Blog Kiosk: 8/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Peters, Puig, Seager and Kenta Maeda

Last night was a fantastic effort all around as the Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 4-2.  They were able to deny Colorado a sweep while increasing their lead in the wild-card race to three games.  The Dodgers also remain only two games behind the Giants in the division race.

As for last nights game, Kenta Maeda went a strong 5 2/3 innings, struck out five, walked none and allowed just two runs to cross the plate.  He also received some great scoreless relief help from Baez, Blanton and Jansen.  Offense was provided by a solo home run by Corey Seager, a two-run triple by Yasmani Grandal and an RBI single by Howie Kendrick to drive in Josh Reddick.  Per Ken Gurnick and Thomas Harding at MLB.com:

"We couldn't have scripted it any better," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "Yasmani got the big hit, Corey hit the home run, Kenta threw well and kept those guys off balance, the bullpen did its job. For us to salvage this series was huge."

BTW, Seagers homer was his nineteenth jack of the season - tying the Dodgers all-time mark with Hanley Ramirez for home runs by a shortstop in a single season.  Also, Kenta Maeda won his tenth game last night.  Go here to watch Maeda speak about last nights game.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Willie Stargell becomes the first ballplayer to ever hit a home run completely out of Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 Don Sutton becomes the Dodgers all-time leader in strike outs with 2,487.  He struck out six Giants batters in an 8-41 victory at Dodger Stadium.  He passed Don Drysdale on the Dodgers all-time list.
• Happy Birthday, Carl Crawford and Tim Federowicz!

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2014 - Dodger Links - AGon, Grandal and the Moody Matt Kemp

This past Thursday Adrian Gonzalez rewarded 200 academically achieving students in under-served communities with Nike shoes.  The photo above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more photos from the event.  Via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider, "Adrian Gonzalez rewards academic achievement with a special holiday gift."

“This holiday season, my wife Betsy and I wanted to connect with high school students who have focused on their studies all year long,” said Gonzalez. “Education and access to college is incredibly important, and I am grateful for any opportunity in which I can encourage students to achieve their academic goals.”

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Nathan Masters at KCET, "The View from Dodger Stadium in 1877."  You've read that right, 1877.
• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Nick Young Not Pleased With Dodgers Trading Matt Kemp (VIDEO)."
• Via CBSLA.com, Jim Hill spoke with Matt Kemp and shares his interview in a video.  Check it out here.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Trading Kemp all about restoring functionality."

But what this really was about was restoring functionality, to the roster and to the atmosphere around the team. That last part is so nefarious as to invite ridicule. The players don’t have to hold hands and engage in group therapy before every game. They also probably shouldn’t curse loudly, throw equipment and demean a teammate when they’re told to get ready to play another position, as Kemp did -- according to team sources -- when the Dodgers decided he could no longer play center field and moved him to left.

• Via Jayson Stark at ESPN.com, "Winter meetings winners and losers."

Love the new DP combination of Kendrick and Rollins. Love the upgraded up-the-middle defense of Kendrick, Rollins and Joc Pederson. Love how the ground-ball, funky-contact approach of Brandon McCarthy fits that defensive upgrade. Love how they cut payroll, added to their prospect depth and injected life and leadership into their clubhouse so decisively. Just don't love their lineup without Kemp and Hanley Ramirez. But there's more activity coming, in the probable addition of a free-agent starter (James Shields?). And maybe much more. So no one won the week like the Dodgers.

• I sure hope you're right.  Via David Golebiewski at the Daily Gammons, "L.A. Might Have Landed Gem in Yasmani Grandal."
• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Grandal is a gamble for Dodgers."

There’s a case for that, certainly. He is a catcher, one with a superb ability to frame balls so they look like strikes, and he has a .350 career on-base percentage, seventh-best among active catchers. He has hit 24 home runs in the equivalent of a season and a half of work – and did it playing half his games in Petco Park, one of the most homer-suppressing stadiums in the sport.

But the second school of thought is that Grandal is barely an average hitter for a catcher, with questionable skills behind the plate. The case for that: Grandal’s offensive statistics after his 2012 rookie season look a lot different than they did during it, and, beyond pitch-framing, his defensive numbers have never looked all that great.

• If you are interested in group-breaks then this is for you.  Chris Olds at Beckett put together a list of 50 group-breakers you need to know, here.
• Tim Federowicz sends his thanks to the fans, via twitter:

I would like to thank the dodgers organization and fans for everything over the last couple of years.
— Tim Federowicz (@FedX19) December 12, 2014

• Newest Dodger reliever Chris Hatcher is already making friends with fellow Dodger fans.  Check out this tweet of him signing a Dodger cap below:

Met Chris Hatcher @handlebars41 new Dodger via trade with Marlins visiting the troops in Southwest Asia. Great guy! pic.twitter.com/FI4GQY8YnN
— Ruben  (@rubpez74) December 12, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

I Woke up to a Nightmare - Kemp is Gone!

This morning I woke up and leaned over to grab the remote.  I turned on the television, which was already tuned to the MLB Network, and rested comfortably as I wondered if there was any more Dodgers news to hear.  Then, before I could stretch out my limbs a feeling of pain and loss ensued.  Suddenly, I didn't want to get out of bed.  The first words I heard out of that tv included the phrase, "Matt Kemp to the Padres," so my heart immediately sank.

Dammit!  These guys are a bunch of uncaring, unfeeling monsters! 

In a span of 24 hours the Dodgers went from being spectators to an hyperactive child.  It's like I was sitting comfortably on my couch enjoying a stout brew only to be interrupted by some unruly neighbors bent on upending my life.

At one point last night, I was happy with the Dodgers' activity during the Winter Meetings.  We had seemingly added Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick and Chris Hatcher for Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas - with some prospects, here and there, to even things out.  Furthermore, confirmations were coming in from all corners claiming that the Dodgers had also signed free agent starter Brandon McCarthy.

So last night, as I was putting my head on my pillow, I was having the kind of feeling that conjures up dreams of endless beaches and puffy clouds.  Now, as I wipe the sleep from my eyes, I realize that that was all an illusion.  We are in a cold hard world, and we are just mere spectators to it all.

I get the reasons for the aforementioned deals.  I don't understand the most recent trade with the Padres.

As you all likely know by now, the Dodgers have made a huge trade with San Diego.  Exact details are not in yet, but it appears likely that Matt Kemp and Tim Federowicz will go south for Yasmani Grandal, starting pitcher Joe Wieland and pitching prospect Zach Eflin.  (There are rumblings that Eflin goes to the Phillies to complete the Rollins trade)

Crap!  I had a hard time writing that last paragraph. 

I really believe that the old Matt Kemp is back, and he'll make a glorious return.  So, I certainly feel he'll make us regret that we let him go.  Furthermore, I am not at all impressed with former steroid suspended catcher Yasmani Grandal, and do not believe he is an upgrade over AJ Ellis - offensively or defensively.  Maybe the pitchers we get end up doing well, but overall I gotta call this deal a big loser for the 'Boys in Blue.'

Oy Vie!  What's a fan to do?  

I think I need to turn off my twitter feed.  It's driving me crazy.  Can somebody give me a hug?

I'll have some more about the past day soon; including some fantasy card creations for the new Dodger players.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Joc and Yimi! - The First Round of September Call Ups

It's September 1st, Labor Day, and besides an afternoon of barbecue and family it is also a time when every Major League team expands their roster.  This afternoon, as reported widely on the 'net, the Dodgers have called up several players.  They include Alexander Guerrero, Tim Federowicz and Chris Perez (who returns from a rehab assignment).  Furthermore, coming up to the Dodgers for the very first time in their professional careers are star outfield prospect Joc Pederson and righthanded reliever Yimi Garcia.

UPDATE: Per a Dodgers press release, Carlos Triunfel has been designated for assignment to make room for Joc. 

Joc Pederson is probably the most anticipated call up of the bunch.  He is considered to be the Dodgers top minor league prospect, and will likely have the eyes of the world watching every step he takes.  He is a lefthanded slugger with five legit tools.  He can hit for average, hit for power, has excellent speed on the basepaths, has a great defensive centerfield game and a solid arm strong enough to cause baserunners to think twice.  It should be exciting to see if he can move his game to the Major League level.  Unfortunately, you shouldn't expect to see him play much this month, but he'll surely get a bit more than just a cup of coffee.

Yimi Garcia is a righthanded reliever who has recorded some impressive Minor League numbers.  This season in Albuquerque he struck out 69 while only walking 18.  Last year, while in Chattanooga, he did even better.  He struck out 85 and walked only 14 batters. His best pitch is clearly a slider that he uses to punch batters out.

BTW, it has been also been reported by Pedro Moura of the OC Register that Carlos Frias, Miguel Rojas and Erisbel Arruebarrena will be called up to the Dodgers tomorrow.  So, stay tuned for confirmation of that later on.

In celebration of Joc's and Yimi's promotion to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy cards for them.  I used photographs grabbed from Jon SooHoo's photog blog and both the 1964 and 1968 Topps Baseball card designs.

Below are the career Minor League statistics for Joc Pederson, via Baseball Reference:


Below are the career Minor League statistics for Yimi Garcia, via Baseball Reference:


UPDATE:  Via a Dodger press release on these call ups:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled catcher Tim Federowicz (#26), right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (#63) and infielder/outfielder Alex Guerrero (#7) from Triple-A Albuquerque and selected the contract of outfielder Joc Pederson (#65) from Albuquerque. The club also reinstated right-handed pitcher Chris Perez from the 15-day disabled list (bone spurs, right ankle) and designated infielder Carlos Triunfel for assignment.

Federowicz has appeared in 18 big league games in two stints with the Dodgers this year, but tore up the Pacific Coast League with a .328 batting average, 26 doubles, 14 homers and 48 RBI in 78 games with Albuquerque. The 27-year-old posted a .297 batting average with runners in scoring position (22-for-74) for the Isotopes this season.

Garcia, 24, will be making his Major League debut after going 4-2 with five saves and a 3.10 ERA in 47 appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque. He limited right-handed hitters to a .200 batting average (28-for-14) and posted a 2.84 ERA (6 ER/19.0 IP) in 14 games after the All-Star break. The native of the Dominican Republic is in his sixth professional season after being signed as a non-drafted free agent on Jan. 29, 2009.

Guerrero will be making his first appearance on the big league roster since appearing in both games Down Under during MLB's Opening Series in Sydney. The 27-year-old hit .329 with 15 homers and 49 RBI in 65 games with Albuquerque, including a .356 batting average with runners in scoring position (26-for-73).

Pederson, who is making his first appearance on the Major League roster, was honored as the 2014 Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player, the league's Rookie of the Year and as an outfielder on the All-PCL Team, after becoming just the fourth player in the 112-year history of the Pacific Coast League to post a 30-home run/30-steal season. The 22-year-old batted .303 with 30 steals (T-7th, PCL), 17 doubles, four triples, 33 homers (1st, PCL) and 78 RBI in 121 games with Triple-A Albuquerque this year.

Perez last pitched in a Major League game on Aug. 3 against Chicago-NL and made five rehab appearances with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Triunfel played in 12 games in five stints with the Dodgers this season, his first year with the organization.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/20/2014 - Dodger Links - Erskine, Kershaw and Reuss

Here's another great photo of Clayton Kershaw celebrating his no-hitter from the otther night, taken by Dalton SooHoo - son of Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.

• Via Mark Langill at Dodger Insider, "On his no-hitter anniversary, Erskine welcomes Kershaw to exclusive club."

“Congratulations to Clayton,” Erskine said. “He’s a pretty impressive fellow. He can dominate a game.”

• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Chronicling Clayton Kershaw’s journey to Los Angeles."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "$22 discounted tickets for Clayton Kershaw’s next scheduled home start on sale."

In celebration of Clayton Kershaw’s first career no-hitter last night, the Dodgers will offer a limited number of $22 tickets to Kershaw’s next scheduled home start, June 29 vs. the Cardinals at 1:10 p.m.

• Via Ryan P. Morrison at Beyond the Boxscore, "Did the D-backs, Dodgers suffer an inter-continental hangover?"
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Reuss relives near-perfect no-hitter post-Kershaw."

Clayton Kershaw isn't the only tall left-handed Dodgers pitcher to lose a perfect game on a shortstop's throwing error.

It also happened to Jerry Reuss on June 27, 1980, against the Giants at Candlestick Park. It also was a shortstop's bad throw after fielding a grounder (Hanley Ramirez for Kershaw, Bill Russell for Reuss) that stood as the lone blemish, with neither pitcher issuing a walk.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Cody Bellinger separates shoulder, Juan Uribe rehabs, Zach Lee, Tim Federowicz hot."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

WooHoo!  The Kings are now the 2014 Stanley Cup Champions!  Pic above via Jon SooHoo.  I hope to have some pics and videos up soon, so stay tuned.

• Watch Yasiel Puig’s New York catch, super-tracked at Dodger Insider.
• ICYMI: AJ Ellis is back from the Disabled List, and Tim Federowicz has been optioned back to Albuquerque.
• This is not good news.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, Chad Billingsley now has a partial tear of his flexor tendon.  Does this mean more surgery?
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, both Carl Crawford and Juan Uribe are progressing from their injuries.
• Josh Tucker at Dodger Insider writes, "A Reagan Forum with Vin Scully."  Josh shares a video of Vin speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Kershaw solves the Arizona puzzle."

“It was very stressful. There were guys on base the whole night," Kershaw said. "That’s a good team. I’ve said it earlier. Their offense is tough to go through." 

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Yasiel Puig shows off gift from U.S. goalkeeper Nick Rimando."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/27/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodger Odds and Ends

It was almost a perfect memorial Day for the Dodgers yesterday as Hyun-Jin Ryu took a perfect game into the 8th inning last night, pic above vie the Dodger tumblr site.  Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Dodgers hang on after Ryu loses perfecto bid."  BTW, go here to see Jon SooHoo's pic from the game.

• Are you kidding me?  As you likely know by now, AJ Ellis has been placed back on the 15-Day DL, and Tim Federowicz has been recalled.  Via Mike Axisa  at CBSSports, "A.J. Ellis suffers severe ankle sprain during no-hitter celebration."
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers minor league report May 26: Brandon Dixon, Darnell Sweeney keep hitting."
• Via Stuart Wallace at The Gammons Daily, "Simplified approach key to Brandon League’s newfound consistency and success."

Despite three pitches, Leagues has excelled as of late with a simple approach, throwing his sinker nearly 80% of the time, with a smattering of sliders (2.3%) to go along with an increased use of his split-finger fastball (17.2%). 

• Noted political blogger digby at Hulabaloo shares her frustration at not being able to watch the Dodgers on TV.
• You lucky dogs!  Dodger Penguin tells us of a special "meet and greet" he was invited to with LA Kings centerman Bernie Nicholls.  I am so envious.
• Via Aaron Wasser at Sports Collectors Daily, "Baseball Hall of Fame Coin Sales Soaring."  I want one of these.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Miguel Olivo!

The game of musical chairs with the current roster continues.

Announced just a moment ago, the Dodgers have called up veteran catcher Miguel Olivo from Albuquerque.  Tim Federowicz  has been sent back down to AAA.  Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of Miguel Olivo from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned catcher Tim Federowicz to Triple-A Albuquerque. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred right-handed pitcher Chad Billingsley to the 60-day disabled list.

Olivo, who is a 10-Year Major League veteran catcher and has a .241 batting average with 145 home runs and 488 RBI, will make his Dodger debut after signing a minor league contract with Los Angeles this season. The Dominican Republic native has fared well in 15 games at Albuquerque, posting a .390/.438/.661 slashline with four homers and 18 RBI. As a non-roster invitee with the club in Spring Training, Olivo batted .263 (5-for-19) with two doubles and three RBI.

Federowicz appeared in 13 games for Los Angeles after his recall on April 8.

Considering TFed was batting a lowly .109 this season, I guess we shouldn't be surprised by the news.  Even with Federowicz primarily valued for his defensive, batting at that clip just doesn't cut it.

Olivo has been in the Majors since 2002, and is likely to be just fine behind the plate.  And, with him showing a resurgent bat in Albuquerque, maybe the Dodgers can catch some fire while it's hot. 

In celebration of Olivo officially becoming a Dodger today (we are his 7th Major League club) I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo grabbed from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 taken during Spring Training and the always great 1987 Topps Baseball card design.

UPDATE:  I was checking out Olivo's Wikipedia page and came across a strange/funny story about him:

Olivo made headlines in early 2010 for having to leave the Rockies' April 29 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at the beginning of the eighth inning to pass a kidney stone. Remarkably, he was able to re-enter soon after and finished the game.

Holy Moly!

Below are Olivo's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 4/19/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Dodger Face Swaps, Ryu and Manny's Coming Back?

Marlon Wayans had some fun with the Dodger PreGame audience yesterday, gif's via Dodger Dugout.

• Yasiel Puig now has his own official website.  Check it out here: The Yasiel Puig.com.
• This is hilarious and kinda disturbing.  David Lewis at BaseBald face-swaps the Dodger lineup.  I thought this was the best one:

• Ryu gives back, via @Dodgers on twitter:

Today, @HyunJinRyu99 pledged a $100,000 donation to help those affected by the SEWOL ferry disaster in his native South Korea.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 18, 2014

• Ah... What?  Via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors, "Several Teams Interested In Manny Ramirez."
• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Ellis getting up to speed after knee surgery."

"I can do everything, baseball-wise, except run," Ellis said Friday, "and that's not a big part of my game."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Tim Federowicz has rough night behind the plate."  He got a ball right to the groin.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 4/8/2014 - Dodgers Links - Dr. Jobe's Memorial at Dodger Stadium, AJ to have Surgery and Kenley Jansen's Fastball

Dr. Frank Jobe's Memorial Service was held at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  Featured above is Vin Scully opening up the ceremony.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.  An AP report of the event at the LA Times is here.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares his report here; including video.  You can check out a bunch of photos from Jon SooHoo here.

• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs writes, "A Thing Maybe Worth Noting: Kenley Jansen’s Velocity."

Yes, that top line is correct: PITCHF/x has already classified more 97+ mph pitches from Kenley Jansen this year than it did all of last year. Maybe more staggering is the cumulative percentage of the top three lines; of his pitches greater than 90 mph this year, 51% of them have been recorded at 95.0 mph or faster, compared to just 7.2% last year. 

• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes about, "Mickey Rooney’s Dodger Stadium show."  As you may know, Mickey Rooney passed away this weekend.  RIP, Mickey Rooney.
• Are you kidding me?  AJ Ellis to have surgery today, via a @Dodgers tweet last night.  I suspect Tim Federowicz will be back.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has mroe information here.

 

#Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear tomorrow morning in Los Angeles.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 8, 2014

AJ responded thusly:

Blown away yet unsurprised by support of @Dodgers fans. Have total confidence in Dr.ElAttrache and Med Dept to have me back on field ASAP
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) April 8, 2014

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Like Ausmus, Ellis seems like future manager."

“I love the mental side of the game, the strategic part of the game,” Ellis said. “I love having conversations after the game, just learning from Don Mattingly and Tim Wallach and Rick Honeycutt and just trying to devour as much about this great game of baseball as I can.” 

• I don't want to get too excited here, but I think Matt Kemp is back.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Matt Kemp: 'That's my swing right there'."

"My second home run, that's when I know I'm hitting the ball good, when I'm going to right field," Kemp said. "That's my swing right there."

• Via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, "Former Dodger Raul Mondesi says Yasiel Puig reminds him of himself."

“He’s still young,” Mondesi said. “People make mistakes when they start playing that young.

“They have to let him develop without putting too much pressure on him. Little by little, he’ll get to where he has to get and he’ll help the team win a lot of games.”

• Topps 2014 Gypsy Queen official goes live on Wednesday.  Check out a bunch of preview pics from Topps facebook page, here.  Check out a couple of Dodger cards below.

• Matthew Glidden at Number 5 Type Collection shares a card of Brooklyn Dodger Larry French from a 1975 TCMA set.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers 25-Man Roster is Now Set

With Game #1 less than 5 hours away, the Dodgers officially set their 25-man regular season roster this morning... er, this evening.  There are some notable surprises.

Backup catcher Tim Federowicz has been sent back to the minors.  He finished up the 2013 season as our backup.  Now, Drew Butera comes in to replace him.  Considering that both players were expected to primarily play defensive roles on the team, I find this change a bit boring.  Although, Federowicz does appear to have more potential upside at the plate, based on his minor league stats.

The most surprising news is that Alex Guerrero has made the club out of Spring Training.  I had assumed that the Dodgers would follow the same path they laid for Puig - Have Guerrero get his feet wet in the minors before giving him a taste of the 'Bigs'.  Instead, he makes the Opening Day roster as an infielder.  I suppose the fight for the 2nd baseman starting job between Gordon and Guerrero will extend to the regular season.  Extra infielder Miguel Rojas will be reassigned to the minors.  Other players reassigned to the minors includes Zach Lee and Joc Pederson.

Being placed on the 15-day DL include Chad Billingsley (right elbow surgery), Josh Beckett (right thumb contusion) and outfielder Matt Kemp (ankle surgery), retroactive to March 19.  Also, Dan Haren, Zack Greinke and Brandon League have been placed under a roster exemption. Carl Crawford has been placed on paternity leave.  So, when the club gets back to the States there are likely to be some more significant moves.

Below is the full 25-man roster:

Pitchers (12):
Jose Dominguez
J.P. Howell (L)
Kenley Jansen
Clayton Kershaw (L)
Paul Maholm (L)
Chris Perez
Seth Rosin
Paco Rodriguez (L)
Hyun-Jin Ryu (L)
Brian Wilson
Chris Withrow
Jamey Wright

Catchers (2):
Drew Butera
A.J. Ellis

Infielders (6):
Dee Gordon (L)
Alex Guerrero
Adrian Gonzalez (L)
Hanley Ramirez
Justin Turner
Juan Uribe

Outfielders (4):
Mike Baxter (L)
Andre Ethier (L)
Yasiel Puig
Scott Van Slyke

Infielder/Outfielder (1):
Chone Figgins

Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Eat it or Pet it - Your Choice

Clayton and Ellen Kershaw spend some time holding a baby Kangaroo during their off day in Australia, pic via @ellenkershaw on twitter.

Of course, you can do what Tim Federowicz did instead, via his twitter:

Just had kangaroo for dinner. It was a lot better than I expected!
— Tim Federowicz (@FedX19) March 18, 2014

(pic via The Moderate Voice)

Sorry.  I couldn't help myself.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 1/13/2014 - Dodgers Links - Dodgers are Finalist for Tanaka

They are in the midst of preparing the Dodger Stadium field for ice hockey.  Today, the NHL will arrive with their equipment in order to build the ice rink.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Spring Training tickets are now on sale.  Go here.
• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Yankees, Dodgers and Angels finalists to sign Masahiro Tanaka, according to report from Japan".
• Via Sarah at We're born again, there's new grass on the field writes, "The Dodgers and the knuckleball".
• Sports Card Info takes a look at the Jackie Robinson 1962 Hall of Fame Induction Press Pin.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Inside, "Bryan Cranston: Golden Globe winner, Dodger fan".

“I’m a big, big Dodger fan. Have been all my life. My first Dodger game I was 5 years old. It was 1961 at the Coliseum, and I loved going. Wally Moon was my favorite player back then because as a 5-year-old, the name ‘Moon, Wally Moon’ was so interesting. And the ‘Moon Shots’ he used to hit to left field. It was fantastic. And then I was here in 1962 when Dodger Stadium opened up. It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years.”

• Via Dustin Nosler at Fellin' Kinda Blue, "Dodgers need A.J. Ellis and Tim Federowicz to improve pitch-framing".  I disagree with the notion that advanced statistics guys are the reason for an emphasis on pitch framing.  That's just false.  The art of pitch framing has always been a key skill taught to catchers-particularly in the Dodgers organization.  It's just that stats guys are getting better at quantifying it.  As for our catchers needing to get better at it, I couldn't agree more.
• Via Jeffrey Bellone at Beyond th Boxscore, "How do Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux compare to Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale?"
• Phil Hecken at UniWatch interviews the man behind the twitter account @MLBCathedrals.
• He lives.  Via the Dodgers tumblr.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/25/2013 - Dodgers Links -

Dodger fans are everywhere.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013 from San Francisco.

• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe provides a "Rookie-hazing update".  Puig will be Gumby.
• "The OFFICIAL Dodgers Poolgate Peegate player odds," via Chad Moriyama.
• "A resurgent and reinvented Brian Wilson," via Chad Moriyama.
• "New book details baseball's greatest rivalry: Dodgers-Giants ," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.
• True to the Blue recaps the Tim Federowicz and Stephen Fife signing a couple of weeks ago.
• "Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero could sign soon, agent says ," via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.

Boras hinted that Guerrero could be signed in the next couple of weeks. Asked if Guerrero would play winter ball in Latin America, Boras replied, “That will be up to the team that signs him. The Dominican League doesn’t start until mid-October. We expect he will be signed before then.”

• "Lasorda visits Georgia girl struck by foul ball," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"I cooked him a Southern dinner and he brought a signed softball and a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque," said Rhonda Johnson. "He encouraged Summer to stay in softball and told her that when she plays her first game back, he wants to be there. She was definitely inspired. I could see it in her eyes."

• Never get between a fan and his bobblehead.  "Mariano Rivera bobblehead night had one itty-bitty problem — there were no bobbleheads," via Mike Oz at Big League Stew.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Mickey Hatcher, FedX, Stephen Fife and Magic Johnson

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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

Mickey Hatcher will be signing autographs on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Manuel's El Tepeyac in the City of Industry.

Manuel's El Tepeyac
13131 Crossroads Pkwy South
City of Industry, CA 91746
(626) 488-9432

Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy

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

There are three signings at this weekend at Harry's Dugout - on Saturday and Sunday.  See the flyers below.

Harry's Dugout
10715 W Beverly Blvd
Whittier, Ca 90601

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

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

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

And if you're in Las Vegas, Magic Johnson will there to sign for fans at Tristar Sports Memorabilia in the Miracle Mile Shops, Las Vegas, at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino.  Go to their facebook page for information.  This is a pay event

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2013 - Dodgers Links - Greinke Would Trade Ellis, Puig and His Adjusments, and Unsung Heroes

Both Clayton Kershaw and Jerry Hairston visited the set of the TV show Modern Family, yesterday.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• So, if Zack Greinke were GM he'd trade AJ Ellis.  Check this story out written by Ken Rosethal at FoxSports.

“The first thing I’m doing is trading you and signing Brian McCann,” Greinke said, referring to the Atlanta Braves’ catcher, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

• "Overthinking It: Yasiel Puig Adjusts to the Adjustments," via Ben Lindbergh at Baseball Prospectus.  This is a very detailed and statistical look at the ever-evolving Puig at the plate.

Suddenly the Francoeur comp seems more silly than scary. Francoeur has never walked 11 times in a 10-game stretch, as Puig now has, and he didn’t come close to doing so in his rookie season. What’s really scary, and also exciting, is how quickly Puig altered his approach to correct a pattern that wasn’t working. Your move, major leagues.

• "Why Don Mattingly Gets Credit for the Dodgers' Success," via Howard Cole at LA Weekly.
• "MLB Notebook: LA's story becoming historic: Led by Kershaw, Dodgers' turnaround paralleling that of 1914 Braves, " via Roger Schlueter at MLB.com.
• "The Unsung Heroes of the Dodgers Crazy Run," via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs.  He has special praise for Mark Ellis and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
• Did you know that the Dodgers recently changed their logo?  Really... they did!  I'll let LA Taco tell you all about it.
• "Shut the Door, Have a Seat: Kenley Jansen Is Simply Awesome," via Michael Baumann at Grantland.
• Andrew Kallick at Kings.NHL.com shares an interview done with Dodgers catcher Tim Federowicz at the end of the hockey season.  Tim had just watched his first Kings hockey game.

LAKings.com: Have you noticed any similarities between being a catcher and a goaltender?

A: I was kind of watching their technique in between periods. It’s kind of funny. We do some of the same stuff, same type of stretches. A lot of the same techniques, it’s pretty cool. They drop down to their knees a lot to try to block the puck from going in the goal. We do the same when pitchers throw balls in the dirt. I’m sure they do a lot of drill work with it. It’s kind of cool to see the other end of it.

• John Thorn at Our Game (a noted Baseball historian) shares an old article that names Joe Jackson as, "The Man Who Might Have Been the Greatest Player in the Game". 
• Cuba's best hitter has reportedly just defected, via Matthew Pouliot at Hard Ball Talk.  He's a 1st Baseman, so I would be surprised if the Dodgers make a play for him.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Ramon Hernandez has Been Released

Signaling an end to a trade that still boggles my mind.  It has just been annouced, via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on twitter, that catcher Ramon Hernandez has been released by the Dodgers.

#Dodgers officially release C Ramon Hernandez.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 22, 2013

As you recall, the Dodgers received Hernandez via a trade during Spring Training that sent starting pitcher Aaron Harang to the Rockies.  At the time, we were overstocked with starters, so a trade was imminent.  I think it's fair to say, though that what we got in return for Harang was less than overwhelming.  Hernandez was always just a temporary placeholder and was clearly on the downside of his career.  Furthermore, we had Tim Federowicz waiting in the wings, so this particular move looked unnecessary to me. 

To make matters worse, the Rockies immediately sent Harang to the Mariners for a minor league pitching prospect.  They received Steven Hensley, who is currently pitching relief for Colorado's AAA club in Colorado Springs.  I am unsure if he is any good, but suffice to say that having a potential arm in the bullpen (even a 26-year old arm) is better than an aging unnecessary catcher.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2013 - Dodgers Links - AJ & Beckett are Down, Manny Celebrates his 41st

Here is Don Sutton with his Dodger bobblehead that will be given out this coming Thursday, June 6th at Dodger Stadium, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• "Does It Make Sense to Replace a Manager During the Season?"  By Jonah Keri at Grantland.
• It becomes more clear why Federowicz was called up.  Via Austin Laymance at ESPN, AJ Ellis has an issue with his left oblique.



(twitter link)

• Topps shares a preview pic of a Jackie Robinson 2013 Archives Gallery of Heroes insert card on twitter.  See it on the right.
• Via Tom Hoffarth at Farther Off the Wall, we find out that Ross Porter will be back in the broadcast booth at Dodger Stadium tonight as a part of the Fox Sports West crew covering the CIF Southern Section Division III title game.
• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times tells us that Josh Beckett will be seeing a nerve specialist on Monday.

“The frustrating thing is that I don’t have pain,” Beckett said. “I’m dealing with ineffectiveness and numbness where I can’t actually feel the baseball.”

• The Sons of Steve Garvey puts together a nice article for Big League Stew.  It's a local's guide to enjoying Dodger Stadium.
• I missed this last week.  Topps was in Hollywood and shared a pic on twitter to prove it.  Check it out below.  They brought along some 2013 Big League Mini figurines.

(twitter link)

• This is the craziest trade proposal I have ever read.  Via Bob Verdi at the Daily Herald, we find out that former Kings and Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke once proposed trading Wilt Chamberlain to the Bulls in exchange for Bobby Hull of the Blackhawks.
• Sometimes I miss the infectious smile of Manny Ramirez.  Check out what his teammates in Taiwan did to celebrate his 41st birthday yesterday in the video below.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Kemp to DL as Expected - Dodgers Fool Us All with Who Gets Called Up

Ever since Matt Kemp came out of the last night's game due to a hamstring strain the internet has been buzzing with prognostications predicting the eventual call-up of either Joc Pederson or Yasiel Puig to Los Angeles.  It seemed like the entire chatting masses were certain of this event. 

Well, the Dodgers just threw everyone a curveball.  Announced just a moment ago, Matt Kemp is indeed being sent to the 15-Day Disabled List, and in his stead will be Tim Federowicz.  Via the Dodgers Press Release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed outfielder Matt Kemp on the 15-day disabled list with a mild right hamstring strain and recalled catcher Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Albuquerque. Federowicz, who is in his fourth stint with the Dodgers this season, was batting .418 with eight doubles, a triple, eight homers and 25 RBI in 21 games with the Isotopes. With Albuquerque, the 25-year-old posted a 1.348 OPS (.500 on-base percentage, .848 slugging percentage) and batted .417 (10-for-24) with runners in scoring position. Federowicz has gone 3-for-17 (.176) in 10 big league games this season.

How's that, folks?  The Dodgers obviously don't care what we want. 

I jest, of course.  It's just kinda exciting to know we have a couple of kids in the minors who have a chance to be really good, and I can be a very impatient man.

BTW, the same press release indicates that Stephen Fife is now off the DL, and has been sent to Albuquerque.

The Dodgers also reinstated right-hander Stephen Fife from the 15-day DL and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. Fife made 70 pitches in a rehab start on Tuesday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in 4.0 innings, while walking one and striking out three in a loss. He made his only start for the Dodgers on April 21 at Baltimore before retroactively going on the DL the next day with right shoulder bursitis. In three starts for the Isotopes this season, Fife has gone 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA.

Something tells me that we haven't seen the last of him.

Pic Credit Above: Jon SooHoo / LA Dodgers 2013.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome Back to the Blue, Federowicz!

Ya know, I look in bewilderment at some of the moves Ned Colletti has been making.  Like... why did we send TFed back down to begin with?  I understand we received Ramon Hernandez (our other backup catcher) in exchange for Aaron Harang, but was he really the best you could do?  Heck, you would think that a low level quasi-prospect could have been had for him- a guy who might be a long shot as a reliever, at the very least. 

Well, it has now been confirmed that sparsely used shortstop Justin Sellers will be going to AAA, and Tim Federowicz is now back up with the big club.  Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled catcher Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned infielder Justin Sellers to Triple-A Albuquerque. Federowicz was recently named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the period of April 29-May 5, batting .571 with three doubles, a triple, three homers and six RBI in that span, and overall was hitting .531 with seven homers and 20 RBI in 13 games with the Isotopes. Federowicz enters his third stint of the season with Los Angeles after making the Opening Day roster and has appeared in three Major League games this season, going 0-for-5 with a walk.

Sellers was batting .191 with one home run, one double and two RBI in 26 games this year for the Dodgers.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *