Yasmani Grandal – Page 3 – Dodger Thoughts

Clayton Kershaw is called out at home plate in the seventh inning. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Clayton Kershaw is called out at home plate in the seventh. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Like cleaning an old outdoor barbecue on a warm Sunday afternoon, the Dodgers had to cut and scrape more than they would have liked in with Clayton Kershaw on the mound in Atlanta. But in the end, they got the savory meal they came for.

After Kershaw allowed 10 hits with 10 strikeouts in the same game for the first time in his career, the Dodgers scored in the 10th inning for the second time in 18 hours, eking out a 2-1 victory over Atlanta.

The red-hot Yasmani Grandal hit an RBI double to drive home Kiké Hernandez with the winning run. Grandal, who walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning, is 7 for 12 with four doubles and six walks in his past five games — a .722 on-base percentage.

Kershaw got a no-decision, which belied what a day of action it was for the lefty ace.

“Weird day,” Kershaw told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo after the game.

Dodgers bounce back after halftime, win in overtime

By Jon Weisman

On April 20, 2016

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

Dodgers 5, Braves 3 in 10 innings. Choose your headliner:

Yasmani Grandal, who reached base four times (to raise his 2016 on-base percentage to .571) and carried home the Dodgers’ first run in the fifth inning after the Dodgers fell behind, 3-0.
Adrian Gonzalez, with a game-tying home run in the sixth inning.
Justin Turner, with a go-ahead RBI double in the 10th inning.
How about Chase Utley, who went 2 for 5, including the leadoff hit, stolen base and first run in the 10th, and a relentlessly effective night on defense?
Or maybe that Dodger bullpen, with 6 1/3 shutout innings.

Heck, we’ll just go with all of the above.

By the time it was over, it seemed like an eternity since a Dodger starting pitcher was forced to leave before the fifth inning for the second night in a row. All three runs (two earned) scored off Ross Stripling with two outs and two strikes on the batter, extending him so much that Dave Roberts lifted him after 3 2/3 innings and 76 pitches.

But after being held to one run over their first 13 innings in Georgia, the Dodgers were able to come back and even the series with Atlanta, with Clayton Kershaw going in Thursday’s 9:10 a.m. Pacific start.

Dodger relievers have allowed one earned run in their past 24 1/3 innings.

Grandal and Kendrick activated, Van Slyke to DL

By Jon Weisman

On April 12, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Scott Van Slyke, before the pain. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers lost one more player to the disabled list but gained two back today.

Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal have returned to the active roster for the Dodgers, who placed Scott Van Slyke on the DL with lower back irritation.

Kendrick is starting today at second base, but Dave Roberts added that he could see some time in left field in the short term (given the Dodgers’ quantity of injured outfielders and the strong start by infielder Chase Utley). Kendrick has 26 career MLB games in left, most recently in with the Angels.

“We were talking about when Howie resigned with us, he was open to playing some outfield, so we might be dipping into that well,” Roberts said.

Grandal, Kendrick set to begin rehab assignments

By Jon Weisman

On April 7, 2016

In Health/injuries

Hopefully, Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal will soon be moving in the right direction for the Dodgers. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Still aiming to return to the active roster by the time the Dodgers have their home opener Tuesday, catcher Yasmani Grandal and infielder Howie Kendrick were placed on rehab assignments beginning tonight, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Weather is affecting Grandal’s game for Triple-A Oklahoma City at Nashville, but hopefully he gets underway in that time zone before Kendrick’s game starts for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Gurnick adds some detail from Dave Roberts about the different assignments.

… He said Grandal was sent to Triple-A because of the higher level of pitching competition. Grandal has had fewer at-bats while healing than Kendrick because of the difference in their injuries.

Kendrick will be the designated hitter in one game, “a game at third and a couple at second” base. Grandal played in a simulated game Wednesday. …

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On March 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

As the Dodgers returned home from their wanderings in the desert, they took another step toward finalizing their Opening Day roster — with other steps remaining to go before Saturday morning deadline.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts said that Alex Guerrero remains at Camelback Ranch and will begin the season on the disabled list

“He had an MRI that showed minimal damage, but now we at least understand the discomfort and the pain he’s having in his knee,” Roberts said. “I really don’t know what the specifics were — I talked to the training staff, and whatever verbiage they used, it kind of validated some of the pain he’s been having.”

In other developments:

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On March 29, 2016

In Bullpen, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Adam Liberatore has struck out 11 in nine Cactus League innings this year.

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are down to two left-handers in their Major League bullpen after optioning Adam Liberatore to the minors following the team’s 5-4 victory Monday over Texas.

The question now is, will they go down to one?

Since we last checked in on the bullpen, it has been whittled in predictable fashion, leaving the following:

In case you missed it: Grandal’s return delayed

By Jon Weisman

On March 24, 2016

In In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

Yasmani Grandal homers March 18 against Arizona.

Dodgers at Indians, 7:05 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, DH
A.J. Ellis C
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Elian Herrera, 2B
Trayce Thompson, LF
(Clayton Kershaw, P)
Update: Howie Kendrick was scratched shortly before first pitch with left calf tightness and is day to day.

By Jon Weisman

Yasmani Grandal will remain out of the Dodger lineup until at least Sunday, Dave Roberts told reporters today.

An MRI showed no muscle damage in Grandal’s sorearm, tweeted Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A., but the Dodgers are taking a precautionary approach with their starting catcher, who told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo that if it were up to him, he would play.

Of course, it became apparent toward the end of last season that Grandal is pretty much the Black Knight when it comes to pain tolerance. Today, Bill Plunkett of the Register noted that Grandal caught Kenta Maeda’s bullpen session, though he let another catcher throw the ball back to the mound.

Grandal has played in eight Cactus League games, with his most recent start coming Sunday.

Here are some other pregame notes:

Andre Ethier won’t be allowed to put any weight on his fractured right leg for six weeks, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Corey Seager batted in a minor-league game today, going 0 for 4. He did not play defense in the game.
In his third inning of a minor-league game today, Cuban pitching prospect Yadier Alvarez was clocked by two scouts at 100 mph, said J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
National columnist Peter Gammons has an extended piece on the Dodgers at GammonsDaily.
Fangraphs writer Dave Cameron addresses concerns that the Dodgers aren’t taking Clayton Kershaw’s prime seriously enough.
On Saturday, the Kings will host Dodgers Pride Night at 7 p.m. at Staples Center. Fans are invited to purchase a ticket package that includes a ticket to the game and a commemorative Dodgers Pride Night long-sleeve shirt that will be redeemed at the game. Visit lakings.com/dodgers for more details.

In case you missed it: Maeda rolls after getting a bit rocked

By Jon Weisman

On March 21, 2016

In In case you missed it, Postgame, Spring Training, Transactions

Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

It’s hard not to like what Kenta Maeda has brought to the U.S. so far.

Same with Justin Turner, even if the journey isn’t quite so far.

In case you missed it: Ethier leadoff experiment, step one

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Minor leagues, Postgame, Spring Training

Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

In discussing potential Dodger leadoff hitters last week, I hesitated to include Andre Ethier because he had never done so in a regular-season game – but I decided to do so anyway, because against right-handers, it makes sense.

Sure enough, Ethier grabbed a leadoff spot in today’s 7-3 Dodger victory over Colorado, walking and singling in his first two at-bats.

Dave Roberts told reporters today that Ethier could bat leadoff when the matchup is favorable.

What else can I tell you?

Hyun-Jin Ryu is not going to pitch in Cactus League play and is doubtful to return to Major League action before June, Dave Roberts said today.
Zach Lee retired the first eight batters he faced in a 3 1/3-inning performance, allowing a run on four baserunners with one strikeout.
Julio Urias gave up a run in his first inning of relief, but retired the final four batters in his two-inning outing.
In his second Cactus League game, Justin Turner went 1 for 3 with an error.
Elian Herrera and Trayce Thompson both scored on the same wild pitch in the eighth inning.
Some interesting data from Tony Blengino at Fangraphs supports a big 2016 season for Yasmani Grandal. In his first Cactus League game since March 9, Grandal singled and walked.
Outfield prospect Alex Verdugo did a Q&A with Jim Callis of MLB.com.
Dustin Nosler of Dodgers Digest rated Dodger minor leaguers according to best tools.
Frank Sinatra Jr., who sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium several times, most recently in September as part of the centennial celebration of his father, has passed away at age 72. Tommy Lasorda expressed his sadness this evening. “Like his father, Frank Jr. brought us much joy with his unbelievable musical talent,” Lasorda said. “Last season, Frank Jr. sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium on my birthday. What a voice! Frank Jr. was a great and lovely family man. He will be missed dearly.”
For a brief moment this morning, it looked like Dodger Stadium was going the Calvinball route …

Dodger Stadium looks great, and the intriguing second pitchers' mound near first base is even more exciting! pic.twitter.com/o8WJnLW1pc

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2016

Video: Dodgers featured on MLB Network

By Jon Weisman

On March 15, 2016

In Status report

Public Enemy No. 1 reunion on @MLBNetwork with @TheMayorsOffice and @ClaytonKersh22 pic.twitter.com/ZBL0wdT24u

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 14, 2016

On Monday, MLB Network featured the Dodgers on its “30 Clubs in 30 Days” series. Below are several clips from the day …

— Jon Weisman

In case you missed it: Tale of two Uriases

By Jon Weisman

On March 11, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Spring Training

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Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Spirits soared with Julio Urias’ first inning on a Cactus League mound this year, before his second inning reminded us of his youth.

Taking the mound in the seventh inning today against the Angels, Urias struck out the side — before allowing a single, double, triple and walk to the four batters he faced in the eighth inning of what became an 8-4 Dodger loss, recapped by MLB.com.

Urias told AM 570 Dodger Talk’s David Vassegh that he struggled with his fastball command in his second inning of work. Hopefully, it wasn’t from his coffee run earlier today.

.@theteenager7 y @JDL_87 entre los jugadores que fueron por 65 órdenes de @Starbucks por la mañana. (Foto: @kFarm17) pic.twitter.com/nuDFYnJGfv

— Los Dodgers (@LosDodgers) March 11, 2016

The Dodgers lost despite holding the Angels hitless from the second through seventh innings. Zach Lee gave up three hits in the first inning, including a three-run homer, but then faced the minimum over the next two innings. Kenley Jansen, J.P. Howell, Pedro Baez and Louis Coleman each pitched an inning of hitless ball. They were helped by Charlie Culberson, who made two outstanding plays at shortstop today.

What else have we got?

In case you missed it: Pitchers and catchers and avocados, oh my

By Jon Weisman

On February 19, 2016

In In case you missed it, Spring Training

For more photos from today, visit the Dodgers Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Hey! It’s that day!

With today’s “pitchers and catchers reporting” day arriving, it’s time to bring back our regular roundup of relevant news on the Dodgers and baseball. Here’s what’s percolating on the Camelback campus …

Hyun-Jin Ryu, pictured above with Kenta Maeda, had a 35-pitch bullpen session Thursday. He is expected to pitch in the Cactus League but is not being rushed to be ready for the opening of the regular season, wrote Andy McCullough of the Times in his roundup.
Maeda, who met with a gaggle of reporters this morning, has thrown two bullpen sessions already and all is normal, according to Bill Plunkett of the Register.
Yasmani Grandal is under no limitations now that his left shoulder has healed from surgery, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Andre Ethier’s jersey is being retired by Arizona State tonight. Ethier and his wife Maggie were both already inducted into the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
Frankie Montas’ stress fracture in rib “was less severe than thoracic outlet syndrome,” notes Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA. Montas broached it with Dodger trainers last month after it persisted, Rizzo said.
On a brighter side, Rizzo added that Justin Turner has “hit every checkpoint” in his recovery from microfracture surgery.
Trayce Thompson watched his brother Klay at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, then went to Arizona on Monday, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN. (Update: Padilla has more on Grandal here.)
Fellow White Sox emigré Micah Johnson needed a few stitches after cutting his hand while slicing an avocado, and will need a few days to heal, reported Plunkett. For his part, Johnson tweeted that he had “the last laugh.”
Andrew Friedman has taken to calling Dave Roberts “Doc,” according to Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. For you trivia buffs, the new Doc Roberts was born almost exactly 75 years after “Fiddlin'” Doc Roberts.
The Uribear, Juan Uribe, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Indians.
Tony Phillips, who seemed perpetually underrated to me, has passed away all too soon at age 56, as chronicled by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
And one more item from Thursday: Brandon McCarthy took Clayton Kershaw to task for misunderstanding the fundamentals of offseason training. But it’s possible there’s been a misunderstanding …

Cuban reunions and revelations for Puig, Kershaw

By Jon Weisman

On December 17, 2015

In International

Photos by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

In between visits with kids of all ages on MLB’s goodwill tour of Cuba, Yasiel Puig had a reunion with his half-brother, as Kevin Baxter writes for the Times.

… While Puig is of Cuba, until this week he hadn’t been in Cuba for nearly five years. And that seemed like an eternity to Yoan Hernandez, Puig’s half brother.

“I missed him,” Hernandez said Wednesday, a day after an emotional reunion. …

In addition, Clayton Kershaw met family members of his teammate and Cuba native, Yasmani Grandal.

… Yohandri Grandal and his father Avelino sat in the first row of the grandstands, watching the clinic. Baseball, and politics, have separated their family as well.

Yohandri’s brother, Yasmani, a Dodgers catcher, left Cuba for Miami with his mother 17 years ago. The siblings have rarely seen each other since and Avelino said he hasn’t seen his son since 2010.

He got a little closer Wednesday when Clayton Kershaw, who is also participating in the goodwill tour, saw Avelino waving a tiny blue Dodgers jersey with Grandal’s name and number. So Kershaw walked over to the two men and reached up into stands to shake their hands.

For now, talking to the pitcher who throws to his brother is about as close as Yohandri figures to get to a reunion. But he’s hopeful the negotiations between baseball officials in the U.S. and Cuba can change that. …

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Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com has more on Kershaw, who is the only player on the trip who doesn’t speak Spanish.

“They keep saying, ‘Baseball’s the way of life,’ but you don’t really know what that means,” Kershaw said. “Then you come here and you kind of understand. It’s so important, and it’s so new, too, this whole trip and what the people here can experience and what we as players can do. It’s just such new territory for us. I think the excitement of being here is infectious.”

One more piece for you: Over at Historic Dodgertown is a history of the relationship between the Dodger and Cuba.

Jansen, Turner, Grandal, Van Slyke, Hatcher, Avilan officially retained for 2016

By Jon Weisman

On December 2, 2015

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Six key arbitration-eligible players from the 2015 Dodgers — Luis Avilan, Yasmani Grandal, Chris Hatcher, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Scott Van Slyke — have all been tendered contracts for the 2016 season.

None were a surprise, but the Dodgers had to make it official by 9 p.m. tonight or let them become free agents.

Any one of the sextet could still go to salary arbitration, but the Dodgers haven’t been to an arbitration hearing since Joe Beimel in 2007 and haven’t lost since Terry Adams in 2001.

Previously this week, the Dodgers signed A.J. Ellis and Joe Wieland for 2016.

NLDS Game 5 lineups: Dodgers emphasize defense with Hernandez, Pederson, Grandal

By Jon Weisman

On October 15, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 5:00 p.m.
TV: TBS

Dodgers
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Zack Greinke, P

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, CF
Lucas Duda, 1B
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Michael Conforto, LF
Wilmer Flores, SS
Jacob deGrom, P

Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson (Juan Ocampo and Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Rather than choose between Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson for the outfield, the Dodgers have gone with both.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Yasmani Grandal (Page 3 of 6)

After Kershaw’s double-double, Grandal doubles in game-winner

Dodgers bounce back after halftime, win in overtime

Grandal and Kendrick activated, Van Slyke to DL

Grandal, Kendrick set to begin rehab assignments

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

In case you missed it: Grandal’s return delayed

In case you missed it: Maeda rolls after getting a bit rocked

In case you missed it: Ethier leadoff experiment, step one

Video: Dodgers featured on MLB Network

In case you missed it: Tale of two Uriases

In case you missed it: Pitchers and catchers and avocados, oh my

Cuban reunions and revelations for Puig, Kershaw

Jansen, Turner, Grandal, Van Slyke, Hatcher, Avilan officially retained for 2016

NLDS Game 5 lineups: Dodgers emphasize defense with Hernandez, Pederson, Grandal

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