Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Kyle Jensen

Several Dodger minor-leaguers become free agents

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On November 10, 2015

In Minor leagues, Transactions

Matt West made his Dodger debut June 20. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Matt West made his Dodger debut June 20. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Earlier this morning, Matt Eddy of Baseball America posted a lengthy list of minor-leaguers who have just become free agents. That included more than two dozen names from the Dodgers, who have confirmed that they are no longer under contract with the organization.

Several of these players were signed by the Dodgers as recently as last winter, as part of the annual cycle of veteran minor-leaguers switching teams, though there is one prominent former Dodger draft pick among them.

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Dodger minor league report No. 16: Mike Bolsinger, Carlos Frias, Jose Peraza and more

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On August 6, 2015

In Minor leagues

[milbvideo id=”325300083″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias, the two Dodger starting pitchers displaced by Mat Latos and Alex Wood, each had early exits from their first starts back with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.

Bolsinger was hit in the forearm Tuesday by a batted ball and departed after three-plus innings, after allowing three runs on six hits. Don Mattingly relayed to reporters Wednesday that Bolsinger isn’t expected to miss his next scheduled start.

Frias, who was officially optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, started Wednesday for Oklahoma City, pitched one shutout inning and then took his leave. Mattingly told reporters after the Dodgers’ victory in Philadelphia last night that Frias “felt something” and was removed as a precaution, then added today that Frias was undergoing further tests.

Joe Wieland ended up pitching five innings in relief, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five.

Two other recent Dodger starting pitchers have resumed work for Oklahoma City. Zach Lee allowed one earned run in seven innings (striking out three) August 2, and Brandon Beachy — who was accepted an assignment to Triple-A after clearing waivers — allowed five earned runs in six innings August 3.

Now, on with our tour of the Dodger minor leagues …

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Injuries afflict Dodgers (and everybody else)

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On March 22, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Transactions

Indians at Dodgers, 1:05 a.m.
Kike Hernandez, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, DH
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Schebler, RF
Chris O’Brien, C
(David Huff, P)

By Jon Weisman

At the risk of being labeled a Pollyanna about the Dodgers (not for the first time), let’s not overreact to the aches and ailments suffered by Dodger pitchers in the past 48 hours.

First and foremost, when a veteran non-roster pitcher leaves a Spring Training start more than two weeks before Opening Day for precautionary reasons, as Erik Bedard did Friday and Chad Gaudin did Saturday, that’s not exactly double-over news. (Today came news that Bedard will get an MRI on Monday, while Gaudin is fine.)

Bedard pitched 75 2/3 big-league innings last year, Gaudin zero. They might well contribute at some point in 2015 — neither would be with the Dodgers if there weren’t hope for that — but a mid-March setback for either of these two doesn’t spell “doom.” It doesn’t even spot you the “d.”

Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu are bigger deals. Kershaw dodged a bullet (at least, all of him except two teeth did) when he was struck by an Andy Parrino hit Friday, hours after we learned that Ryu’s status for the start of the regular season is up in the air.

Though Kershaw is not expected to miss any time, and Ryu might still barely miss a beat, the twin pieces of news reminded that no pitcher, not even the rock that is Kershaw, is guaranteed to make it unscathed through a Major League season. To lessen the pain of their injuries, the best cbd cream can be utilized.

Guess what: That’s true for the other 29 teams as well.

Injuries are part of the game. It’s a cliche because it’s true. Injuries are part of the game. They’re gonna keep coming. And the Dodgers remain one of the best equipped teams to survive them.

* * *

A brief note: Matt Carson and Kyle Jensen had their tickets to minor-league camp punched today. Each hit two homers for the Dodgers in Cactus League play.

 

In case you missed it nightcap: Late-inning heroics

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On March 8, 2015

In In case you missed it

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers

For more photos from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Just imagine it was a pennant race. Kyle Jensen (two-run homer in the eighth) and Corey Seager (walkoff RBI double in the ninth) brought homw go-ahead runs in consecutive innings for the Dodgers, who improved to 4-1-1 with a 4-3 victory over Milwaukee.

Just a few more links before we close out for this daylight-savings discombobulated day …Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers

  • Brandon McCarthy threw 15 pitches in the bullpen after his two-inning outing Sunday, mostly to work on his curveball, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
  • J.P. Howell will take a short break from workouts because of mild tightness in his left groin, reports Gurnick.
  • Service members from the 56th Fighter Wing at nearby Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona near Camelback Ranch are shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice for the Dodgers, notes Gurnick. The venture provides a great interaction with the military while helping reduce injury risk for Dodger pitchers.
  • Justin Turner had the Dodgers’ defensive play of the game Saturday:

[mlbvideo id=”42739983″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

What dreams may come …

By

On March 5, 2015

In Postgame, Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

Look, it’s not like I haven’t been burned. Here’s an all-what might-have-been lineup of Dodger prospects from the past 10 years:

Jason Repko, CF
Delwyn Young, RF
Andy LaRoche, 3B
Jerry Sands, 1B
Joel Guzman, SS
Blake DeWitt, 2B
Xavier Paul, LF
Tim Federowicz, C
Jon Meloan, P

I’m not criticizing them — each fulfilled a dream (I really mean that), even if they didn’t fulfill all dreams.

Then Clayton Kershaw finishes his first exhibition inning of 2015 today by dropping a straight echo of his teenage Public Enemy No. 1 on Jose Abreu, and I’m reminded, it’s OK to believe.

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

By

On January 9, 2015

In Minor leagues, Transactions

Steve Saenz/Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

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:

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Brian Wilson released as turnover continues

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On December 19, 2014

In Status report, Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”37068283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

With the official release of Brian Wilson today, preceded by recent acquisition Ryan Lavarnway being claimed on waivers by the Cubs and Kyle (that’s Kyle) Jensen being designated for assignment, the Dodger 40-man roster is back at, well, 40. But it’s not your slightly older sibling’s 40.

Let’s catch up on who’s new:

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Dodgers acquire outfielder Kyle Jensen

By

On November 17, 2014

In Transactions

[milbvideo id=”35756207″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Two weeks after the acquisition of infielder Ryan Jackson, the Dodgers have picked up outfielder/first baseman Kyle Jensen from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The 26-year-old Jensen had a .331 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage, 27 homers and 29 doubles for Triple-A New Orleans in 2014. A right-handed hitter, Jensen has 128 homers in 705 games, mostly playing right and left field.

The Dodgers’ 40-man roster now stands at 37.

— Jon Weisman

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Attendance

1991-2013
Dodgers at home: 1,028-812 (.558695)
When Jon attended: 338-267 (.558677)*
When Jon didn’t: 695-554 (.556)
* includes road games attended

2013
Dodgers at home: 51-35 (.593)
When Jon attended: 5-2 (.714)
When Jon didn’t: 46-33 (.582)

Note: I got so busy working for the Dodgers that in 2014, I stopped keeping track, much to my regret. 

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