Dan Haren – Dodger Thoughts

Dan Haren jokes about comeback on Twitter

On March 8, 2016

Dodgers at Cubs, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chase Utley, 3B
Andre Ethier, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Micah Johnson, 2B
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

Dan Haren, the one-time Dodger right-hander, has been nothing but fun since his retirement from baseball following the 2015 season. (If you want an extended sample, check out his recent appearance on the Jonah Keri Podcast.)

Anyway, when the Dodgers announced Brett Anderson’s surgery last week, it set Haren’s Twitter wheels in motion, as MLB.com’s Cut4 notes.

In case you missed it: Be there or Bedard

By Jon Weisman

On March 4, 2015

In In case you missed it

#DodgersST.

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Mar 4, 2015 at 8:19pm PST

By Jon Weisman

I’m knee-deep in the 2015 Dodger Yearbook and April 2015 Dodger Insider magazine — you’re going to like what you see in both.

Now, let’s finish off today …

Juan Nicasio received some nice compliments from his former team in Colorado — specifically Rockies manager Walt Weiss and general manager Jeff Bridich — via J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
Erik Bedard told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that he would accept a minor-league assignment out of Spring Training. That stands in contrast to Alex Guerrero, but of course, their contracts are structured quite differently — with Bedard on a minor-league deal to begin with — so it’s an apples-to-different-kind-of-apples comparison.
Brett Anderson threw to actual hitters for the first time in more than six months today, pitching two simulated innings and remaining on track to make a Cactus League start Monday. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has more.
By the way, Mike Bolsinger will start Saturday, while Brandon McCarthy will start Sunday, as Gurnick notes.
Juan Uribe likes the idea of winning a World Series every five years, given his past titles in 2005 with the White Sox and 2010 with the Giants, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Times.
Former Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst is now the Dodgers’ field coordinator of their Campo Las Palmas academy in the Dominican Republic, reports Gurnick.
Dan Haren has adjusted to becoming a Miami Marlin, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Rick Honeycutt is among the principals in this story by Matthew Kory at Vice about the “Dad Hat.”

In case you missed it: Kick in the pants edition

By Jon Weisman

On February 20, 2015

In Bullpen, History, In case you missed it

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Let’s see what’s underfoot …

Clayton Kershaw feels good but was very self-judgmental after his first bullpen session at Camelback, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
J.P. Howell and Joel Peralta are in their third city as teammates, writes Gurnick. (Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has more.)
Early arrival Yasiel Puig is the subject of this feature by MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, who writes that “this morning, he was taking hacks off the pitching machine with a slightly different mechanical intention, trying not to wrap the bat over his head as much in his stance and keeping his hands just a tad farther from his right shoulder.”
Here’s how Corey Seager is out to make a good first impression, according to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.
Dan Haren officially reported to Spring Training for the Marlins, as this Associated Press story indicates.
David Schoenfield of ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot looks at some of the key non-roster invitees of the National League West.
Dick Young’s February 1957 story on the Dodgers’ purchase of Wrigley Field in Los Angeles was reprinted today by the New York Daily News.
Here’s a video clip from Thursday of Andrew Friedman and Don Mattingly discussing the Dodgers’ bullpen situation, courtesy of SportsNet LA.

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And more from social media …

Andrew Friedman speaks about Wednesday’s trades

By Jon Weisman

On December 11, 2014

In Front office, Transactions

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By Jon Weisman

In the wee hours, Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Freidman discussed Wednesday’s exchange of players with the Marlins and Angels. Above is some video, below are some excerpts …

Just another day in the offseason …

By Jon Weisman

On November 12, 2014

In Social media

… for Dan Haren, A.J. Ellis and Dee Gordon.

— Jon Weisman

Dan Haren confirms return for 2015

By Jon Weisman

On October 30, 2014

In Transactions

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Right-handed pitcher Dan Haren has exercised his option to play for the Dodgers in 2015.

Haren had a 4.02 ERA and 4.09 FIP with the Dodgers in 2014, striking out 145 batters in 186 innings while allowing 222 baserunners. In his final 10 starts of the 2014 season, Haren had a 2.43 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. He turned 34 in September.

His best start came June 30 against Cleveland, when he allowed two baserunners in seven shutout innings on the night the Dodgers moved into first place in the National League West after a 9 1/2-game deficit.

— Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4, Dan Haren part of nine-man bullpen in Game 3

By Jon Weisman

On October 6, 2014

In Pitching, Postseason, Pregame

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Dodgers at Cardinals, 6:37 p.m.
Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P
–
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Matt Adams, 1B
Yadier Molina, C
Jon Jay, CF
Kolten Wong, 2B
John Lackey, P

By Jon Weisman

All remaining mystery about Dan Haren’s role in the 2014 National League Division Series has been eliminated. He has been set up as tonight’s long reliever, and Clayton Kershaw has been announced by Don Mattingly as the Game 4 starter.

Nine of Haren’s 11 career relief appearances came 10 seasons ago as a newbie with the Cardinals. The 10th came 2 1/2 years ago in the 14th inning with the Angels, and he pitched a perfect inning. The 11th was in August 2013 with Washington, and he gave up a single while throwing another shutout inning.

In neither of those two recent occasions was he asked to rush into the game. So if Hyun-Jin Ryu got into any trouble early tonight in his first outing in nearly a month, you would no doubt see a short reliever in for damage control, while Haren took his time in the bullpen to get himself ready for the start of an inning.

Haren’s last competitive action came September 27, so he’s on eight days’ rest right now. He had a 2.43 ERA in his final 10 starts of the regular season with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings and 50 baserunners in 59 1/3 innings. He had seven quality starts out of those 10.

Dan Haren has a 1.70 ERA in his past seven starts

By Jon Weisman

On September 10, 2014

In Midgame, Pitching

Dan Haren, to say the least, has stepped up. He has also gone 94 batters since he last allowed a home run.

– Jon Weisman

Dan Haren has a 2.70 ERA in his past four starts

By Jon Weisman

On August 22, 2014

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

Dan Haren’s third pitch was a microcosm of the fears of Dodger fans. His next 86 pitches summed up all their dreams.

Haren quickly bounced back after a leadoff home run by Curtis Granderson to retire 21 of his final 23 batters, allowing two hits, walking none and striking out six, in the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory over the New York Mets tonight.

With his third strong start in his past four, Haren lowered his ERA over his past 23 1/3 innings to 2.70, with 20 strikeouts and only four walks.

Haren also had a night of extremes at the plate. He bunted into a double play with two on in the third inning, ahead of Dee Gordon’s game-tying RBI, then missed a suicide squeeze in the fifth, before singling home the go-ahead run. Haren leads Dodger pitchers with five RBI in 2014.

Two innings later, the Dodgers took advantage of a key Mets error (sandwiched by Dee Gordon’s MLB-leading 11th triple of 2014 and Matt Kemp’s two-run double for three unearned runs to bust the game open. Gordon was 3 for 5 tonight. A.J. Ellis added an RBI double down the right-field line in the eighth for the Dodgers’ final run.

From the magazine: The quirks that work

By Jon Weisman

On August 21, 2014

In Pitching

Wanted to share this fun feature by Cary Osborne from the August edition of Dodger Insider magazine that looks at the oddities in the pitching motions for such Dodgers as Clayton Kershaw and J.P. Howell. Click on each image below to enlarge the pages.

— Jon Weisman

Bottom’s up for the Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On August 12, 2014

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

They call it the back of the Dodger starting rotation, Retread City, but look what it’s done lately.

That’s some good stuff there. Dan Haren turned in his second straight solid performance in tonight’s 4-2 victory over Atlanta, the Dodgers’ seventh straight over the Braves dating back to Game 3 of the 2013 National League Championship Series.

Haren and the Dodgers got some great defensive help from Darwin Barney in his first start with the team. Barney also singled in a run and scored another. Carl Crawford, in his first leadoff start of the season against a left-hander, had three hits and is now 8 for his last 12 at the plate.

Dodgers find the Haren necessities

By Jon Weisman

On August 6, 2014

In Midgame, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

How effective was Dan Haren tonight? In matching his longest outing of the season in innings, he had his second-shortest start of the season in pitches.

Victory march: What comes after four?

By Jon Weisman

On July 30, 2014

In Pregame

Early bunting practice for @flashGJr: Three strikes and watch out! https://t.co/Xsb700QCo1

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 30, 2014

Braves at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

So now that the Dodgers have won four games in a row, I’m guessing the next thing you want is five. You fans, you’re so incorrigible.

Well, the last time the Dodgers won five games in a row, they won six. That was from August 28 to September 3, completing the team’s bold 53-13 run from 30-42 (and 9 1/2 games out of first place in the National League West) to 83-55.

This year’s Dodgers — whom, it should be noted, haven’t been below .500 all season — are 28-16 (.636) since falling 9 1/2 games behind San Francisco. Earlier today, the Giants ended their six-game losing streak by rallying to defeat Pittsburgh, 7-5.

Elsewhere …

Trivia: Who are the three Dodgers this year with more triples than home runs? Answer below.
Don Mattingly told reporters today that after Zack Greinke pitches today and Clayton Kershaw on Thursday, he plans to start Dan Haren on Friday — Haren’s first start since July 23. Hyun-Jin Ryu on Saturday will pitch on five days’ rest.
A well-timed article by Daniel Brim of Dodgers Digest before Tuesday’s game: “Matt Kemp’s Offense Is Not the Problem.”
Brim also looked at Kenley Jansen’s increased and effective use of the slider.
How dominant is Clayton Kershaw? Answer No. 4,123,259: Kershaw has a higher on-base percentage while batting than he has allowed while pitching.
Answer No. 4,123,260: “I’ve never been around anyone who is as consistent as Clayton,” A.J. Ellis told John Perrotto of Sports on Earth. “He would be a great character actor, because he would never come out of character.”
Here’s a close inspection of Yasiel Puig’s three triples Friday, from Steven Silverman at Beyond the Box Score.
Trivia answer: Dee Gordon (10 triples, two homers), Andre Ethier (five triples, four homers), Miguel Olivo (one triple, zero homers).

Down-and-up performance leaves Haren’s status unclear

By Jon Weisman

On July 24, 2014

In Pitching

Seven of first 11 batters against Dan Haren reached base. None of last 11 batters reached base. Baseball.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 24, 2014

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers play only three games over the next 130 hours, and you can make the argument that all that off time couldn’t come at a better time.

With two off days over the next five, Josh Beckett will have six days between starts and Dan Haren will likely be off for at least the rest of the month, if not in a swingman role like Paul Maholm. The earliest the Dodgers absolutely need a fifth starter is August 2, nine days from now and two days after the non-waiver trade dealine.

Haren’s status and whether he might be replaced as the Dodgers’ fifth starter by a trade is drawing major speculation. Since May 1, the 33-year-old righty has a 5.32 ERA and opponents’ OPS of .831, and is allowing a home run every 4.8 innings. And since throwing seven shutout innings of one-hit ball on the last day of June, Haren has lasted 19 innings in four July starts with a 9.47 ERA and opponents’ OPS of 1.012, which is like facing a lineup of nine Mike Trouts.

Here’s what Haren himself told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“I know we talked a while back about off days,” said Haren. “I’ll do anything for the team and if it means I get skipped, I totally understand. I’m not going to march into the office. I’ve got to earn their respect to go back out there.

“It’s really gotten away from me the last four times out. I was having a great year, I felt great throwing the ball, then a few starts ago it kind of snowballed and everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.”

It has to be vexing for Haren that, after allowing four runs in the first inning and a second-inning home run to Travis Snider, he was then able to set down the final 11 batters he faced on four groundouts, six strikeouts and one soft fly out. Though that might seem encouraging, the postgame comments from Haren and Don Mattingly did not reflect that sentiment.

One one-hitter later, and Dodgers are No. 1 in West

By Jon Weisman

On June 30, 2014

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

It was the play of the game, early in the game. With David Murphy (who had walked) on second and two out, Miguel Rojas dove to his left to flag a sharp shot up the middle by Michael Bourn off Dan Haren that had RBI stamped and scribbled all over it.

Rojas jumped to his feet and threw to first, and Bourn was called out.

The bad news for the Dodgers: Upon further review, the call was reversed.

The good news for the Dodgers: Cleveland had no more baserunners the rest of the game.

Yes, there but for the grace of replay went the Dodgers’ third no-hitter in six weeks. Really.

But there, thanks to the grace of Clint Robinson, the Dodgers moved into first place in the National League West for the first time since April 24.

Coming to the plate in a scoreless game in the bottom of the seventh inning, after Andre Ethier had tripled with none out and pinch-hitter Hanley Ramirez had been intentionally walked with two out, Robinson grounded a 3-2 pitch almost to the same spot that Bourn hit his ball, but this – Robinson’s first Major League hit – had enough moxie to get through for the RBI that gave the Dodgers a 1-0 victory over Cleveland.

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Robinson was batting for Haren, who faced 23 batters and retired all but the aforementioned two, striking out five. Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen were perfect in closing out the game.

Dodger pitchers have …

a 0.33 ERA in their past three games with 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.
a 1.14 ERA in their past seven games with 67 strikeouts in 63 innings.
a 1.81 ERA in their past 14 games with 124 strikeouts in 124 2/3 innings.

And the Dodgers have won 16 of their past 22 games, gaining 10 games on San Francisco in 22 days.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Dan Haren (Page 1 of 2)

Dan Haren jokes about comeback on Twitter

In case you missed it: Be there or Bedard

In case you missed it: Kick in the pants edition

Andrew Friedman speaks about Wednesday’s trades

Dan Haren confirms return for 2015

Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4, Dan Haren part of nine-man bullpen in Game 3

Dan Haren has a 1.70 ERA in his past seven starts

Dan Haren has a 2.70 ERA in his past four starts

From the magazine: The quirks that work

Bottom’s up for the Dodgers

Dodgers find the Haren necessities

Victory march: What comes after four?

Down-and-up performance leaves Haren’s status unclear

One one-hitter later, and Dodgers are No. 1 in West

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