Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We're dropping the ball. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I didn't think we played good defense behind Hyun-Jin and I thought the way he threw the baseball was better than the linescore," said manager Dave Roberts. "When you're facing a guy like Wheeler, you've got to play good baseball. We just didn't give ourselves a chance today. 

"There were plays we usually make, you could just look around the diamond. Whether it's added pitches or a run that scores that shouldn't or whatever. For us, at this point in time, we've got to play better baseball. This was one of those games where we just didn't execute defensively."

Dammit! This just can't happen anymore!

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1943 the Dodgers signed 19-year old amateur free agent Gil Hodges out of  St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, IN. In 1950 Don Newcombe started both ends of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Shibe Park. In Game 1 he threw a complete game three-hit shutout. In Game 2 he left the game behind by two runs in the seventh inning. The Dodgers would eventually win that game on a three-run single in the ninth inning by Gil Hodges. In 1953 Giants manager and Dodger-traitor Leo Durocher is heard yelling "stick it in his ear" before pitcher Ruben Gomez struck Dodger outfielder Carl Furillo on the wrist with a pitch. As Furillo took first base he suddenly sprinted to the dugout to get at Durocher. In the subsequent melee Furillo fractures a finger -- ending his season. In 1976 catcher Steve Yeager is injured in the on-deck circle when a jagged end of Bill Russell's broken bat struck him in the throat. It pierced his esophagus, necessitating surgery. Soon thereafter, Dodger trainer Bill Buhler invented a device that hung down from a catchers mask to protect a players throat. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela threw his seventh shutout as a rookie -- tying a National League record. In 1996 the ever-popular Brett Butler defied the odds to return to the field for the first time after being diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, having surgery and intensive radiation therapy earlier in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Oyster Burns, Pete Gilbert, George Hildebrand & Del Bissonette!

Welcome to the Blue, Ryan Madson!

Will this be the move that saves our bullpen?

As you know, earlier this week the Dodgers claimed Nationals reliever Ryan  "Mad Dog" Madson and had until today to work out a trade. That trade has now been completed, via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal, The player we sent to DC is minor league righty Andrew Istler. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Madson (#50) in a trade with the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Andrew Istler.  

Madson, 38, has made 49 relief appearances with Washington this year, going 2-5 with four saves and a 5.28 ERA (26 ER/44.1 IP). The Long Beach native has been a member of two World Series championship clubs (2008 & 2015) in 13 Major League seasons with the Phillies (2003-2011), Royals (2015), A’s (2016-2017) and Nationals (2017-2018), posting a 61-48 record with 91 saves and a 3.45 ERA in 731 games (18 starts).

2018 Topps Now - #171 - The Combined No No

On Friday the Dodgers did something remarkable. Not only did they hammer out nine hits for four runs (a rarity these days), but also threw their very first franchise combined no-hitter -- just the 12th ever in Major League history and 23rd no no in Dodgers' franchise history.

Blog Kiosk: 4/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

See... Nothing to worry about. Per Jay Paris at MLB.com:

“We’re starting to play more like us, which is nice,” Seager said.

The Dodgers are slowly but surely returning to the juggernaut we always knew they were.

"We played a full game,'' said Seager, who went 7-for-16 in the series. "We pitched well, we hit well, we came up with hits with runners on base. That is how you get it going and it is a really good recipe for success.''

Photo above via @Dodgers on Twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1890 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms (Dodgers) play their very first game as a member of the National League. In 1938 Dodgers outfielder Ernie Koy hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. In 1956 Roy Campanella recorded his 1,000th career hit at New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium - a tenth inning double. This was the first ever MLB game played in New Jersey. The Dodgers would play several home games here just prior to moving to Los Angeles. In 1968 Met's hurler Nolan Ryan throws an Immaculate Inning (three strikes out on nine pitches in one inning) against the Dodgers in the third inning.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Greenwood, RJ Reynolds, Brett Mayne, Jose Cruz, Dennys Reyes, George Sherrill, Joe Beimel & Alberto Callaspo!

Blog Kiosk: 3/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Noooooo!

!#%&!@#%&!!!!

Insert expletives above. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

Turner was hoping the X-rays would show something different, but he got the news after the game about the fracture and will talk to the doctors Tuesday to try to find out more. 

“It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to hear,” Turner said. “It started to feel better and better as I was in there doing X-rays, so I was pretty hopeful they would come back negative. You get the news, and it’s tough.”

Photo above via Nicholas Quay/Camelback Ranch at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 the great Babe Didrikson pitched the first inning against the Dodgers during an spring training game versus the Phildalphia A's at McCurdy Field in Frederick, Maryland. She walked one and gave up no hits. In 2005 the Dodgers traded starting pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii to the Mets for catcher Jason Phillips. In 2008 the Dodgers make their Cactus League debut. For the first time they would spend their spring training in Arizona. They would beat the White Sox in Phoenix, 8-2. 
• Happy Birthday, Pat Corrales, Mike Griffin, Joe McGinnity, Johnny Butler, Jim Golden, Terry McDermott, Rick Parker & Will Brunson!

Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ryu was excellent. He went six strong innings, striking out four, walking just one and allowing only one earned run. Per Joe Harris at MLB.com:

"During the warmup, when I was doing long tosses in the bullpen, I found out that all my four pitches were working to a pretty good level, so I knew I was going to have a pretty good outing," Ryu said through an interpreter. "I just wanted to make sure that I mixed them up."

Unfortunately, the Dodgers offense took the day off. They could only muster a single run in the 2-1 loss.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a franchise record for hitting six home runs in a game during their victory over the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field. Duke Snider hit three homers in the contest (becoming the first Dodger to do it twice), to go along with home runs by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella. In 1962 Don Drysdale defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th consecutive time - a streak that began in 1958. I remember this next incident so well. In 1997 Wilton Guerrero shattered hit bat during an at-bat and immediately scrambled to pick up the bat pieces instead of running to first base. Obviously, home plate umpire Steve Ripley got suspicious and subsequently searched the bat remains. He found cork and ejected Guerrero from the game. He would be suspended for eight games.
• Happy Birthday, Otto Miller, Ty Tyson, Ray Moore, Chuck Templeton, Ken McMullen & Derek Lowe!
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Earlier today the Jackie Robinson Foundation broke ground on the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York. You can watch the ceremony here. Per Della Britton, CEO of The Jackie Robinson Foundation:

"It will tell Jackie’s story as a gifted athlete and pioneering major leaguer who sacrificed and worked to unite..."

Photo above via the Jackie Robinson Foundation on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 Dodger reliever Clise Dudley became the first player to hit a home run on the first major league pitch thrown to him. In 1944 Jim Tobin of the Braves no-hits the Brooklyn Dodgers in Boston, 2-0. In 1990 Orel Hershiser undergoes surgery on his pitching shoulder. In 2004 Mets Catcher Mike Piazza ties Carlton Fisk for most career round-trippers by a catcher when he hit home run #351 against Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Hi Myers, Frank Wurm & Corey Seager!
  

Blog Kiosk: 7/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kuroda, Liberatore and the Hall of Fame

Congratulations to both Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. on their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.  Below is a closer look at their plaques.  Go here to watch Piazza's speech, or here for Junior's speech.

Photos above via MLB on twitter here and here.  Also, Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shared a bunch of great old pics featuring Piazza in Dodger Blue.  Go here to check those out.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Carl Furrillo is the first Dodger player to hit a home run at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ.  As you may know, the Dodgers played 15 home games there from 1956 to 1957.
• Happy Birthday, Guillermo Mota!

Blog Kiosk: 7/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Toles, McCarthy and Liberatore

It was "Pups in the Park" day at Dodger Stadium and the four-legged canine guest in attendance were entertained with a fantastic victory.  Brandon McCarthy went five innings; giving up three runs on three hits, three walks and six strike outs.  Per Ken Gurnick and Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"It felt very weird and it was a struggle, but at least I'm happy to get through five [innings], keep the game close and give the offense and bullpen a chance to win it," said McCarthy, who had surgery April 29 of last year.

As McCarthy said the bullpen was solid.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

 “I know all of us would like to get deeper into games and it’s something we want,” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of guys dealing with a lot of different situations, so it’s not a group of five horses that are healthy, happy and have been here all year. It’s guys that are a little bit of hodge-podge, so it’s on all of us to get deeper into games. The bullpen has been outstanding in picking us up, but we need to do our share in the second half to make sure we take some of the load off them.”

In fact, Dodgers reliever Adam Liberatore broke a franchise record last night.  He threw his 24th consecutive scoreless inning; breaking John Candelaria's record.

“He told me congrats, and I really didn’t know what he was talking about,” Liberatore said. “It seemed like a really weird thing to say in that situation. I’m getting pulled and the guy is saying congrats. I was like ‘What?’”

In the dugout, he soon learned what all the fuss was about, getting a game ball and the adoration from his teammates. The moment was made better for the Pittsburgh native when he learned of Candelaria’s involvement in the record.

“I know that name a little bit so that’s cool,” Liberatore said of the former Pirates and Dodgers pitcher.

The photos above via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jill and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game; including more dogs.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1943 a Dodgers clubhouse dispute almost leads to a players strike.  Teammates were at odds with management due to a suspension of pitcher Bobo Newsome.  Durocher suspended Newsome for insubordination and his teammates threatened to not play.  Eventually Branch Rickey intervenes and the game against Pittsburgh is played.  In 1984 Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Good combine to strike out six consecutive AL batters in the All-Star game in Candlestick Park.

Blog Kiosk: 5/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Magic, Ryu and Kenta Maeda

It was a hard luck night for Kenta Maeda.  He pitched well, and if not for the extraordinary exploits of the Noah Syndergaard at the plate Maeda and the Dodgers would likely have walked away with a win.  Via Anthony DiComo and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The nine-hitter hit two home runs and drove in four runs. You don't see that every day," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

No kidding.  The pitcher, who had hit a home run last season, recorded his first two hits of the season, and they both left the yard against the Dodgers.  Go figure!

Kenta had this to say:

"They were definitely not good pitches, the ones that he hit for home runs," said Maeda. "It ended up being a regrettable result contributing to a total of four runs."

Dave Roberts added, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“He was using his breaking ball a lot tonight and just didn’t have that sharpness to it, working behind hitters,” Dave Roberts said. “Didn’t have the fastball command. The homer to Syndergaard, the first one, was a misfire, and the other one was a backdoor breaking ball located down and away, and he’s a strong kid.

As has been said many times, this is the kind of game you just have to move on from.  They beat us fair and square, and all you can do is tip your hat.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics from the game by Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Carl Erskine threw his second career no-hitter against the Giants at Ebbets Field.  In 2004 Alex Cora had his famous 18 pitch at-bat (including 14 consecutive fouls balls) at Dodger Stadium against Matt Clement of the Cubs that culminated in an unbelievable two-run home run.  You can watch this at-bat here.
• Happy Birthday, Adam Liberatore!

Blog Kiosk: 4/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Scully, Maeda and Jackie Robinson Day

Today is Jackie Robinson Day.  Naturally, I had to find a photo of Jackie to share here, and I think I found the perfect one.  Featured above are two young kids, Jackie and wife Rachel, having a dance in Puerto Rico in 1950.  I'm unsure of the circumstances surrounding the photograph.  Pic via Jorge Colon-Delgado in twitter.

BTW, Dave Roberts had this to say about today, via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“[Newcombe] was his roommate,” Roberts said. “As much as [Newcombe] wants to talk about Jackie and his story, and what he went through, and Maury [Wills] sharing stories, Manny Mota, I’ll listen. Just to be back in a Dodgers uniform and in this capacity, to have these guys who I have known for a decade and sometimes even hear the same stories, that’s what’s great about it. It’s like it’s the first time I’ve ever heard them. But [Friday] will be a special day for sure.”

Below are more links to check out:

• Why I love Vin Scully.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Listen up, Vin Scully is about to school you on the number 13."

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 29/Home Game 16

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (13-12-3) at San Diego Padres (8-19-2)
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. PT | Peoria Sports Complex
RHP Ross Stripling (1-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Colin Rea (0-0, 5.82)
TV: None Radio: None

------------------

(Camelback Ranch, pic via Camelback Ranch on twitter)

ALMOST THERE: The Dodgers face the San Diego Padres for the second time this spring and their last road game in the Phoenix area. Los Angeles fell to the Padres, 12-5, March 20 at Camelback Ranch during a split-squad contest. Following today’s contest, the Dodgers have one game left at Camelback Ranch tomorrow, before beginning the Freeway Series Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

Blog Kiosk: 3/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Libertore, Ryu and Jamey Wright

You gotta respect a man who wants to give it one last try.  After all, calling it quits is the toughest thing to do.  Via Ken Gurnick on twitter, 19-year veteran pitcher Jamey Wright is retiring. Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"I have no regrets in this game. Everything I got I had to work really, really hard for," Wright said. "What I tell some of the young guys is that the hardest thing to do is staying in the big leagues, and there is no excuse for letting somebody out-work you."

Wright said he might one day get into coaching, but for now he was focused on "being with the most important team," his wife and three kids.

"I am very blessed to be in the clubhouse and be with these guys I missed it last year and I will continue to miss it," Wright said. "One thing about pitching for 10 different teams, I've got more friends than anybody. That's one of my greatest accomplishments."

As you will recall, Jamey spent the winter working out with Clayton Kershaw after seemingly being done with the game and just got that itch.  Via Andy McCullough at the LA Times in February:

“The first time out felt great. The second time felt even better. Then we started getting some other guys in there throwing, but I wanted to keep throwing. I wanted to take it through and see how it feels.”

Check out Wright's statistics here.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check out:

• Mike Noren at Cecil Cooperstown shares original drawings that look like Baseball cards of ballplayers who are underappreciated.  Check out the drawing he did of Steve Garvey here.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 22/Road Game 12

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-9-2) at Kansas City Royals (10-13)
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 – 6:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Stadium
LHP Alex Wood (0-1, 5.40) vs. RHP Chris Young (1-1, 5.63)
TV: SNLA & MLB Network (no blackout) Radio: None

------------------

(Kenta Maeda, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SNAP OUT OF IT!: The Dodgers, who have lost their last six games, look to snap their losing streak as they face the World Champion Kansas City Royals for the second time this spring at Surprise Stadium this evening. Yesterday, the Dodgers fell to the Mariners at Camelback Ranch, 6-3, despite third baseman Justin Turner going 3-for-3 with a homer, two doubles and three RBI. Turner is now 7-for-12 (.583) with four doubles, five runs scored and four RBI in just five Cactus League games this spring. On the mound, starter Kenta Maeda was solid, allowing two runs and four hits in 5.0 innings while striking out five. In four starts this spring, Maeda has posted a 1.32 ERA (2 ER/13.2 IP) and limited opposing hitters to a .216 average with 14 strikeouts. Additionally, Dodger mainstays Chris Hatcher (0.2 IP), J.P. Howell (0.2 IP), Yimi Garcia (1.1) and Kenley Jansen (1.0) all tossed scoreless baseball. 

• The Dodgers are playing the Royals for the second time this spring, following last Thursday’s 5-1 loss at Camelback Ranch. The two clubs last met in the regular season during the 2014 campaign, when Los Angeles took two of three in Kansas City.

GET WELL SOON: Today, the Dodgers announced that outfielder Andre Ethier sustained a right tibia fracture and will miss the next 10-14 weeks.

(Turner and AGON, pic via MLB on twitter)

NO MINOR THING: Several minor leaguers will be suiting up for the Dodgers, including right-handed pitchers Red Patterson (#89), Logan Bawcom (88) and Felipe Gonzalez (91), left-handed pitcher Dustin Richardson (94), catcher Jack Murphy (60), infielders Adam Law (0), Brandon Trinkwon (69) and Willie Calhoun (84) and outfielder Alex Verdugo (90).

MORE ROSTER MOVES: Following yesterday’s game, the Dodgers reassigned infielder Brandon Hicks, catcher Shawn Zarraga, outfielder Corey Brown and infielder/outfielder Cody Bellinger to minor league camp. The Dodgers now have 42 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• LHP Alex Wood will make his third start of the spring, after allowing one run in 3.0 innings Thursday against the Royals. The 25-year-old left-hander posted career numbers last season, winning a career-high 12 games (12-12) in 32 combined starts, while posting a 3.84 ERA.
• RHP Louis Coleman is expected to make his seventh Cactus League outing (0 ER/6.0 IP), last pitching 1.0 scoreless inning of relief against the White Sox. Coleman has given up just two hits and no runs thus far. He enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.
• RHP Pedro Baez will pitch in his seventh game of the spring, after tossing 1.0 scoreless frame against San Diego. He went 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 52 relief appearances last season.
• LHP Adam Liberatore will take the mound for the eighth time this spring (2 ER/6.1 IP), after most recently striking out the one and only batter he faced Sunday against Milwaukee. Liberatore saw his first big league action last season with the Dodgers, going 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 39 games.
• LHP Luis Avilan will pitch in his seventh Cactus League game, last pitching .1 of an inning against Seattle Monday. He combined to go 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 73 relief appearances for the Braves and the Dodgers last season.

(Justin Turner, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 17/Road Game 9

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-4-2) at Arizona Diamondbacks (12-4-1)
Friday, March 18, 2016 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
RHP Brandon Beachy (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Zack Godley (0-0, 7.20)
TV: None Radio: AM 570 (English)

Today's Dodger lineup:
Ethier LF
Kendrick 2B
Turner 3B
Utley 1B
Puig RF
Grandal C
Hernandez SS
Thompson CF
Beachy P

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 18, 2016

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(Alex Wood, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

MOVING FORWARD: The Dodgers, who are back on the road today, will take on the Diamondbacks in their last match-up of the spring at Salt River Fields. Los Angeles fell to the World Champion Kansas City Royals in yesterday’s contest, a 5-1 defeat at Camelback Ranch. At the plate, Joc Pederson doubled in the first inning and then was driven in by a Scott Van Slyke double to record the lone run for the Dodgers. On the mound, Alex Wood allowed just one run on four hits in 3.0 innings in his second start of the spring and Kenley Jansen, Louis Coleman and Pedro Baez each tossed a scoreless inning of relief, while Ross Stripling recorded four strikeouts in two scoreless frames.

(Van Slyke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

• The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 7-2, in their last meeting on March 5 at Camelback Ranch.
• Los Angeles, who will host Arizona in its home regular-season opener on April 12, took the 2015 season series from the Diamondbacks, 13-6.

LIGHTING’EM UP: The Dodger offense has been clicking on all cylinders this spring, ranking among the National League clubs in slugging percentage .482 (2nd), batting average .283 (3rd) and on-base percentage (T-3rd). Individually, Scott Van Slyke ranks among the NL’s best in average (.414, 2nd), home runs (3, T-8th), on-base percentage (.500, T-3rd) and slugging percentage (.828, 3rd), while Austin Barnes and Rob Segedin are tied for second with four Spring Training homers.

(Agon at WBC, pic via WBC on twitter)

VIVA MEXICO!: The Dodgers would like to congratulate Adrian Gonzalez and Team Mexico on its 2-1 win in last night’s WBC qualifier against the Czech Republic! Gonzalez finished the night going 0-for-1 with three walks and a run scored. Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, who served as a pitching coach for Team Mexico in the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics, tournaments, threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game in Mexicali. Team Mexico will face Nicaragua on Friday at Mexicali.

TRIMMING THE ROOM: The Dodgers made their second cuts of the spring after yesterday’s game, optioning INF Micah Johnson, RHP Yaisel Sierra, RHP Ross Stripling and LHP Ian Thomas, while reassigning RHP Jose De Leon, LHP Julio Urias and C Jack Murphy to minor-league camp. The Dodgers have 47 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Brandon Beachy will make his second start of the spring, throwing 3.0 scoreless frames against the Cubs March 12. Beachy, who has appeared in two games thus far during Spring Training, has yet to give up a run in 5.0 innings of work. He made two starts with the Dodgers in 2015 after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
• RHP Yimi Garcia will make his sixth appearance, last pitching Wednesday against the Rockies, allowing one run in an inning of relief. He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd).
• LHP Adam Liberatore will appear in his sixth Cactus League game, after tossing a perfect inning Wednesday against Colorado. Liberatore saw his first big league action last season with the Dodgers, going 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 39 games.
• LHP Luis Avilan will appear in his fifth game of the spring, after striking out the only batter he faced against the White Sox Tuesday. He combined to go 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 73 relief appearances for the Braves and the Dodgers last season.
• RHP Jamey Wright has thrown 3.1 innings of work in four outings this spring (6 ER), last pitching Tuesday against the White Sox. Wright, a 19-year MLB veteran, last pitched in the Majors in 2014, going 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 61 appearances with the Dodgers.

(Kiké Hernandez, pic via Dodgers tumblr)

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Blog Kiosk: 11/24/2015 - Dodger Links - It's All About Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts is the rage right now.  He has taken over the town like a gaggle of zombies parading down main street.  Since the rumors and subsequent announcement broke there's hardly been room on the newswires for anything but Dave Roberts... And that's a good thing because, by and large, when news this momentous engulfs a city like Los Angeles and it's not bad, then you know you're on to something.  And that something feels like that old Dodger magic.

Featured above is one of many photographs dug up by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo and shared on his blog.  Go here to check out a bunch more from him.

Below are more links to check out:

• We may have a new trainer joining the Dodgers soon, via Will Carroll on twitter:

Hearing dodgers have new head trainer selected. Neal Rampe from Dbacks.

— Will Carroll (@injuryexpert) November 24, 2015

• How did I ever miss this?  Back in August Gabe Kapler wrote that men should...LOL... Well, men should make that extra effort to get some sun.  Via Kevin Draper at Deadspin, "Gabe Kapler's Advice To Baseball Players: Get A Nice Tan On Your Nuts." Wha?  (Hat Tip: reddit u/DOCKhobo)

Kapler writes about how vitamin d—which you mostly get from sunshine—is important for testosterone production, and that baseball players likely don’t get enough of it because they’re suited and booted with a cap on out in the field. Kapler’s solution to this problem is for baseball players to sunbathe in their birthday suit and get some sol on their cojones. 

• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Looking at some fastball-slider lefty options."

If they don’t acquire a lefty reliever with a good slider, it’s possible Liberatore gets a long look at the opening day bullpen. Having a lefty who can throw a good slider against left-handed hitters is far from a bad thing to have. And I know we’re all waiting for Howell to pumpkin, because everything is seemingly going against him being as good as he’s been the last few seasons. Maybe he’ll prove everyone wrong, which would be for the best.

• BTW, here are some more praises for Dave Roberts:

Huge congrats to the @dodgers for hiring an incredible guy to lead the team. Dave Roberts is going to be there for a long time

— Shawn Green (@shawngreen15) November 24, 2015

Congrats on my man Dave Roberts getting the Dodgers managing job! The Dodgers organization is in good hands a guy I always looked up to!

— Juan Pierre (@JPBeastMode) November 24, 2015

#Congratulations to My New Manager Dave Roberts #dodgers #2016 #newyear #newmanager https://t.co/J5d54pnHJX

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) November 23, 2015

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2015 Topps Update Baseball - All the Dodger Base Cards

The final installment of Topps flagship Baseball card set is now in stores. Officially released today is the 2015 Topps Update Baseball card set, and it includes 23 Dodgers' in the base set.  Considering the large number of transactions the front office pulled off towards the end of the season this number should be of no surprise.  First time Dodgers with Blue cardboard include Luis Avilan, Josh Ravin, Enrique Hernandez, Adam Liberatore, Juan Nicasio, Mike Bolsinger, Jim Johnson, Mat Latos and Alex Wood.  Go here for a complete checklist of the set.

BTW, I have included pics of the gold parallel for the Mat Latos and Alex Wood cards.  Those are numbered to #/2015, so they are fairly common.

#US37 Luis Avilan

#US50 Alex Guerrero                            #US51 Yasmani Grandal

Dodgers' Celebrate on Social Media

You gotta love how the world today brings about an instant connection with your favorite team and players.  It's like we're enjoying the moment right with them.  So, take a second to check out some of my favorite tweets, instagrams and whatnot's from your Los Angeles Dodgers.

To start, check out the fantastic selfie above taken by Justin Turner and shared on instagram.  Clayton looks downright mortified.  It's like he can't believe what's going on.  AJ Ellis, on the other hand, does his best Miley Cyrus impression.

Blog Kiosk: 9/23/2015 - Dodger Links - RIP, Yogi Berra

RIP, Yogi Berra.

He was an incredible opponent and an even better person.  Roundly beloved by just about everyone, Yogi Berra will be sorely missed.  For sure, his "Yogism's" will live on forever in folklore - told by one generation to another for the next thousand years or more.

In honor of him I dug up the above press photo from the 1951 All-Star Game.  It originally comes from eBay.  As you can see, Yogi is sliding home as the ball sails past the bewildered Dodger legend Roy Campanella.

You should also check out Mark Langill's story at Dodger Insider about the famous steal of home by Jackie Robinson on Berra during the 1955 World Series, here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Dodger writer Howard Cole shares his fantastic story.  Via Howard Cole at CNN iReport, "A 25-year Transplant Survivor Shares His Story, and His Gratitude for the Gift of Life."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers hopeful for return to full health." 

"I definitely would like to play with a full boat, a full complement of players healthy with some type of rhythm and swinging the bat well," (Mattingly) said. "Unfortunately, we've got a few guys banged up, and we're not a lot different than a lot of other teams. We're heading toward 180, 190 games including Spring Training. That's a lot of baseball, and everybody is a little banged up right now."

• This is good news.  Via Vincent Samperio at Dodgers Nation, "Justin Turner Calls MRI Results The ‘Best Case’

After sitting out two games, the 30-year-old underwent an MRI and discussed the results. The MRI showed tendinitis and a bone bruise in his knee. Based on that, Turner believes he will be back in the starting lineup in a couple days. He was happy with what the examination showed. “This was pretty much the best case we could’ve had,” he said. “But, there’s not really a whole lot medicine-wise to speed it up. So, it’s kind of a good-case, bad-case thing.” 

• I would prefer they not use him in Colorado - if it can be helped.  After all, I see no reason to risk anything now.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen expects to be available to pitch at Coors Field."

Jansen's history of health scares in Colorado could be a problem considering he is far and away their most effective reliever and the Dodgers are hoping to clinch the NL West title there this weekend to make next week's four-game series in San Francisco an afterthought. Jansen said he will be ready if called upon at Coors.

"I'm good to go," Jansen said. "It's not an issue for me there any more."

• ICYMI:  The Dodgers have added Adam Liberatore to the active roster.  Per a Dodger press release:

Liberatore has gone 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 35 games with the Dodgers this year, last appearing on July 20 at Atlanta. After making his big league debut on April 17, Liberatore opened his career with nine consecutive scoreless appearances and, overall, he has limited opposing hitters to a .222 batting average with 26 strikeouts in 26.0 innings in the Majors this year. He did not allow a run in his last five appearances with Oklahoma City, last pitching in a postseason game against Round Rock on Sept. 11, and went 0-1 with three saves and a 3.74 ERA in 19 Triple-A games.

• I thought I would pass this link on.  For a bunch of great memorabilia photographs from the recent National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago go to the Sports Antique website, here.  There are hundred of great pics to go through.
• Here is something fun.  Check out a custom made Lego build of Dodger Stadium available for sale at Stadium Brick.com, here.  It consist of over 2,500 bricks.  

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Blog Kiosk: 5/26/2015 - Dodger Links - Going on a Coffee Run

A new tradition has been created.  As you'll recall, last season Joc Pederson was called on by the Dodger veterans in the clubhouse to fetch some coffee from a nearby Starbucks in Chicago (as evidenced by this photo instagramed by Joc), so naturally they rounded up several more rookies (including the twice-struck Joc) to carry out the task once again.  Featured above is Mike Bolsinger, Joc Pederson and Adam Liberatore posing with said cups after completing their job.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 on twitter.

J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers has a collection of photos found on social media: "Call it a tradition: Dodgers rookies make Starbucks run for veteran teammates."  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a video here.  Jon SooHoo has a whole bunch of pics from the event on his blog here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Farmer, Gonzalez tabbed for Futures Game."
• Dodgers Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach Ryan Faer writes, "What is Sport-Specific Training for Baseball?"

The planned and periodized training program will usually start on the general training side at the beginning of the off-season, and work its way toward the more specific end of the continuum as the off-season goes along. The rationale behind this is quite simple: build a base of strength and motor control with general training, and then progress and transfer those adaptations to more specific training that matches the demands of the sport.

• Hmmmm.  Via a tweet from David Vassegh:

Don Mattingly said Andrew Friedman has presented some trade scenarios to him #Dodgers #TradeTalk

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 25, 2015

• The National Sports Collectors Convention is around the corner, so slowly but surely we'll be getting news about the various promotional / VIP sets being given to collectors.  Topps just announced that they'll be giving out a five-card "cards that never were" set featuring some Hall of Famers in a 1953 Bowman color format; including the Jackie Robinson card below.  Go here to see the other four cards.

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