A Whole Ton of Dodgers 2016 Topps Now Cards are Now Available - Kershaw Autographs

There are now a bunch of 2016 Topps Now Dodger cards commemorating last nights thrilling victory currently available for sale; including a limited number of Clayton Kershaw autograph and autographed game-used relic cards.

Featured above is the first of four base cards in the set.  It highlights Julio Urias' mark as the youngest Dodger pitcher to ever win a game in the postseason.  Go here to check it out and order.  Per the reverse:

Twenty-year-old pitcher Julio Urias entered Game 5 of the NLDS in the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Dodgers trailing the Washington Nationals, 1-0.  In doing so, Urias became the youngest pitcher in Dodgers history to pitch in a Postseason game, and the youngest pitcher in MLB to pitch in a Postseason game since 1970.  Urias recorded two clean innings of work, and was credited with the win, as the Dodgers took the lead with a four-run seventh inning, which led to an eventual 4-3, series-clinching victory.

Blog Kiosk: 11/23/2015 - Dodger Links - Wills, Scully and a couple of new International Dodger Prospects

I figured the best way to start this morning was by sharing this fantastic AP action photograph of Maury Wills attempting a tag on Pirates runner Bob Skinner in 1960.  Unfortunately, the throw from catcher Johnny Roseboro was far off the mark, so the outfielder slid in safely for the steal.

Of note, this photograph was a part of "The George Michael Collection" who was a noted collector of Baseball sliding press photographs and former host of the once popular Sport Machine that aired opn television before the advent of ESPN.  It was a nationally syndicated Sunday evening show featuring the best sports highlights of the week.

BTW, I thought this photo was apt considering the recent news of Dave Roberts' hiring as the new Dodger coach.  As you may know, Wills and Roberts have an extremely tight bond.  Via David Vassegh on twitter:

Maury Wills & Dave Roberts formed tight bond in winter before '02 season. DR would drive from SD 3 x week to Dodger Stadium to work w/Maury

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) November 23, 2015

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Scully wins Best Call for Dodgers' balk-off win."

Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully was named winner of the Esurance MLB Award for Best Call, TV during the Dodgers' balk-off win over the Rangers on June 18.

• Dodgers add another infielder to the minors, via Chris Octillo on twitter:

Source: Dodgers sign Charlie Culberson to minor-league deal. NRI to spring training.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 21, 2015

• Heisey moves on.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chris Heisey signs minor league deal with Nationals as NRI."
• Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, "Dodgers Agree To Sign Cuban Outfielder Yusniel Diaz." 

The Dodgers have an agreement to sign 19-year-old Cuban outfielder Yusniel Diaz for $15.5 million. Since Diaz is subject to the international bonus pools, the total price tag for the Dodgers will be $31 million, since they will have to pay a 100 percent overage tax on their pool signings. Even before reaching an agreement with Diaz, the Dodgers were already over their bonus pool, which means they won’t be able to sign any pool-eligible players for more than $300,000 for two years once the 2016-17 signing period begins on July 2. MLB.com first reported the agreement.

Diaz, who ranked No. 17 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Cuban player rankings in April, is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds with a lively, athletic frame and a track record of hitting well throughout the Cuban junior national leagues. After playing on Cuba’s 18U junior national team in 2013 and 2014, Diaz was a rookie with Industriales this past 2014-15 season in Serie Nacional. Diaz ranked sixth in the league in batting average, hitting .348/.447/.440 in 65 games with 36 walks, 33 strikeouts and seven stolen bases in 15 attempts. He almost certainly would have been the league’s rookie of the year had he not left the country soon after the season ended, but the award went to shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez instead.

• Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, "Dodgers Agree To Sign Cuban Second Baseman Omar Estevez."

“Estevez was kind of under the radar tools-wise, but he can hit,” said one scout. “It’s playable defense and he’s not the most agile guy to be in the middle of the diamond, but he has a polished bat. It’s not an athletic body, it’s not what you get excited about, but the way he recognizes pitches, his approach—you don’t see a lot of kids his age doing that.”

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Dodgers’ other broadcaster set to return in 2016."
  

  Longtime Dodgers employee and former MLB manager Kevin Kennedy will be returning to the AM 570 LA Sports radio broadcast booth on a part time basis for the 2016 season.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2015 - Dodger Links - Club Options, Qualifying Offers and Free Agents

With the Dodgers search for a new manager in full steam I thought the above 1934 International News press photo of two former Dodger skippers standing side-by-side to be timely.  Featured are Max Carey (left, manager from 1932 to 1933) and Casey Stengel (right, manager from 1934-1936) wearing their Brooklyn garb.  The above pic was found at the current Touchdown Treasures auction.  Check it out here.

Below are more links to check out:

• To the surprise of no one, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers To Make Qualifying Offers To Anderson, Kendrick, Greinke."
• Check out who else elects to become a free agent, via a tweet from Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

Source: Chris Heisey is now a free agent. Cleared outright waivers.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) November 6, 2015

• Unsurprisingly, these three Dodgers' from the 2015 team will also be free agents, via JP Hoornstra on twitter:

#Dodgers are declining club options on Arroyo, Peralta and Utley.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) November 6, 2015

• Via Arash Markazi at ESPN, "Experts: Parkinson's disease shouldn't keep Kirk Gibson from managing again."

"I have patients who are teachers, professors, lawyers, doctors, bankers who are actively doing well with Parkinson's," said Dr. Michael Kaplitt, a neurosurgeon and associate professor of neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. "They're actively productive, and it doesn't prevent them from doing a variety of professions.

"You have to understand your limitations, but patients can do a variety of professions where their expertise and their mind are very valuable and the disability they have from the disease is well-enough controlled where they can be extraordinarily productive."

• Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors shares their, "2015-16 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions" here.  They believe Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson will remain Dodgers'.  Furthermore, they suggest the Dodgers might be in the running for the services of David Price, Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir, John Lackey or JA Happ.
• Joc Pederson is the Banksy of the Major Leagues.  He shared the below photo on Instagram yesterday:

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Blog Kiosk: 9/25/2015 - Dodger Links - Heisey, Hernandez and Ismael Valdez

WooHoo!

Chris Heisey sure did make the most of his opportunities yesterday afternoon.  With the Dodgers still down by a run in the 5th inning he came up to bat with the bases full, and unloaded to deep left for a grand slam.  His homer would give the club a four run cushion and more than enough runs to end the homestand with a victory.  You can watch his home run here.

Considering the roller coaster season he's had it's nice to see him contribute in a big way.  No doubt he's ecstatic that the front office decided to bring him back from Toronto after being released by the Dodgers in mid-August.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I had a tough year, up and down, haven’t played like I wanted, but it’s nice to help the team get a win, especially when we need wins to clinch a playoff berth,” Heisey said. “I know Clayton didn’t want to come out of the game. He pitched well, gave up a few runs, but I felt he was in pretty good control. He was a little frustrated coming out, but it was great to get him the win, like I said, and get the team the win.”

Kershaw had this to say about Heisey, via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

“For those guys to step up like that. … Heisey, he’s such a gamer, I love Heis, for him to do that after the kind of year he’s had, it’s unbelievable. I’m thankful, honestly.”

Photo above of Chris Heisey being greeted at home plate by Tuner and Kendrick via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics from Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder from yesterday's game.  BTW, the "Magic Number is now at 3 games.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Hernandez progressing toward return to Dodgers."
  

  "Kiké for me, 100 percent, he's going to play this season. Unless he has a setback in these next few days," Mattingly said. "He's been running at full speed -- or really close to it -- three or four times and bounced back and recovered every time."

  Puig, on the other hand, is a work in progress.  He may not be back before the end of the season
  

  "Yasiel, the most I've seen on a report is 70 percent. He's still having problems running," Mattingly said.

• There will probably be a bunch of cards like this coming directly from Topps over the coming months.  Available now are limited edition tribute posters that use the vintage 1952 Baseball design of Corey Seager.  They measure 10"x14", are numbered to 99 copies and can be purchased for $29.99.  Check it out here, and a pic is on the right.  The "1 of 1" edition is already sold out.
• Former Dodger pitcher Ismael Valdez has been busy in his native Mexico working to promote and develop Baseball in the country, via Deporte.org, "Unidos CONADE e Ismael Valdez por el impulso del beisbol."  With CONADE (Mexico's National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport) Valdez spoke with over 50 kids and their parents on the importance of teamwork.

• I thought this was worth listening to if you hadn't already.  Below, Vin Scully talks a bit about the passing of Baseball legend Yogi Berra.

Video Link:

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Welcome Back to the Blue, Justin Ruggiano!

Just before Monday evenings waiver wire deadline (thereby making the acquired player eligible for the postseason) the Dodgers made a trade with the Seattle Mariner's to bring back a former Dodger farmhand.  They picked up current minor league outfielder Justin Ruggiano, "along with cash considerations, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations."

Ruggiano was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2004 draft out of Texas A&M.  (Check out his rookie card in Dodger Blue above)  He immediately excelled and found himself with the Double-AA Jacksonville Suns the next year.  Then he was bundled with Dioner Navarro and Jae Seo to Tampa Bay in 2006 for Toby Hall and ex-basketball player Mark Hendrickson.  BTW, the President of the Rays at that time is current Dodger President Andrew Friedman.

This trade, along with the other trade last night bringing outfielder Chris Heisey back into the Dodger fold, creates a bit of a glut in the outfield.  Nevertheless, it provides some insurance and depth considering how fragile some of our players currently are, i.e. Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig.  Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors also tells us another good reason why Friedman decided to pull off this trade:

While Ruggiano failed to match his productive 2014 in the early going, he wasn’t actually that bad, putting up a .214/.321/.357 batting line over 81 plate appearances. And he’s slashed .296/.385/.514 with ten home runs in 205 plate appearances at Triple-A since being outrighted.

Most importantly, even during his MLB time this year, Ruggiano continued to hit lefties hard, as he has throughout his career. He’ll presumably be looked upon as an option against southpaws in Los Angeles. The Dodgers were in need of another right-handed-hitting outfield bat down the stretch after seeing both Yasiel Puig and Kike Hernandez go down to injuries in recent days.

Against left-handers in Seattle he was slashing .263/.349/.474, and in his career he is slashing .266/.331/.505.  Surprisingly, he's been hitting a bit better against right-handers while in Triple-AAA Tacoma this year.  He is hitting .319/.404/.496 against right-handers and .250/.348/.550 against left-handers.  So, maybe Freidman figures he's found a potential diamond in the rough.

Via Jeff Morosi on twitter, both he and Chris Heisey will be at Dodger Stadium for tonight's game.

Justin Ruggiano and Chris Heisey expected to be at Dodger Stadium and on active roster for tonight's #Dodgers game.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 1, 2015

In celebration of Ruggiano's return to the franchise I made the above fantasy card for him (see on the right).  I used a photograph grabbed from Mariner's photo day this past Spring (Christian Peterson/Getty) and the 1972 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 9/1/2015 - Dodger Links - A Couple of Trades and Kiké Hernandez 's Magic Banana Suit

The magic of the banana knows no bounds.

With the game tied in extra innings, Kiké Hernandez came out of the clubhouse to provide some good luck.  Via Matthew Moreno on twitter:

Kiké put on the banana suit/jacket around the 12th, Friedman told him to go back to the dugout and that he would pay his fine.

— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) September 1, 2015

It obviously worked.  The Dodgers beat the Giants on a walkoff single by Adrian Gonzalez in the 14th inning, 5-4.

Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos taken by Jon from yesterday's game.  Below are more links to check out:

• Ah, crap!  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Enrique Hernandez could be out for weeks with hamstring strain." In Hernandez's place is catcher Austin Barnes.  BTW, with it being roster expansion time the Dodgers have also called up Joe Jackson, Joel Peralta and Mike Bolsinger from the minor leagues.
• Check out the cover of the September issue of Dodger Insider magazine, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.  A pic of it is on the right.  Clayton Kershaw is on the cover.
• Via David Schoenfield at ESPN, "How bad baserunning has hurt the Dodgers."  This story makes me wonder if this is the Dee Gordon effect. That's not to say we never should have traded Gordon.  After all, we've benefited greatly from the players we got, but it's clear that his prowess on the basepaths have been sorely missed.
• Sometimes they come full circle.  Per Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers To Acquire Justin Ruggiano."  As you may know, Ruggiano was originally drafted by the Dodgers before being traded to Tampa Bay a couple of years later.  Here's the gist of why this trade is likely being done:

Most importantly, even during his MLB time this year, Ruggiano continued to hit lefties hard, as he has throughout his career. He’ll presumably be looked upon as an option against southpaws in Los Angeles. The Dodgers were in need of another right-handed-hitting outfield bat down the stretch after seeing both Yasiel Puig and Kike Hernandez go down to injuries in recent days.

• Jeff Todd also adds that the Dodgers have reacquired Chris Heisey from Toronto.  Wha...?
• It is welcome news that he is being reconsidered, but as stated in the following article it's likely to come to pass.  After all, Joe did take the money.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum says MLB has come to a decision on reinstatement." UPDATE: Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Vary Good, "Shoeless Joe to Remain Banned from Baseball."

“I have reviewed our records concerning the responses of both Commissioner (Bart) Giamatti and Commissioner (Fay) Vincent, who declined to reconsider Mr. Jackson’s case,” Manfred stated in a letter to Marcley. “I agree with that determination and conclude that it would not be appropriate for me to re-open the matter.”

I think this should settle things.  If they won't consider Joe Jackson for reinstatement then they sure as hell won't consider Pete Rose.

• This is super ridiculous, and hilarious.  Via Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge, "The "Chicago Cubs No Hitter" Indicator Spells Doom For The Market."

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Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Urias, Hernandez and Turner

In addition to coming out to Dodger Stadium on occasion to sign autographs for fans, Matt Luke likes to spend time with Dodger hopefuls to teach the fine art of the game.  Featured above in a photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 is Luke demonstrating the basics of pitching to a large group of kids in the bullpen. 

Below are some links to check out:

• Happy belated birthday to Julio Urias.  He turned 19-years old yesterday.  To celebrate it appears that he retweeted every person to wish him a "Happy Birthday" yesterday.  Check out his feed here: @theteenager7.  
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Kiké Hernandez about to reap rewards of his versatility."

"The best way I can help the team win right now is as a super utility," Hernandez said in March "I'm only 23, I don't see myself as a utility player, but at the moment it's what I have to do to help the team win, so that's what I'm going to do."

• Via Chi Davidi at SportsNet.ca, recently released Dodger outfielder Chris Heisey to sign with the Blue Jays.
• He should be reactivated soon.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Justin Turner details his scary infection."
  

  "It was scary. It's not a joking matter,"Turner said. "I didn't think it was that bad until I came in after the off-day and [trainer] Stan [Conte] told me I had to get to the emergency room. A couple days later, I was told it was MRSA. That's a pretty scary situation and they got me on all kinds of medicine to get rid of it.”

• Clayton Kershaw is now the 10th player in history to record at least 200 strikeouts in six straight seasons, via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com.

"It's cool when you get to be associated with those guys," Kershaw said. "I like consistency. When you look around at the Mark Buehrle streak, the Dan Harens, the guys that don't go on the DL that are around a long time, I have a lot of respect for those guys." 

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Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Wow.  Check this out.  Here is a photograph of the rotunda within Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.  For whatever reason, there are very few photos of this part of the ballpark.  Pic via @MLBcathedrals on twitter.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Mattingly ready to turn page on Pirates series."

"We don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves," Don Mattingly said. "Nothing happened here in Pittsburgh that changes our mind about our club. Basically, we had a chance to win every game in the series. We're lucky, really, where we're at. Nothing changes my mind that we can play with anybody."

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw team up for charity."  Go here to find out more and to participate.

Pujols and Kershaw have launched a joint fundraising drive for their foundations, with two grand prize winners getting to play wiffle ball with the two stars at Angel Stadium next month. The minimum donation for the raffle is $10; other prizes are available.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly meets with Yasiel Puig about playing time." 

“I just let him know that he’s not just going to automatically be out of there against righties. He’s going to be in there, it’s just occasional days off,” Mattingly said. “I know a couple have come here recently as we want to mix Carl back in.

• Via Scott Eden at ESPN, "Federal investigations into Cuban smuggling, Major League Baseball slow."

But people with knowledge of the federal probes have told Outside the Lines that the MLB piece of the investigation has slowed, as federal agents have struggled to convince officials at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami that enough evidence exists to move forward.

• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Release Chris Heisey."
• The Shorpy photo blog shares a fantastic family photo from early 1965, here.  It features a couple of kids on top of a wooden bench playing with a toy.  What makes this pic noteworthy is that the oldest kid is wearing a vintage Dodger t-shirt that must be from the 1963 Dodger season.  Check it out here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "(Brett) Anderson injures right wrist on checked swing."

Anderson developed tendinitis in his right (non-throwing) wrist after a checked swing in an at-bat against Oakland's Sonny Gray on July 28. He is undergoing acupuncture and wearing a protective brace when not at the ballpark in an attempt to reduce the inflammation.

"I wouldn't be Brett Anderson without having stuff nobody's seen," the self-deprecating lefty said.

Check out a pic of some of those acupuncture needles in his arm via his instagram account, here.

• Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Very provides a brief update on a couple of former Dodger players: "Brian Wilson is Jacked" and "Andruw Jones Is Hoping For A Comeback."

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Blog Kiosk: 5/12/2015 - Dodger Links - Olivera, Dee Gordon and the Ugliest Dodger Cap Ever Made

This moment just warmed my heart.

Former Dodger second baseman Dee Gordon came into town for the first time since being traded over the winter and received an overwhelming standing ovation from the fans.  Go here to watch a video of it.  He has gone through many ups and downs in his short Major League career, and has seemingly persevered through it all.  Ever conscious of his failings, he did what was necessary to rework his game, and in turn was reborn into the leagues most valuable lead-off hitter.

Of course, I could give you some fancy stats that indicate that his hot start this year isn't sustainable (duh!), but that would be gratuitous and ultimately irrelevant.  The only thing that really matters is that one of the "good guys" in this league is making good, and I can do nothing but continue to root for his continued success.

The above photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos of yesterday's game from him.  Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "The plan for Kenley Jansen."
• Mike Bolsinger, who was pitching in AAA for the Dodgers, is now in Los Angeles (via a tweet from David Vassegh) and is slated to pitch tonight's game.  Chris Heisey has been optioned to AAA.
• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Dodgers awaiting results of Puig's MRI." 
• Here's some interesting news about a couple of recent Cuban Dodger signees, via a tweet from Bill Plunkett.  He is expected to be in Los Angeles soon to have a physical and finalize his contract.  I wonder if it is reasonable to expect either of them to wear Blue this season.

Both #Dodgers Cuban signees IF Hector Olivera and RHP Pablo Fernandez have received visas. Cleared to travel to US. Expected later this week

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 11, 2015

• Clearly, the ugliest Dodger cap ever made.  Via Paul Lukas at UniWatch, an exclusive look at this years MLB 4th of July caps.

This is the kind of American flag cap you’d find at a gas station (right next to the cheap sunglasses and the air freshener thingies), but with a team logo slapped on the front. It’s tempting to call it self-parody, but it feels two or three levels more absurd than that. Come on, people — have some dignity out there.

• This story at NJ.com has me very uneasy; "Jets' salutes honor N.J. National Guard but cost taxpayers."  The idea that the military/National Guard needed to pay a sports franchise to honor those who serve is a bit unseemly.  Ya know what I mean?  Do other teams in other sports receive compensation from tax payers for their "heroes of the game?"

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Blog Kiosk: 5/7/2015 - Dodger Links - Pederson's Streak, Puig to Rehab and Ryu's Velocity is Down

Joe Wieland had a terrible start to his Dodger career.  He gave up five runs in the first inning, but quickly settled down at one point got nine batters out in a row.  Uncharacteristically, he only struck out two and walked four.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I couldn't locate my fastball," said Wieland, who didn't use a changeup until the second inning, when he started to get quick outs.

As for the offense, Joc Pederson continues to mash the ball.  He blasted two solo home runs to continue a streak of seven consecutive hits for home runs.  BTW, Joc is the first Dodger to do this since Hee-Seop Choi in 2005.  Mattingly had this to say via another Gurnick story at MLB.com:

• "This is what we thought we'd get, but we didn't know the power would come this early," said Mattingly. "Joc's a baseball player. He plays hard."

Graphic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are some links to check out:

• Yasiel Puig will begin his rehab today, via Klyle Glaser on twitter:

Yasiel Puig will begin his rehab stint with @RCQuakes tomorrow. Will DH in game against Visalia #Dodgers

— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) May 6, 2015

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Hyun-jin Ryu has setback in rehab from shoulder injury."  His velocity is way down.
• ia Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodger hitters dominating righties in 2015."

Overall, the Dodgers are torching right-handed pitchers to the tune of an .841 OPS, which is .001 behind the club-record .842 set in 1953. If it were to hold up, the 2015 team’s .495 slugging percentage against righties would break the team record by .018 and the Los Angeles record by .048.

• Via JP Hoornstra at Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Robot umpires now? Don Mattingly echoes call for change to replay system."

“I think we should take the human element out of it,” he said.

• Via Jonah Keri at Grantland, "Joc Rocks: In Praise of the Dodgers’ Phenomenal Rookie Center Fielder."
• The Dodgers have made another pick up for the minor league system. This time they signed PJ Walters.  He had been playing for the independent Atlantic League’s Lancaster Barnstormers, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.
• BTW, Chris Heisey is back with the club.  Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled outfielder Chris Heisey from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Wieland to Triple-A.

Heisey, 30, is tied for fourth in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with seven home runs and batted .246 (15-for-61) with a double, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored in 18 games for Oklahoma City prior to his second stint with the Dodgers. He previously appeared with the club on April 22, starting in center field against the Giants, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Heisey was acquired in an offseason trade with Cincinnati and posted a .247 batting average with 50 home runs and 147 RBI in 543 big league games in five seasons with the Reds.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Kenley Jansen – ‘I’m ready to come back next week.’

“I feel great. I’m making pitches, I’m happy about the outing,” Jansen said. “The results [don’t reflect that] but I had a good outing. It’s just about me making pitches ”

• I'm glad to see Dee Gordon having some success, and wouldn't be surprised if his current performance is reflective of the new normal for him.  That's not to say that he'll hit over .400, but I do think he'll fulfill the promise we expected when he first came up to the  Dodgers.  Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "Dee Gordon Has Been Going Full Ichiro."
• Panini America released a bunch of preview pics of their upcoming 2015 Prizm Baseball card set; including the Yasiel Puig and Joc Pderson cards below.  Go here to check them all out.  There are 150 different photos.  BTW, this set officially releases next week.

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Mike Bolsinger Called Up to Start Against Giants this Afternoon

As you likely already know, the Dodgers have called up right-handed starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger to start tonight's game against the Giants.  Yesterday's starting center fielder Chris Heisey has been optioned back to AAA.  Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled right-handed pitcher Mike Bolsinger from Triple-A Oklahoma City, replacing outfielder Chris Heisey on the active roster. Bolsinger will make his Dodger debut as today’s starting pitcher at San Francisco.

Bolsinger, 27, was selected as the Triple-A Pacific Coast League’s Pitcher of the Week for the opening week of the minor league season, going 2-0 and tossing 11.0 scoreless innings in two starts with Oklahoma City. He allowed just three hits (3-for-34, .088), while striking out 17 and walking only three. Bolsinger was acquired from the D-backs on Nov. 22, 2014 and made 10 appearances (nine starts) for Arizona last year in his first Major League action, going 1-6 with a 5.50 ERA.

As you'll recall, Bolsinger came to the Dodgers via a trade over the winter with Arizona for cash.  At the time I mentioned a story written by Jared Kwart at MoxyBall at the close of the season:

Moving over to the National League, Mike Bolsinger jumps off the page as someone who has had a lot of bad luck in 2014 as well. He has a steady base of skills from a K (8.25 K/9) and BB (2.92 BB/9) perspective. With a 3.31 xFIP compared to a 5.50 ERA, we don’t have to look much further than a .355 BABIP to see we can expect better things from Bolsinger once positive regression kicks in.

So far, in two Minor League starts for Oklahoma City he is been fantastic.  Heck, he's been dominating in AAA so far, and the metrics spoken about in the Jared Kwart story above appears to be ringing true.  Bolsinger is on the upswing.

Via Alex Espinoza at MLB.com:

"It's not like the first time you got called up," Bolsinger said. "But in a way, it kind of was because you're playing for the Dodgers. There's only a few teams in Major League Baseball that you can really be blown away with, and Dodgers is one of those. It's an awesome feeling. Very honored."

In celebration of Bolsinger's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him since my last one did not include him in Dodger Blue.  I used a photograph grabbed from a photo from Zimbio (Rob Tringali/Getty Images North America) and the 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference:

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Welcome to the Blue, Xavier Cedeno!

The Dodgers added a left handed reliever this afternoon via a trade with the Washington Nationals for cash money.  They received 28-year old Xavier Cedeno.  He is not currently with the club, but is expected to join the Dodgers in San Diego on Friday, via a tweet from JP Hoornstra:

Xavier Cedeno will join the #Dodgers in San Diego, per Don Mattingly.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 23, 2015

I had initially figured he would be heading to the minor leagues to provide more bullpen depth, but then I discovered that Cedeno is without options.  So, he can't be sent down unless he clears waivers.  That means keeping him with the big club or testing the waiver waters.  Since JP Hoornstra mentions that he'll be coming to San Diego then it's only logical to assume that he will replace someone on the 25-man roster at that time.  Based on the game of musical chairs the club is playing, I suspect Mike Bolsinger will be optioned back to the Minors.  Mike is expected to replace Chris Heisey for a spot start on Thursday.

So, overall it looks like we will have:

• Chris Heisey recalled; and Adam Liberatore optioned to Minors today
• Mike Bolsinger recalled; Chris Heisey optioned to Minors tomorrow
• Xavier Cedeno addded to 25-man roster; Mike Bolsinger options to Minors on Friday

Whew!  That's a lot of shuffling there.

Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno from Washington in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino for assignment.

Cedeno, 28, has made two relief appearances for Washington this year, allowing two runs in 3.0 innings, and has gone 0-1 with one save and a 5.24 ERA in 77 career big league appearances for the Astros (2011-13) and Nationals (2013-15). The native of Puerto Rico was originally selected by the Rockies in the 31^st round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft and has a 42-41 record with nine saves and a 4.15 ERA in 256 games (103 starts) in nine minor league seasons.

I don't know too much about Cedeno, but Eric Stephen at True Blue LA does provide a little glimpse:

Left-handed batters have hit .252/.331/.351 against Cedeno in his career, with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 126 plate appearances. Right-handers, by comparison, have hit .339/.409/.532 with 15 walks and 15 strikeouts.

In celebration of Cedeno's arrival to the club I made the above fantasy card for him.  I grabbed a photo by Tony Firriolo/MLB Photos via Getty Image sand the 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are the career stats for Xavier Cedeno, via Baseball-Reference:

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Chris Heisey Called up to the Dodgers

A rather unusual, and likely frustrating to the players involved, game of musical chairs is currently being played by the Dodgers.  It was widely reported yesterday that outfielder Chris Heisey was spotted in the Dodger clubhouse, but was not yet on the team roster to play any games for them.  Instead, he was in town in preparation for one of several expected moves that will have numerous players shuffling in-and-out of the Dodger roster.

We now get official word of the first of what will be numerous other future moves.  Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled outfielder Chris Heisey from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned left-handed pitcher Adam Liberatore to Triple-A.

Heisey is tied for fourth in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with four home runs and batted .257 (9-for-35) with nine runs scored and seven RBI in 10 games with Oklahoma City prior to his recall. The 30-year-old, who has appeared exclusively in center field on defense this year, was acquired in an offseason trade with Cincinnati and posted a .247 batting average with 50 home runs and 147 RBI in 543 big league games with the Reds.

Liberatore appeared in three games during his stint with the Dodgers, including his Major League debut on April 17 vs. Colorado, and allowed just one hit in 4.1 scoreless innings.

With left-hander Madison Bumgarner pitching tonight you should expect to see right-handed batter Chris Heisey in centerfield - to spell Pederson for the day.

Eric Stephen on twitter then sheds more light on another move that is likely to happen tomorrow.

Yes, and then likely optioned tomorrow for Mike Bolsinger https://t.co/CD7sPfM8Zu
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) April 22, 2015

Chris Heisey is expected to be sent right back to AAA for a spot starter - Mike Bolsinger.  After that, the Dodgers will probably call up another reliever on Friday to bolster the bullpen.  Who that could be is anybodies guess.

Oy Vey!  My head hurts. 

Since I had yet to make a fantasy Baseball card of Chris Heisey wearing Dodger Blue I decided to do him the honor.  Check it out above.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2015 - Dodger Links - Anderson, McCarthy and a Funny Date Video

A loss is a loss, no matter how it happens.

The Dodgers win streak was thwarted by the Giants, and the apparent message is that the Baseball gods were in San Francisco's corner last night.  Via Alex Espinoza at MLB.com, "Anderson vexed by Giants' well-placed hits."

"The only real legitimate run was the [Buster] Posey single," (Brett) Anderson said after the hard-luck loss. "I still feel confident in my abilities. The defense couldn't have done any more than they did today, it was just some well-placed hits that you have to deal with and go on to next one."

He continued on twitter:

Groundballs with eyes are stupid.
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) April 22, 2015

Baseball is a funny game, ain't it?  No matter how hard you play, how well you do your business, or how confident you are in the statistics telling you the way it should be the game has a way of slapping you in the face.   

The photo above of Anderson is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to see more pics from him from yesterday.  Below are some more links to check out:

• All of you must put everything down and check out Roberto's post at Vin Scully is My Homeboy.  He shares a group of three fantastic videos titled, "When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan."  They are all worth your time.
• David Davis at Deadspin recounts the fight between John Roseboro and Juan Marichal; "What Baseball's Most Famous Brawl Photo Didn't Show You."
• As you may have heard, Chris Heisey is currently in San Francisco, but has yet to be added to the Dodgers 25-man roster.  He is expected to be playing soon, but there is no word yet on who will be sent down in his place.  Speculation, as you can imagine, is high.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has a great rundown on the possibilities; "Chris Heisey highlights Dodgers roster flexibility." 
• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy throwing harder with age."

“It’s kind of like he learned how to pitch backwards, almost,” said Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal. “When guys have velocity, they rely on the velocity early in their career. And then, once they lose it, they go back and start working on movement. It’s actually really good for a guy to not throw that hard when he comes up and then all of the sudden start pumping 95 and 96.

• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Update on Dodgers’ potentially big July 2 plans."  You should expect the Dodgers to do some big things when the international draft comes up.
• Awesome!  Corky at Pack War shares what appears to be a scarce Family Guy/Star Wars card set only found in Europe.
• Panini releases even more preview pics of their 2015 Diamond Kings Baseball card set; including the Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig cards below.  Go here to check out more.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 32 / Road Game 17

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 (16-9-6) vs. Kansas City Royals (18-10)
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 – 12:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Stadium

LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 1.86) vs. RHP Yordano Ventura (1-0, 5.14)
TV: SNLA

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(Joe Wieland, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

GETAWAY DAY: The Dodgers take on the Royals today in Surprise in their Arizona exhibition finale, with many of the regulars having already made their way back to Los Angeles ahead of tomorrow’s Freeway Series opener in Anaheim. Yesterday, the Dodgers wrapped up a 15-game slate at Camelback Ranch - Glendale, establishing records in both total attendance (147,066, besting previous high of 136,944 set in 2009) and average attendance (9,804, beating 2014 average of 9,534). In its seventh season playing at Camelback Ranch, the club posted four sellouts and eight of its 15 home games drew crowds of more than 10,000 fans.

• Los Angeles has the National League’s top winning percentage this spring at .640 (16-9-6) and has already established a record with six ties.
• This is not an April Fool’s Joke, Opening Day is just FIVE days away!

90 FEET AWAY: The Dodgers came up just short yesterday, leaving the tying and winning runs in scoring position in the ninth, and fell, 2-1, to the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Chris Heisey’s fifth-inning home run provided the Dodgers’ lone run in support of starter Joe Wieland, who took the loss after allowing just two runs in 5.0 strong innings.

• Yimi Garcia struck out the side in the eighth inning and has allowed just one run, while striking out 12, in 9.1 innings this spring.

B.A.T.-TER UP: On Monday, the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) announced that more than 1,400 players, coaches and managers for all 30 MLB clubs collectively pledged a record donation of $2,643,195 to the organization, which is dedicated to confidentially assisting members of the baseball family who are in need with nowhere else to turn. Additionally, the Dodgers (NL) and Tigers (AL) were recognized as the recipients of the Bobby Murcer Award for their generosity and committing the most money to the charity. It’s the fourth time that the Dodgers have won the award (also: 2010, 2011, 2013).

(Metal Detectors at Dodger Stadium, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SAFETY FIRST: Dodger fans will experience new security procedures set forth by Major League Baseball beginning with the Freeway Series finale on Saturday, April 4 with the Angels and running through the 2015 MLB season. MLB will be implementing new mandatory security procedures through a metal detector-enhanced screening process. This procedure, which resulted from a recent study of best security practices and MLB’s continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security to elevate and standardize initiatives across the game, will be in addition to bag checks that have been uniform throughout MLB.  Fan screening may be conducted by means of hand-held metal detection or walk-through magnetometers. These procedures were utilized periodically at certain gates during the 2014 season and all 30 Major League Baseball teams will institute these procedures this year.

FOLLOW THE CACTUS LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League-leading 46 home runs (three more than the Cubs’ 43) and have a .286 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .487 slugging percentage (2nd, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.368, 6th), slugging percentage (.754, 1st), hits (21, T-5th), runs (13, T-2nd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, T-2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games and is batting .477 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .818 slugging percentage in 18 Cactus League games. Turner’s 21 hits this spring tie for fifth-most in the NL.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-4th) and RBI (13, T-10th); Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-4th) and runs scored (12, T-6th).

HAPPY HAPPY!: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Chris Withrow, who turns 26 today! Withrow will start the season on the 60-day disabled list as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery and offseason back surgery.

ON THE MOUND: LHP Clayton Kershaw will make his final start of the spring today and is expected to throw about 45 pitches. The 27-year-old last pitched on Sunday against the White Sox, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out eight in 6.0 innings and will make his fourth consecutive Opening Day start on Monday against the Padres. Kershaw is the only pitcher from big league camp heading to Surprise today and will be followed to the mound by minor leaguers.

• Zack Greinke will make his final tuneup of the spring this morning in a minor league intrasquad game, expected to start at 10:00 a.m. on Field 1 at Camelback Ranch.

(McCarthy, Kershaw, Anderson & Greinke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 15 / Road Game 8

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 (8-2-4) vs. Texas Rangers (7-6-1)
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Recreation Campus

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 21.60)   
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(St. Patrick's Day 1998, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers)

POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800, travel to Surprise to take on the Rangers in the first of four exhibition contests between the clubs this spring. The teams will match up again this weekend as their split-squads travel to San Antonio for a two-game series and will also meet on March 29 in Glendale. The clubs will play four regular-season games in 2015, June 15-16 in Arlington and June 17-18 at Dodger Stadium, marking their first games against each other since 2009 and the Rangers’ first visit to Los Angeles since 2001. The Dodgers will don green caps in today’s game in honor of St. Patrick’s Day!

• Yesterday, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Carlos Frias along with catcher Austin Barnes and reassigned infielders O’Koyea Dickson and Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp. Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 50 players remaining in big league camp.

NO LUCK OF THE IRISH NEEDED: The Dodgers erupted for three home runs, including a pinch-hit grand slam by Darnell Sweeney, during an eight-run eighth inning yesterday to down the A’s, 10-5, at Camelback Ranch for their third consecutive win. Scott Schebler and Chris Heisey also homered during the eighth-inning rally, and Darwin Barney had a game-high three hits, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Zack Greinke made his second start of the spring, allowing just one hit – a solo home run by Josh Phegley – in 3.0 innings in a no-decision.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: The countdown is on to Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio! Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

MAKING JACKIE PROUD: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that the Dodgers will play host to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in the 2015 Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday, April 15.  It will mark the first time that Baseball’s tribute to civil rights leaders and figures will be held in conjunction with its annual commemoration of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. The Civil Rights Game was developed by MLB to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. This is the first Civil Rights Game hosted by the Dodgers and second one they have played in (2012), while this will be the first overall for the Mariners.

(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his second start of the spring today after striking out two in 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings on Thursday at San Diego. Ryu, who has never faced the Rangers, has struggled against American League opponents during the course of his career, going 3-3 with a 4.72 ERA (25 ER/47.2 IP) in eight starts.

• LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Rodriguez has yet to allow a run and has struck out five in 3.0 innings this spring.
• LHP J.P Howell is also expected to see action today after firing a scoreless inning on Saturday against the Indians.
• RHP Juan Nicasio will make his fourth Cactus League appearance today after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Friday’s tie with the Reds.
• RHP David Aardsma will also make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Aardsma has allowed just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings this spring.
• RHP Pedro Baez, who last pitched on Saturday against the Indians, has allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings this spring.
• Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring, as the club has combined to post a 3.02 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .209 batting average, striking out 98 and walking just 32 in 125.0 innings.

THE HOME OF THE DODGERS: Yesterday, iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers announced the debut of the all-new AM 570 LA Sports.. The new baseball season will bring a new name, a new look, a re-brand, a re-launch and a new co-ownership with the Dodgers to the station formerly known as KLAC. AM 570 LA Sports will be under the co-ownership of iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers, will have a new logo and will also incorporate the new 2015 Dodgers slogan “We Love LA.”  Another new addition, Dodger Talk featuring David Vassegh and Kevin Kennedy, will now air immediately following Dodgers baseball games or at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

(Retired #'s added to Club Level at Dodger Stadium, pic via @DodgerInsider on twitter)

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