his inning.

[mlbvideo id=”556706483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Yasiel Puig not to be suspended

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2016

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig has been cleared by Major League Baseball regarding an alleged incident last November, as MLB stated today.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has concluded its investigation into an alleged incident involving Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and his sister in a Miami-area nightclub on November 26, 2015. The investigation included interviews of witnesses, including Puig and his sister, as well as a review of video footage from inside the nightclub at the time of the alleged incident.

The Office of the Commissioner’s investigation did not uncover any witness who supported the assault allegation; both Puig and his sister denied that an assault occurred; and the available video evidence did not support the allegation. Thus, barring the receipt of any new information or evidence, no discipline will be imposed on Puig in connection with the alleged incident.

“The Dodgers are pleased with MLB’s findings following their thorough investigation,” the Dodgers said later in the afternoon in a statement. “Yasiel can now put this matter behind him and focus solely on the season ahead.”

Ken Gurnick has more at MLB.com on Puig, who homered today in the Dodgers’ 7-3 victory over Colorado.

There was a suspension in the Dodger family today, though it involved a player who never suited up for the organization. Minor-league right-hander Adrian Salcedo, who was acquired in November, received a 144-game suspension without pay, according to the commisioner’s office, “following a positive test for a metabolite of Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Program.” Salcedo was already serving a previous suspension incurred while with the Twins. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. adds some backstory.

Dodgers option Cotton, reassign seven to minor-league camp

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2016

In Transactions

Eric Gagne and Rick Honeycutt talk with Jharel Cotton on February 28.

This afternoon, the Dodgers made their first bulk cuts of Spring Training, optioning right-handed pitcher Jharel Cotton to minor league camp and reassigning non-roster pitchers Lisalverto Bonilla, Chase De Jong, Caleb Dirks, Jacob Rhame, Chris Anderson, outfielder Alex Hassan and catcher Kyle Farmer.

Cotton, Rhame, Anderson and Farmer are homegrown prospects, while De Jong, Dirks and Hassan were acquired within the past year. At 27, Hassan is the oldest, followed by the 25-year-old Bonilla (who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Farmer.

— Jon Weisman

In case you missed it: Sandy salute

By Jon Weisman

On February 26, 2016

In In case you missed it, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Though the legendary Sandy Koufax no longer has a formal role with the Dodgers, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com writes, that doesn’t mean he can’t stop by Camelback Ranch for a nice hello.

Jamey Wright returns to Dodgers on minor-league deal

By Jon Weisman

On February 24, 2016

In Transactions

Photos by Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jamey Wright pitching in his most recent Major League game, on September 27, 2014.

By Jon Weisman

Jamey Wright, who turned 41 exactly one month ago and who hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2014, has signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers and received a non-roster invitation to big-league Spring Training.

Wright has had two separate previous stints with the Dodgers, in 2012 (3.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 7.2 K/9) and 2014 (4.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 6.9 K/9). The 6-foot-6 right did not pitch professionally in 2015 after being cut by the Rangers in Spring Training.

July 3 marks the 20th anniversary of Wright’s MLB debut, which came for Colorado three years to the day after he signed with the Rockies, who drafted him in the first round (28th overall). Wright’s most recent MLB game came against the Rockies, on September 27, 2014.

He has pitched for 10 big-league teams: Colorado, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Texas, Seattle, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, St. Louis, Cleveland and the Dodgers.

Believe it or not, only four Dodgers have pitched in more games over the past four years than Wright’s 127: Kenley Jansen (262), J.P. Howell (200), Brandon League (149) and Ronald Belisario (145). Clayton Kershaw (126) can presumably tie Wright on Opening Day.

Dodgers sign Cuban RHP Yaisel Sierra

By Jon Weisman

On February 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, International, Transactions

MLB.com

By Jon Weisman

Now the Dodgers have a Yaisel to go with their Yasiel.

Yaisel Sierra, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher from Cuba, has signed a six-year deal with the Dodgers.

Ex-Royal Louis Coleman joins bullpen brigade

By Jon Weisman

On February 19, 2016

In Transactions

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Right-handed reliever Louis Coleman has signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers.

The 6-foot-4 Coleman, who turns 30 on Opening Day, is joining his first new organization since being drafted by the Royals in the fifth round in 2009 out of Louisiana State. He made his MLB debut in 2011, striking out 64 in 59 2/3 innings, and two years later had a 0.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings.

Though Coleman’s WHIP basically doubled in 2014, and he pitched only three big-league innings in 2015, he did have a 1.69 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 64 innings for Triple-A Omaha last season.

Coleman joins a group of righty relievers on the 40-man roster that includes Pedro Baez, Joe Blanton, Yimi Garcia, Chris Hatcher, Kenley Jansen and Josh Ravin.

The Dodgers placed LSU fan Brandon McCarthy on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Coleman. McCarthy has been expected to complete his recovery from Tommy John surgery by midseason.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Transactions (Page 8 of 36)

Carl Crawford to disabled list, Micah Johnson recalled

Dodgers announce 2016 Opening Day roster

Ross Smiling: Stripling describes his big-league arrival

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

After 19 MLB seasons, Jamey Wright retires

In case you missed it: Maeda rolls after getting a bit rocked

Urias, De Leon among seven sent to minors

Yasiel Puig not to be suspended

Dodgers option Cotton, reassign seven to minor-league camp

In case you missed it: Sandy salute

Jamey Wright returns to Dodgers on minor-league deal

Dodgers sign Cuban RHP Yaisel Sierra

Ex-Royal Louis Coleman joins bullpen brigade

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