Dodger Thoughts

On August 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

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.

The Johnny Wholestaff Dodgers: Just get the outs

On August 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Status report

By Jon Weisman

The 1916 National League champion Brooklyn Superbas used 10 pitchers to throw their 1,427 1/3 innings.

The 2016 Los Angeles Dodgers used 15 pitchers to throw 54 innings last week.

Some people — even those under the age of 100, have noticed the difference.

#VinTop20: No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam

On August 15, 2016

In Broadcasting, History

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 19: Manny Ramirez’s pinch-hit grand slam on his Bobblehead Night.

— Jon Weisman

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Dodgers All-Access returns September 1

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

On August 15, 2016

In Dodger Stadium

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

The third-annual Dodgers All-Access event will take place September 1 at Dodger Stadium, beginning at 5 p.m.

The evening features panel discussions with current and former Dodger players, coaches and executives. Guests will also have the opportunity to take batting practice in the Dodger batting cages, pitch in the Dodger bullpen, tour Dodger Stadium, call play-by-play action on historic Dodger moments, take photos throughout the stadium with Dodger alumni and enjoy a dinner on the infield.

Among those scheduled to take part in the panel discussions are Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, Dave Roberts, Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi. Others set to participate in the event include Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, Mickey Hatcher, Orel Hershiser, Eric Karros, Tommy Lasorda, Bill Russell, Reggie Smith and Steve Yeager.

Proceeds from the event will be split between the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Council, which partners with the City of Los Angeles to bring such major sporting and entertainment events to Los Angeles as NBA All-Star Weekend, the Grammys and more.

Challenge accepted: After 10 years in the Majors, Howie Kendrick reinvents himself

Read the entire story by clicking here.

On August 15, 2016

In Profiles, Publications

By Jon Weisman

Howie Kendrick had one of his best weeks as a Dodger over the past seven days, going 10 for 21 with a walk, a home run and five doubles for a 1.357 OPS.

At this moment, Kendrick’s adjusted OPS for the 2016 season is 100, which is the equivalent of league average. But this has been anything but an ordinary season for Kendrick, who had to adjust to becoming the Dodgers’ primary left fielder after spending the previous 10 seasons almost entirely at second base.

In the cover story of the most recent Dodger Insider magazine, we talked to Kendrick as we detailed the transition.

“I learned a long time ago you have to put your ego and your pride on the backburner and just go out and play,” said Kendrick, who already has met or exceeded his 2015 totals in doubles, walks and stolen bases. “Because all that matters is, is your team going to win the game? What can you do to help your team win that day?”

Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.

Brandon McCarthy, Josh Ravin placed on disabled list

On August 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

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.

Dodgers weather McCarthy’s troubles in 8-4 win

In Health/injuries, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

There are more questions about Brandon McCarthy, but at least the Dodgers had multiple answers for their two-game losing streak.

#VinTop20: No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

In Uncategorized

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 20: Mark McGwire hits a ball out of Dodger Stadium.

— Jon Weisman

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Hill, Norris, Liberatore set for rehab outings

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.

Dodgers show that starter innings aren’t everything

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

Scott Kazmir went six innings. Ross Stripling went seven innings.

Suddenly, the Dodger starting rotation is starting to get more length. The only asterisk is that neither performance led to a victory.

Winning 23 of their first 36 games since Clayton Kershaw’s injury, the Dodgers have proven that starting pitching isn’t everything, and over the past two games, they’ve made that argument more perversely. Instead of winning without it, they’re losing with it.

Brett Anderson to make 2016 debut Sunday

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Uncategorized

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Brett Anderson’s beard has gotten a lot longer since you last saw him in a big-league game. But his wait has gotten a lot shorter.

Two games from now, Anderson will make his first official start of 2016, taking the mound in the Dodgers’ series finale Sunday against the Pirates.

“I’m excited for Brett — it’s been a long road for him,” Dave Roberts said. “So to get him back, I think is obviously a good thing for us.

Sidelined by March back surgery, Anderson pitched a career-high 180 1/3 innings in 2015 with a 3.69 ERA. He made 18 quality starts last season and pitched at least five innings in 26 out of 31 games.

Anderson will follow Brandon McCarthy, who worked through some mechanical issues in two bullpen sessions this week and will make his scheduled start on Saturday.

“Just getting the natural feel back,” McCarthy said. “It felt very normal this week. … It wasn’t anything huge, but got to see what that leads to.

“A couple of things get off base and you feel screwy, and then it turns into you do’t believe you can execute something because your body’s not in position to allow you to execute it, so it just kinds of compounds upon itself. It feels like something’s been found now, so just making sure that’s it. It’s a very basic thing, but it’s something you can get away from quickly.”

Joe Blanton returns, Luis Avilan optioned

In Pregame, Transactions

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.

Stars (and stripes) for Kershaw at Ping Pong 4 Purpose

In Celebrities, Community

[mlbvideo id=”1041072283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Thursday’s fourth annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose proved once again to be a happy and fun fundraiser for Kershaw’s Challenge. Here are some photo highlights on a night when Will Ferrell (wearing a Vic Davalillo jersey) was the emcee, Susan Sarandon was a special guest, Dennis Gilbert was the honoree, but Clayton Kershaw’s outfit was the star.

— Jon Weisman

You tweet the call: Who’s the most underrated Dodger?