Erisbel Arruebarrena – Dodger Thoughts

Dodgers suspend Erisbel Arruebarrena

On May 4, 2016

Erisbel Arruebarrena watches Corey Seager in a 2015 Spring Training game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Erisbel Arruebarrena watches Corey Seager turn a double play in a 2015 Spring Training game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Rays, 4:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Corey Seager, SS
Charlie Culberson, 3B
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

For the second year in a row, the Dodgers have suspended infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena.

Dodger director of player development Gabe Kapler confirmed the suspension, which was for repeated failure to comply with the terms of his contract.

Arruebarrena was signed in February 2014. A defensive whiz, he went 8 for 41 with a double, three walks and 17 strikeouts for the Dodgers that season, and was 2 for 4 as the shortstop the day of Josh Beckett’s no-hitter.

Farhan Zaidi discusses Dodger draft signings

By Jon Weisman

On July 17, 2015

In Draft, Pregame

#Dodgers prepare for tonight's game in D.C. pic.twitter.com/d5PLtUn6Jo

— Jon SooHoo (@JonSooHooPics) July 17, 2015

Dodgers at Nationals, 4:05 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

Hours before they started the second half of their season in Washington, the Dodgers met the deadline for singing players from the 2015 amateur draft by locking up first-round draft choice Walker Buehler, sixth-rounder Edwin Rios and 30th-rounder Logan Crouse.

Buehler’s signing came amid some media reports today that he had an elbow issue.

“We’re not going to comment on anything medically related to Walker,” Dodger general manager Farhan Zaidi said. “We’re obviously excited to have him on board. He finished the college season strong, obviously pitched in the College World Series.”

Rios, who had a .421 on-base percentage and .591 slugging percentage with 18 home runs in 61 games for Florida International in his junior season this year, was the only corner infielder in the first 10 rounds of Dodger draft selections. Negotiations went down to the wire.

“We went really pitching heavy,” Zaidi said, “so being able to get a college bat with some polish and hopefully the ability to hit in the middle of the lineup is exciting. It took a little bit of time to hammer out the deal, so the lost development time is unfortunate, but we’re obviously excited to have him now. We’ll start him out in Arizona and hopefully move out to one of the other clubs shortly thereafter.”

In case you missed it: The Yellowship of the Ring

By Jon Weisman

On June 22, 2015

In In case you missed it

https://instagram.com/p/4OC-IhHmJs/

By Jon Weisman

Kiké Hernandez and his minions took it to the next level Sunday on the flight to Chicago after the Dodgers’ 10-2 victory over San Francisco. Can Bananarama singing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium be far behind?

After all, on the day of the solstice, the Dodgers started out what they hope will be a cruel, cruel summer for the Giants with a 10-2 victory that increased Los Angeles’ lead in the National League West to 1 1/2 games.

Here are some notes from the weekend …

In case you missed it: Bobblesplash

By Jon Weisman

On May 22, 2015

In In case you missed it

[mlbvideo id=”125609583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

These bobblehead ads just get better and better — with more special effects! Which mini-Dodger will get the Emmy?

Here are a few quick items that popped up recently …

Hyun-Jin Ryu had his surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder Thursday, and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has the update.

… The degree of Ryu’s tear (and presumably any accompanying damage) is being portrayed by the club as relatively minor. By comparison to the high rate of return to success for Tommy John patients, the record of pitchers returning from shoulder labrum operations to reclaim their prior form is checkered.

The injury was once considered career-ending, but recent medical advances have improved the chances.

Comeback stories range from successes Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling to unfortunate endings like Jason Schmidt, Mark Prior and Mark Mulder. The most recent successful return from the operation is Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda. …
On the anniversary of his initial callup to the Major Leagues, shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena was suspended by the Dodgers for the remainder of the 2015 season due to repeated failures to comply with his contract. More from Gurnick here.
The Dodgers’ 31-inning scoreless streak is put into historical context by Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
Hey, we could use some positive news. Here’s one: Joc Pederson’s swing gets an analytical love note from Ryan Parker of Baseball Prospectus.
David Schoenfield of ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot looks at the relative strengths and weakness of the Giants and Dodgers going forward.
Bill Shaikin of the Times looks at the fortunes and misfortunes of the Dodgers’ next opponent, San Diego.
Here’s a history of the eephus pitch, from Jonah Keri at Grantland.
At age 38, twice former Dodger lefty Randy Wolf is pitching for Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate, and he tells John Lott of the National Post (via MLB Trade Rumors) that he’s just “enjoying the moment,” regardless of whether he returns to the Majors. “When you retire you can do a lot of things in your life,” Wolf said. “But as far as the baseball aspect, it’s like death. You’re going to be dead a lot longer than you live.”

In case you missed it nightcap: Up, down and away

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In In case you missed it, Transactions

Those home runs had me like: pic.twitter.com/sYf8Sc47pk

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 16, 2015

By Jon Weisman

Today’s resounding comeback victory — 10-5 after trailing 4-0 — didn’t forestall Austin Barnes, O’Koyea Dickson or Erisbel Arruebarrena being optioned to minor league camp after the game.

Here are some notes and news to take in before bedtime …

It’s a fantabulous night for a moondance, and for reading this Eric Nusbaum profile at Vice Sports about “The Likable, Unlikely Career of Juan Uribe.”
Zack Greinke went back to his old slider grip during an outing today that he considered an improvement, reports True Blue L.A.’s Eric Stephen, who adds an interesting quote from Greinke about the Alamo and Ozzy Osbourne.
Chad Gaudin hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2013, but count him among the relievers making a strong bid to be a factor in the bullpen this year, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Gaudin pitched a perfect sixth inning today, striking out Stephen Vogt and Mark Canha.
Yimi Garcia, who threw a scoreless inning today, has retired 13 of 15 batters he has faced this spring.
New commissioner Rob Manfred visited the Dodgers today, as Gurnick notes, and part of the conversation was the long-overdue return of the All-Star Game to Los Angeles. No MLB team has gone longer without one than the Dodgers, who last hosted in 1980.
The official dedication of the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication at Bradley will be held March 31.
Two oldie but goodie former Dodgers each signed minor-league deals today: 37-year-old Rafael Furcal with the Royals and 38-year-old Randy Wolf with the Blue Jays.
At ESPN.com, Anna McDonald writes about how Major League Baseball is dealing with anxiety and depression among its players.

If you care about such things or just like how they look, the Dodgers' 8-2-4 record so far in March translates to a .714 winning percentage.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2015

Livin’ in the future …

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”47807083″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Throughout my childhood, I would hear tales of Lew Alcindor leading the 1965-66 UCLA freshman men’s basketball team to victory over the UCLA varsity, which had merely won the NCAA title the season before.

The situation isn’t really the same, but if nothing else, the 2015 Dodger junior varsity gives a hint of what it must have been like to experience such excitement from the future.

Dodger prospects and reserves have been shining all spring long, but the eighth inning of today’s 10-5 victory over Oakland turned the brightness up to 10.

First, they tended the top of the eighth in dazzling fashion, with Erisbel Arruebarrena — playing out of position at second base — ranging far to his left to flag a ground ball, before doing a 180-degree turn to whip the ball to super-prospect Corey Seager, who stepped on second and fired to Kyle Jensen at first for an inning-ending double play.

[mlbvideo id=”47798183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Then in the home half of the inning at Camelback Ranch, Darnell Sweeney followed singles by Austin Barnes and Jensen and a walk to Seager with a grand slam — to the opposite field, no less.

Next, after Alex Guerrero singled and O’Koyea Dickson calmly took first base after being hit by a pitch, Scott Schebler hit a towering homer of his own to center field.

Before Schebler had finished getting high fives in the dugout, Chris Heisey homered to left, capping the eight-run eighth inning for the Dodgers, who are now 8-2-4 (.714) in Spring Training, in no small part because when the reserves come in, they have been fairly dominant.

Lest it be forgotten, the Dodgers were led in the early going by Darwin Barney, who went 3 for 3, and Joc Pederson, who walked once and made this catch in center field.

[mlbvideo id=”47708083″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Yeah, yeah — it’s March. But it’s been fun.

Arruebarrena, Seager, Urias among 17 non-roster Spring Training invitees

By Jon Weisman

On January 9, 2015

In Minor leagues, Transactions

Steve Saenz/Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers announced that they have invited 17 non-roster players to Spring Training in 2015, including infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena, who has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Here’s the list:

Dodgers officially sign Brett Anderson, designate Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment

By Jon Weisman

On December 30, 2014

In Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”34955929″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers have officially announced the signing of pitcher Brett Anderson to a one-year contract today, making room for him on the 40-man roster by designating shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment.

Anderson, who will turn 27 before Spring Training begins, has thrown 318 2/3 innings over the past five seasons while battling injuries (including 43 1/3 innings last year for Colorado with a 2.91 ERA), so sure, it’s optimistic to lock him in for 30-plus starts in 2015.

But the potential for the appearances he does make is high — he has a career 112 ERA+ — and fits with the Dodgers’ defensively enhanced infield.

Notebook: Three weeks to go …

By Jon Weisman

On September 8, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

For more photo highlights from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Padres at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCVI: Kershawffice Space
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

I’m starting today’s pregame notebook with perhaps the least relevant note, but today before batting practice, Erisbel Arruebarrena and Alex Guerrero were practicing 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double plays, and they put on a show in my eyes.

Arruebarrena has had some recent injury issues, but he was healthy today and back to showing as quick a release after fielding a grounder as you’ll ever see. And I know Guerrero doesn’t have as great a reputation at second base, but he looked smooth on the turn to me.

Of course, what do I know? For one thing, there weren’t any actual baserunners bearing down on Arruebarrena and Guerrero, but Don Mattingly agreed that they looked good, so there’s that.

In other notes:

The Dodgers have definitely benefited from the month that Clayton Kershaw missed, Mattingly said, in terms of being fresh for the stretch run and able to go longer in games.
Zack Greinke had no issues after Sunday’s six-inning start, Mattingly said.
Carlos Frias is not expected to start another game for the Dodgers this year, and Mattingly said that Frias’ two shutout innings Sunday in relief explains why — there’s increasing viability for him to become a more integral part of the bullpen. “First inning he comes in, he pretty much attacks, throws strikes, gets three outs and then he’s able to go back out,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had some kind of middle-innings issues of where to go at certain times, so he could be a valuable guy right there where he was at yesterday.”
Sixteen of Frias’ past 17 innings have been scoreless, with only three hits and one walk in those 16 frames. Only blemish: three runs in his fourth inning of work August 24 vs. the Mets.
Onelki Garcia is healthy and a contender to see MLB game action before this season is over. Garcia, who made his big-league debut on September 11, 2013 but had two offseason surgeries, pitched a shutout inning for Chattanooga in their Southern League semifinal-round victory Sunday.
Injured reliever Paco Rodriguez threw on flat ground and is moving forward again.
Three weeks and 19 games remain in the regular season. The Dodgers’ magic number is 17, but in reality, 15 victories would guarantee the title because of the number of games they play against second-place San Francisco. (Thanks to Bob Timmermann for the note.)

Joc Pederson’s start in center is not a changing of the guard

By Jon Weisman

On September 2, 2014

In Pregame, Transactions

For more Monday photo highlights, visit LA Photog Blog.

Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCV: Kershawstbusters
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

After placing Joc Pederson in the starting lineup in center field tonight, Dodger manager Don Mattingly made it clear — in case it wasn’t — that slumping Yasiel Puig’s job wasn’t in jeopardy.

“This time of year, I don’t think Yasiel has to prove he can do it,” Mattingly said. “We know he can do it … it’s more what can we do to get him back.”

Puig is in a 2-for-32 struggle with seven walks, and has not homered since July 31 (though he did blast a long out in San Diego that would have been a homer many other places). His only extra-base hit since August 15 was a pop-fly sun double.

Mattingly said that there was a sink-or-swim case to be made for Puig playing through the slump, but in part because this is his first 162-game MLB season, there’s also a thought that breaks from the lineup could help.

“Yas continues to struggle,” Mattingly said. “We’re hoping to give him a day here and give him a chance to work it out.”

But again, Mattingly tried to stop speculation that the Dodger outfield roles were wide open.

“I do think competition’s healthy, as long as it’s about winning games,” Mattingly said. “I don’t want to turn the apple cart over … I want to keep the harmony here. For tonight, this is the best lineup.”

Mattingly didn’t deny that he was excited to see what Pederson could do and happy to see him get opportunities, but added that those feelings weren’t unique to Pederson.

“With all the young guys, I think you’re always excited,” Mattingly said. “Same as we are about Pedro Baez and Carlos Frias, these guys that come up and throw the ball well.”

And yet, he did note that with Pederson, “you could tell right away he had that little swagger, little confidence.” He added that there was agreement throughout the organization that Pederson was the best defensive center fielder on the team.

* * *

As expected, three players optioned by the Dodgers in the final week of August — Erisbel Arruebarrena, Frias and Miguel Rojas — have rejoined the team now that the minor-league seasons are over in Albuquerque and Rancho Cucamonga. Frias is slated to start Wednesday’s day game/series finale against Washington.

Hello, Hanley

By Jon Weisman

On August 24, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

For photo highlights from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Mets at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Kevin Correia, P

By Jon Weisman

Yep, it’s consecutive days of players getting healthier.

The Dodgers follow Zack Greinke’s return to the mound in Saturday’s 7-4 victory over the Mets with Hanley Ramirez’s departure from the disabled list to the starting lineup today. Erisbel Arruebarrena has been optioned to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

When he has played, Ramirez has been a consistent hitter for some time now. Since going 4 for 4 with two home runs on May 31, Ramirez has had a .415 on-base percentage and .474 slugging percentage (.889 OPS) in 183 plate appearances.

Ramirez is the No. 2 offensive shortstop in baseball this season behind injured Troy Tulowitzki of Colorado, according to Fangraphs.

Mattingly said Greinke felt good this morning – came out of Saturday’s start “pretty well.”

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 24, 2014

For his part, Greinke gave a positive report to Dodger manager Don Mattingly this morning. He told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com he would tell the Dodgers if he were worried about his physical condition — but at this point he wasn’t.

“Weird circumstances gave me extra time, but I’ve been pretty good,” he said. “Between starts it hasn’t bothered me. I felt great again today. I hope that’s how it stays.

“You’re not going to believe me, but it really hasn’t bothered me when the game’s on the line. It didn’t affect any of my pitches. It really isn’t a big issue.”

He said he’d be honest with manager Don Mattingly if he didn’t feel physically able to help the team or if he thought he was putting himself at risk of serious injury.

“I have no desire to go out there and give up 10 runs or hurt myself more,” he said.

Arruebarrena figures to return to the Dodgers when rosters expand September 1. Miguel Rojas’ greater experience at third base was a main reason he was retained on the roster in the short term over Arruebarrena.

We know Arruebarrena can field — can he hit?

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2014

In Uncategorized

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

For now, Erisbel Arruebarrena is simply joining Miguel Rojas in holding down the fort at shortstop until Hanley Ramirez returns from the disabled list, as early as Monday. Ramirez was taking grounders at shortstop during batting practice today and looked fairly loose.

It’s no secret how good a fielder Arruebarrena is — his fluidity makes him about the only guy in town that Rojas wouldn’t take to school on defense.

“The way he’s played, he makes everything look pretty easy,” Don Mattingly said of Arruebarrena. “He’s one of those guys that you catch people just kind of watching him take ground balls.”

Mattingly thinks that Rojas has more versatility at second base and third, but Arruebarrena has more potential on offense — with the caveats that Mattingly hasn’t seen much of Arruebarrena at the plate in game action.

“I think he could hit a little bit,” Mattingly said. “The ball comes off his bat well. It sounds like in Cuba, he didn’t put a whole lot of emphasis on his hitting — it was all about defense. We feel like there’s some upside there with his bat.”

Dodgers flip Truinfel for Arruebarrena on active roster

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2014

In Pregame, Transactions

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Kevin Correia, P

By Jon Weisman

In an exchange of backup shortstops, the Dodgers have optioned Carlos Triunfel and recalled Erisbel Arruebarrena to and from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Triunfel had been brought up Saturday when Juan Uribe went on the disabled list. At the time, Arruebarrena was on the Isotopes’ DL with right shoulder inflammation and rehabbing with the Dodgers’ Arizona Rookie League team. He played rehab games Saturday through Monday, going 4 for 11 with two doubles, two homers and four RBI.

With Albuquerque, Arruebarrena has a .400 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage in 95 plate appearances. As a Dodger, he is 5 for 16 with a double, a walk and a .728 OPS. He is a more highly regarded fielder than Triunfel, who hit a comebacker for an out in the only at-bat of his recent recall.

Will Kershaw repeat as NL Pitcher of the Month?

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2014

In Awards, Dodger Stadium, Food, Pregame, Transactions

For more highlights from Thursday’s game, visit LA Photog Blog.

Cubs at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Matt Kemp, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw was as unsurprising a winner as they come of National League’s Pitcher of the Month honors in June. And in July, he hardly declined.

Thanks to a 1.07 ERA last month, Kershaw is the first pitcher to have an ERA under 2.00 through the end of July in back to back seasons since Greg Maddux in 1994-95, notes Lee Sinins at Gammons Daily.

The lefty’s current 2014 ERA is better than Sandy Koufax’s best (1.73) and coming within range of the 98-year-old franchise record, 1.58 by Rube Marquard in 1916.

To be clear, Kershaw already set the Dodger record for adjusted ERA in a season last year, a record he is on pace to smash this year.

Kershaw’s July ERA was somehow only fourth in Major League Baseball but first in the NL. Interestingly, Kershaw also has a close match in the American League with the same initials, as Carson Cistulli of Fangraphs notes.

So, what about July in the NL?

Kershaw led the league in ERA (1.07), just ahead of San Diego’s Tyson Ross (1.10) and the Mets’ Jacob deGrom (1.39).
He was tops in WAR (1.4), followed closely by deGrom, Ross and Zack Greinke.
He was first in innings (42), edging Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (41 2/3) and Ross (41).
Things shift a bit when you look at FIP (fielding-independent pitching). Kershaw (2.06) is fourth, fairly far behind deGrom (1.43), Greinke and Ross.
And how about this? July’s NL leader in xFIP is none other than Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.19), with Greinke second and Kershaw sixth (2.52). Ross, deGrom and Washington’s Stephen Strasburg occupy the spots in between.
Strikeouts per nine innings? Kershaw (9.21) was seventh, with Greinke (10.60) just ahead of deGrom (10.58) and Ross (10.54), followed by Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto, Ryu and Strasburg.

As you can see, it’s a tight race. There’s a statistical case for deGrom, except for the fact that he threw 32 1/3 innings, 23 percent fewer than Kershaw. (Note that this same argument was used in reverse against Kershaw when it came time to pick the NL’s All-Star Game starting pitcher.) Ryu only pitched 28 1/3 innings in July.

The top challenger to Kershaw for July NL Player of the Month honors is Ross. I would pick Kershaw, by a nose, but in my mind, it’s enough of a tossup that it really comes down to whether the powers that be want to spread the wealth around. For those curious about NFL drafts, can a player refuse a draft pick nfl? Visit nfldraftbuzz.com to find out.

No matter what happens this month, Kershaw has bigger fish to fry, individually (Cy Young race, anyone?) as well as his drive to lead the Dodgers to a title.

* * *

Other news and notes …

Scott Elbert remained in the Dodger organization after clearing waivers and accepting an assignment to Albuquerque. In addition, Erisbel Arruebarrena was returned from Rancho Cucamonga to Albuquerque, and is serving a five-game suspension for his role in the recent brawl there. Brian Cavazos-Galvez, a 12th-round draft pick in 2009, was released, according to the MLB.com report.
At Gammons Daily, Alec Dopp takes an analytics look at Matt Kemp’s two-month surge.

“Perhaps the main reason behind Kemp’s lofty in-play average since the beginning of June has been his ability to generate ideal trajectories at a higher frequency, increasing his 25.6% line-drive rate from April-May to 29.6% from June to July (third-highest in baseball in that span). …

For Kemp, whose line-drive rate has improved some despite actually hitting pitches ‘hard’ less frequently since the beginning of June, this fact bodes well for his current production moving forward if he continues to produce line drive trajectories, coupled with his ability to decipher between balls and strikes on the inner-half of the plate.”
Don Sutton told a Vin Scully story to Ron Cervenka of Think Blue L.A.
USA Today ranked Dodger Stadium No. 2 in Major League Baseball for food options.

In case you missed it: Some scoop on Perez, Van Slyke, Guerrero and more

By Jon Weisman

On July 28, 2014

In Dodger Stadium, In case you missed it

By Jon Weisman

Catching up on some news and notes from recent days …

Chris Perez discussed his mechanics issues with Pedro Moura of the Register. It’s worth it to read the whole piece to better understand Perez’s journey.
Scott Van Slyke’s performance this season gets an in-depth analysis from Stuart Wallace at Gammons Daily.
Alex Guerrero spoke in Albuquerque last week with Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. about how he’s doing and what he’s thinking.
Erisbel Arruebarrena is now with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga after a tumultuous weekend. On a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque, Arruebarrena was a central figure in a 10-ejection brawl Saturday between the Isotopes and Reno, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com notes. Arruebarrena was officially activated from the disabled list and optioned to Rancho the next day.
MLB.com has updated its overall Top 100 Prospects list and its top 20 for the Dodgers. Recent draftees Grant Holmes and Alex Verdugo debuted at No. 4 and No. 10 with the Dodgers.
Here’s an updated review of Dodger Stadium from Stadium Journeys. Food and beverage gets an improved score, and overall, writes Andrei Ojeda, “I really cannot say enough great things about the changes that have taken place the last couple of seasons, from the ownership to the amenities, all the way to the overall staff.”
Clayton Kershaw joined Sandy Koufax as a winner of the Hickock Belt. For the backstory on what this is and what it means, go to Ernest Reyes at Blue Heaven.
Kershaw will also be a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” tonight. Here’s a clip from his appearance there a year ago.
Former Dodger outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. has been released by the Phillies.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Erisbel Arruebarrena (Page 1 of 2)

Dodgers suspend Erisbel Arruebarrena

Farhan Zaidi discusses Dodger draft signings

In case you missed it: The Yellowship of the Ring

In case you missed it: Bobblesplash

In case you missed it nightcap: Up, down and away

Livin’ in the future …

Arruebarrena, Seager, Urias among 17 non-roster Spring Training invitees

Dodgers officially sign Brett Anderson, designate Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment

Notebook: Three weeks to go …

Joc Pederson’s start in center is not a changing of the guard

Hello, Hanley

We know Arruebarrena can field — can he hit?

Dodgers flip Truinfel for Arruebarrena on active roster

Will Kershaw repeat as NL Pitcher of the Month?

In case you missed it: Some scoop on Perez, Van Slyke, Guerrero and more

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