Harry How/Getty ImagesMatt Kemp and Marcus Thames feel fine in the sunshine.
Spring Training, Day 2
Highlights:
- Looking to return to form and function, John Ely faced eight batters and allowed one hit, striking out three and walking none.
- The Dodger bullpen followed with seven shutout innings from Mike MacDougal, Blake Hawksworth, Kenley Jansen, Ramon Troncoso and Jon Link.
- Two hits from Rafael Furcal in his Spring Training debut.
- Jamie(Jamey)’s got a glove: Diving defensive plays from Jamey Carroll at short and Jamie Hoffmann in left field.
- Rod Barajas hit the Dodgers first homer of the spring.
Lowlights:
- I didn’t see the play, so I don’t know how bad it was, but after hitting a two-run single in the first inning, Matt Kemp was picked off. Something for him and Davey Lopes to talk about?
- Andre Ethier struck out in both his at-bats.
Sidelights:
- Barajas was this close to becoming a Toronto Blue Jay before the Dodgers signed him (following Russell Martin’s departure) this winter, writes Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Sue Falsone, who became the first Major League Baseball female physical therapist in 2007 with the Dodgers, is now only working with the team as a consultant, while remaining a liaison for the Dodgers and Athletes Performance Institute. Jeremiah Randall will be the Dodgers’ new major-league physical therapist, the team said today, while Nancy Patterson is now the team’s assistant athletic trainer. Patterson previously worked for the organization with Inland Empire and Chattanooga, as this 2010 article by the Chattanooga Times Free Press notes. Randall was the Dodgers’ minor-league rehab coordinator for 2010. Stan Conte remains director of medical services and head trainer.
