Dodger Thoughts

Dodgers send Yasiel Puig, Ross Stripling to minors

On August 2, 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
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig has been sent to the minors, along with Ross Stripling, to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick and reliever Jesse Chavez.

Rich Hill remains on the disabled list, which he is eligible to return from Thursday if he’s ready. (Technically, Hill is now the 23rd Dodger on the disabled list this year, setting a National League record.) Relief pitcher Josh Fields will also report to the minors.

The Dodgers are expected to comment later today about Puig, who is being optioned to the minors (as opposed to going on a rehab assignment) for the first time since March 26, 2013, when the team sent him to Double-A Chattanooga after his first Spring Training.

Puig’s transaction history appears below (click to enlarge):

Ping Pong 4 Purpose returns August 11 to aid Kershaw’s Challenge

By Jon Weisman

On August 2, 2016

In Community

Audrey Van Slyke, Eric Stonestreet, Scott Van Slyke and Clayton Kershaw at the 2015 Ping Pong 4 Purpose event at Dodger Stadium (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw’s back isn’t back, but his service for the community remains front and center.

The fourth annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose event, benefiting Kershaw’s Challenge, will take place August 11 at Dodger Stadium.

Will Ferrell will co-host the celebrity ping-pong tournament with Kershaw and his wife Ellen. The night will feature past and present Dodger players, as well celebrity guests scheduled to include Susan Sarandon, Eric Stonestreet, George Lopez, Anthony Anderson, Mike Epps, Rob Riggle, Omar Miller, Claire Holt, Troy Garity, Mario Lopez, Emily Osment, Becca Tilley, Ben Lyons, Diplo, Tyler Toffoli and Anze Kopitar.

The evening’s top honoree will be Dennis Gilbert, the former agent and founder of the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation.

Pennant Race Ticket Plan unveiled for stretch run

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Tickets

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

As we head into the final two months of the regular season, the Dodgers are offering a special Pennant Race Ticket Plan at dodgers.com/welovela.

Live-blog: Farhan Zaidi talks post-deadline Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Outfield, Status report, Transactions

New guys. #WeLoveLA pic.twitter.com/pikYuDV3sq

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 1, 2016

By Jon Weisman

Farhan Zaidi is speaking to reporters today about the state of the Dodgers after today’s three trades that yielded Rich Hill and Josh Reddick, Jesse Chavez and Josh Fields, at the cost of Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas, Mike Bolsinger and Yordan Alvarez. We’ll live-blog his comments as they come, beginning shortly after 3:30 p.m. …

Dodgers acquire Josh Fields from Astros

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Josh Fields (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

In another Deadline Day move, the Dodgers acquired right-handed reliever Josh Fields from the Astros for minor-league first baseman Yordan Alvarez.

To make room Fields on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers moved Hyun-Jin Ryu to the 60-day disabled list. If healthy, Ryu is eligible to come off the disabled list after the first week of September.

Mike Bolsinger traded for Jesse Chavez

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Transactions

Jesse Chavez (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

In an exchange of right-handed pitchers, the Dodgers have acquired Jesse Chavez and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays for Mike Bolsinger.

Chavez, who turns 33 on August 21, has a 1.28 WHIP and 4.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings this year for Toronto. The previous two seasons, he pitched mostly as a starter for Oakland, with a 3.83 ERA from 2014-15.

The 28-year-old Bolsinger had a 4.27 ERA in 137 innings with the Dodgers over the past two seasons, highlighted by a 2.83 ERA in his first 16 games with Los Angeles last year.

Dodgers acquire Josh Reddick, Rich Hill

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Transactions

Josh Reddick (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Rich Hill (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

With less than three hours remaining in the 2016 non-waiver trade deadline, the Dodgers have made their first move. It might not be their only one.

The Dodgers have acquired left-handed hitting outfielder Josh Reddick and left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, in exchange for minor-league right-handers Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas.

The 29-year-old Reddick has a career-high .368 on-base percentage and 124 OPS+ this year in 272 plate appearances for Oakland. (He missed five weeks after fracturing his left thumb on a slide May 19.) His 121 weighted runs created is 12th among MLB right fielders.

Against right-handed pitching, Reddick has a .955 OPS this season.

Hey @RealJoshReddick you should ask to still be #22.

— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson3737) August 1, 2016

Hill has had an unusual career. At age 36, in his 12th Major League season, he has only 576 big-league innings to his name. He actually is on the disabled list right now, dating back to July 20, because of a blister issue. He also missed pitching in June because of a left groin strain.

However, when healthy in 2016, he has dominated, throwing 76 innings in 14 starts with a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Man of the People: Adrián González gives his all to L.A.

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Publications

By Jon Weisman

Since his much publicized two starts off June 26-27 in Pittsburgh, Adrián González’s production has been on the rise. Over his past 27 games, the 34-year-old first baseman has a .421 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage and .921 OPS.

At the same time, González’s power in the Dodger community is as high as ever. That’s the thrust of Cary Osborne’s cover story for the most recent Dodger Insider magazine. Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín explains why:

“Not since the days of Fernando Valenzuela have we had somebody who makes an impact … like Adrian has,” Jarrín said. “It took him just a few weeks for the community to get behind him because he’s a professional. The baseball fans respect his responsibility — the way he prepares himself to play. And outside the diamond he’s a real gentleman. He goes out to the community. I am so glad to see that because the community needs heroes, and he has become, after Fernando, the hero that we expected of him.”

Read the entire story by clicking here.

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.

Video: Vin Scully on E:60

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Broadcasting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nuBHtxw30Q

If you haven’t watched Jeremy Schaap’s E:60 interview with Vin Scully yet, enjoy.

— Jon Weisman

Dodgers stamp successful July with 14-3 victory

By Jon Weisman

On July 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Postgame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Throughout July, Dodger bats and relievers had carried Los Angeles through their first full month without Clayton Kershaw. On the final day before August, they summed it up in one rollicking package.

Dodgers activate Hernandez, option Barnes

By Jon Weisman

On July 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Kike Hernandez, Dave Roberts and Luke Walton and son pose prior to Saturday’s game.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Chris Taylor, 2B
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

One month and four days since his last game for the Dodgers, Kiké Hernandez has been activated from the disabled list, where he has been recovering from left rib cage inflammation.

To make room on the 25-man roster, Austin Barnes has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Barnes doubled in four at-bats during his most recent stint with the Dodgers.

Hernandez has a .280 on-base percentage while slugging .346 this season for Los Angeles.

In other recent news for the Dodgers, who scored runs in the seventh and ninth innings Saturday but fell to Arizona, 4-2 …

Catcher steals make a rare return for Dodger offense

By Jon Weisman

On July 30, 2016

In Pregame

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.

A landslide of emotion for Vin Scully at LADF gala

By Jon Weisman

On July 29, 2016

In Community, Dodger Stadium

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIbqZZ-Dpy7/

By Jon Weisman

Stevie Nicks said she was backstage Thursday during the Los Angeles Dodger Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala when she began to think about time. Nicks started performing with Mick Fleetwood nearly 50 years ago, and the years were something to contemplate.

And then her thoughts turned to Vin Scully, the night’s honoree whom the members of Fleetwood Mac met before their performance began, and his 67 seasons of service to the Dodgers, and she was blown away.

Nicks then dedicated the ballad “Landslide” to the Dodgers’ Hall of Fame announcer.

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older too

Trivia: 100-inning pitchers and the Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On July 28, 2016

In Trivia

You just can't have enough Kenta Maedas.

It’s always good to have a Kenta Maeda stunt double on reserve.

By Jon Weisman

Among the rarities of this Dodger season, it’s increasingly likely the 2016 team will have only three pitchers finish the year with at least 100 innings — the lowest number in franchise history.

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

Page 46 of 381

Dodgers send Yasiel Puig, Ross Stripling to minors

Ping Pong 4 Purpose returns August 11 to aid Kershaw’s Challenge

Pennant Race Ticket Plan unveiled for stretch run

Live-blog: Farhan Zaidi talks post-deadline Dodgers

Dodgers acquire Josh Fields from Astros

Mike Bolsinger traded for Jesse Chavez

Dodgers acquire Josh Reddick, Rich Hill

Man of the People: Adrián González gives his all to L.A.

Video: Vin Scully on E:60

Dodgers stamp successful July with 14-3 victory

Dodgers activate Hernandez, option Barnes

Catcher steals make a rare return for Dodger offense

Yasiel Puig remains out of starting lineup

A landslide of emotion for Vin Scully at LADF gala

Trivia: 100-inning pitchers and the Dodgers

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