Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 21/Home Game 10

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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Seattle Mariners (9-11-2) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-8-2)
Monday, March 21, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch
RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (2-0, 5.87) vs. RHP Kenta Maeda (1-0, 0.00)
TV: None Radio: None

Here’s how the #Dodgers & #Mariners will start today’s game. We’ll get you highlights & analysis at 7PM tonight. pic.twitter.com/umqG65vRH8

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 21, 2016

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(Kenley Jansen, pic via Jon SooHoo on twitter)

IT’S ONLY SPRING: The Dodgers, who have lost their last five games, look to snap their losing streak as they face the Seattle Mariners for the second time this spring at Camelback Ranch. Los Angeles, which played split-squad games yesterday, fell to both the Padres at home, 12-5, and to the Brewers at Maryvale, 3-1. In the home game, minor leaguer Jeremy Kehrt made his first start and appearance of Spring Training, after scheduled starter Mike Bolsinger was scratched prior to the game. Kehrt allowed six runs on nine hits in 1.1 innings of work and recorded the loss,  while Corey Brown drove in two runs on a single during a four-run sixth inning. Over in Maryvale, Scott Kazmir made his third Cactus League start, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in 4.0 innings and took the loss. At the plate, Charlie Culberson slugged his second homer of the spring with a solo shot in the fifth inning to collect the only run for the Dodgers.

• The Dodgers are playing the Mariners for the second time this spring after beating the M’s, 8-4, on March 12 at Peoria. Los Angeles swept Seattle in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium last year in their only meetings of the 2015 season.

(AGon, pic via @WBC on twitter)

VIVA MEXICO!: The Dodgers would like to congratulate Adrian Gonzalez and Team Mexico on its 12-1 win in last night’s WBC qualifier against Nicaragua in Mexicali, punching the ticket to the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez finished the night going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. He returns to the Dodger lineup in today’s contest against the Mariners, making the start at first base and batting cleanup.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: The Dodgers would like to wish Frankie Montas a very happy birthday, as he turns 23 today! The right-handed pitcher was acquired from the White Sox in December in a three-team trade and appeared in seven games (two starts) with Chicago last year in his first Major League appearances, going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA. 

ROSTER MOVES: Prior to yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned right-handed pitcher Zach Lee to minor-league camp. The Dodgers have 46 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

ON THE AIR: The Dodger game on Sunday, March 27 against the Cincinnati Reds will be heard on AM 1150 in Los Angeles instead of AM 570 due to a scheduling conflict.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Kenta Maeda will face off against fellow Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma of Seattle in his fourth start of the spring (0 ER/8.2 IP). Maeda last pitched March 15 when he allowed two unearned runs in 3.2 innings of work against the White Sox. The 27-year-old right-hander was signed to an eight-year contract on Jan. 7 following eight professional seasons with the Hiroshima Carp (2008-15) in which he compiled a 97-67 record with a 2.39 ERA in 218 games (217 starts). During the course of his Japanese career, Maeda won two Sawamura Awards (2010, 2015), given to the league’s best pitcher.
• LHP J.P. Howell will pitch in his sixth game this spring, after tossing 1.0 scoreless inning Saturday against the White Sox. Howell finished the 2015 season with a 6-1 record with one save and tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances.
• RHP Kenley Jansen will make his sixth relief appearance, after most recently pitching 1.0 inning Saturday against the White Sox. Jansen enters his seventh big league season after successfully converting 36 of 38 save opportunities last year, the third- highest single-season save percentage in team history (Gagne: 2003-100.0%, 2004-95.7%).
• RHP Louis Coleman is expected to make his seventh Cactus League outing (0 ER/6.0 IP), last pitching 1.0 scoreless inning of relief against the White Sox. Coleman has given up just two hits and no runs thus far. He enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.

(Kershaw & Maeda, pic via Jon SooHoo on twitter)

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Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

I want to do what these kids above are doing - so badly!

Yesterday, the Dodgers held their LADF Children’s Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium, and pulled out all the stops to make it a fun day.  As you can see in the photos taken by Jon SooHoo, they constructed a snow sledding course that had to be the big hit of the day.  They also handed out a bunch of gifts and several Dodger players came out to greet and sign for fans; including Justin Turner and Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Go here to check out a bunch of great photos.  You can watch an interview with Turner from the event here.

If Ryu went down that course please tell me there's a video.  Please!  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, "Yasiel Puig bar fight may not have been as bad as it sounded initially."

Word from someone briefed on the encounter is that Puig originally tried to play peacemaker between his sister and her boyfriend, but was asked to leave after getting a bit loud. There may have been some disagreement about how quickly he was leaving, and bar workers are said to have physically escorted him out.

Apparently, he got hit in the eye during the escorting process, then after he broke free from their grip or they let him go, he apparently retaliated with a shot to one of the rougher bar workers.

• Grant Bisbee, who typically writes for an enemy blog from up north, pens a piece for SB Nation that attempts to calm the guffaws of opposing fans; "Don't write the Dodgers off yet, you fools."

Regardless of what they do, it's not time to label the Dodgers' offseason a failure. It's been weird, sure. Filled with stops and starts and surprises. But it's not over, and they don't have to make a mega-whopper deal for Fernandez to salvage anything. They still have options, and the means to acquire just about anything worth acquiring. Writing them off seems like a good way to look silly later on.

• The Dodgers made a minor trade yesterday with the Mariners.  They acquired left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Olson for an undisclosed amount of cash - and a box of Baseballs; LOL.  BTW, Olson had been DFA'd by the Mariners a couple of days ago.  Via a press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired left-handed pitcher Tyler Olson from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. To create room on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-handed pitcher Daniel Reynolds for assignment.

Olson, 26, saw his first big league action with Seattle last year, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 relief appearances, and also appeared in 25 games (six starts) with Triple-A Tacoma, where he went 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA. In three minor league seasons in the Mariners’ organization, he posted a 17-17 record with a 3.86 ERA in 70 games (41 starts) after being selected by Seattle in the seventh round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Gonzaga.

• Former Dodger prospect Allen Webster, who was traded to the Red Sox as a key piece to that blockbuster that netted us AGon, has been released by the Pirates, via Stephen J. Nesbitt at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  He is expected to sign with a team in Korea.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2015 - Dodger Links - Don't Believe the Hype

"Jumbo" Jim Elliot was a large man.  He stood 6' 3" and weight an hefty 235 lbs during his playing days, but that hamper his abilities.  Over a ten year Major League career he proved to be durable and reliable on the mound.  The left-hander even lead the league in wins one season as a member of the Phillies in 1931.  In the photo above, dated to 1927, he was only 26-years old and just on the cusp of a playing career.  Elliot would spend five season in Brooklyn and record 26 wins with a 3.89 ERA over 608.1 innings.

The above photo was taken by the great Charles Conlon and recently sold at an RMY Auction for $27.  Below are more links to check out:

• I hate having to say this every time the silly season comes around, but you should take everything you hear and read (especially related to Jose Fernandez stuff) with a grain of salt.  Think of it like high school.  How much of the gossip you heard back was actually true?

Folks, Marlins are trolling everyone on Jose Fernandez-it's all a big waste of time- b8

— Dodgers Blue Heaven (@ernestreyes) December 9, 2015

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Safety netting at Dodger Stadium will extend to edge of dugouts."
• Via David Golebiewski at the Daily Gammons, "Chase Utley’s Not Dead Yet."
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "MLB executive Joe Torre addresses Aroldis Chapman situation."

“As far as the policy, you know, as awful as this situation is, there are still rights that have to be protected, and so we're very careful in making sure that we respect that and get all the information and then we will proceed accordingly.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Why the Dodgers haven't ended their Aroldis Chapman pursuit."

“Everything is factored in when you make personnel decisions,” Friedman said. “Even when I was with the Rays, we put a tremendous amount of work in with guys. You go into any decision with your eyes wide open and constantly talk through things. You look at the pros and cons and see what makes the most sense.”

• Via an AP story at the Boston Herald, "Police: Domestic case involving pitcher Aroldis Chapman is closed."
• Via  J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Andrew Friedman: Julio Urias isn’t part of the Dodgers’ 2016 rotation plans for now."
• And the new assistant hitting coach is..., Via Nick Cafardo on twitter:

The Dodgers will hire Red Sox minor league hitting coordinator Tim Hyers as their assistant hitting coach.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) December 8, 2015

• Wow!  Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Mariners hire Amanda Hopkins as MLB's first full-time female scout in 60 years."

Hopkins is from Des Moines, Wash, which is near Seattle. She played softball at Central Washington University before graduating and moving into a front office position with the Mariners last season. The Mariners obviously liked what she brought to the table. During the fall, they decided to sponsor Hopkins so she could attend the Major League Scouting Bureau developmental program. She made a strong impression there as well, or at least a good enough impression that the Mariners are comfortable putting her right into scouting field.

“She has it in her blood,” Mariners amateur scouting director Tom McNamara was quoted as saying by Baseball America. “She has good instincts and feel for scouting.”

• This is interesting.  Here's a listing of the all "The Highest Paid Athlete from Every State," via Matt Shirley at Playboy (SFW, but a playboy link).  Two Dodger players are on the list; Ethier in Arizona and Kershaw in Texas.  Also, Vermont apparently has no current professional athletes.

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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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Mariners Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Seattle Mariners, and several former Dodger players will be in the house to meet with fans for a free autograph session.  Below are the scheduled opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Monday, April 13th at 7:10 PM

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first of three Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Don Newcombe pin.  see it on the right.

Nico DeJesus from Disney’s “Newsies” a will throw the ceremonial first pitch. LA Opera bass-baritone and LA native Ryan McKinny will perform the national anthem.

Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez will be receiving their Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards before the game.  This award is determined by using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Commander Todd P. Klipp of New York. Klipp served active duty for 26 years in several capacities including Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic; Commander, Amphibious Group Four; Commander, Amphibious Group Three; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command and the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His deployments include to 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic with NATO and to 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf. Klipp finished his naval career at Naval Surface Warfare Command, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) where he served as the Chief Staff Officer and Department Officer for the Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department.

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Tuesday, April 14th at 7:10 PM

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  This is the ever popular Star Wars Night (already sold out).  The Star Wars Celebration convention is in Anaheim the following weekend.  Fans must purchase a ticket package that includes a ticket in the All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve in order to receive the special edition Star Wars/Dodger t-shirt.  Check it out on the left. 

Star Wars characters will be on the field prior to the game, and although not yet officially announced I'm sure one of them will throw out the first pitch.  “American Idol” Top 16 finalist and lead singer of synth-pop act MONOGEM Jen Hirsh will perform the national anthem.

BTW, former Dodger outfielder Kenny Landreaux will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Weir of Walnut Ridge, AR, and U.S. Marine Corporal Justin Crabbe of Rancho Cucamonga. Weir served a short time in the military due to an accident and is now serving as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence where he helps pair wounded veterans with assistance dogs. Crabbe served a six-month deployment to Japan and Afghanistan. Crabbe also serves as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support.

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Wednesday, April 15th at 7:10 PM

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  Dodger Stadium will host the Civil Rights Game this evening as a part of Jackie Robinson Day.  The game will be televised on ESPN2.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Adult Jackie Robinson Replica Jersey.  Check it out on the left.

Magic Johnson and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be recognized as recipients of the 2015 MLB Beacon Awards, which recognize individuals whose lives and actions have been emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement.  Frank Robinson will also receive a special award in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of him becoming Baseball’s first African-American manager. 

Rachel Robinson (Jackie's wife) will throw out the first pitch prior to the game.  Sandy Koufax, Don Newcombe, Joni Campanella (Roy’s daughter) and scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will also be featured during the pregame ceremony.  TNT Sports Analyst, NBA Champion and star of reality show “Meet the Smiths” Kenny “the Jet” Smith will throw the first pitch.  Grammy nominated artist Tyrese Gibson will perform the National Anthem.

Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Colonel Cathy M. Davidson of Chicago. Davidson has served in the military 25 years and was commissioned in 1990. Her first assignment was the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after completing OBC and successfully crossed-training in Neonatal ICU and the Pediatric Unit, after which she earned the “Delta” identifier in 1991. Davidson served as a Clinical Nurse at 121st Evacuation Hospital (EUSA) in Seoul, Korea, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and most recently served as Chief, Quality Management Division, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. She is currently serving as the Deputy Commander Nursing Services at Weed Army Community Hospital in Fort Irwin.  

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Dodgers on the Road - A Clubhouse Filled with Sweets - Split Squad Game Info

The Dodgers head outside of the friendly confines at Camelback Ranch for the first time this spring, and quickly find themselves surrounded by sugary delights.  It's like the opposition heard about the Dodgers recent move towards healthy eating and decided to just screw with them. 

Featured in the photos above and below are Justin Tuner and Scott Van Slyke raiding the visiting clubhouse food shelves for a little pick-me-up.  Both photos where shared by AJ Ellis on twitter here and here.

BTW, I haven't received game notes from the Dodgers yet, but I can share that today is the first split squad day of the spring season.  Below are the particulars.

Game 1:

Dodgers vs. Seattle at 12:05 PM PST
LHP David Huff vs. RHP Erasmo Ramirez
TV: SNLA Radio: AM 570 (Eng.)

Below is the Dodger lineup; including a quick change:

#Dodgers split-squad lineup vs. SEA Rollins SS Crawford LF Gonzalez 1B Grandal C Kendrick 2B Ethier RF Uribe 3B Heisey CF Barnes DH Huff P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 6, 2015

#Dodgers announce lineup change. Austin Barnes will catch, Yasmani Grandal will DH in Glendale vs. Mariners.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) March 6, 2015

Game 2:
Dodgers vs. Milwaukee at 12: PM PST
RHP Zach Lee vs. RHP Matt Garza
No TV or Radio

#Dodgers split-squad lineup vs MIL Hernandez SS Ellis C Puig RF Turner DH Van Slyke LF Pederson CF Guerrero 3B Jensen 1B Barney 2B Lee P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 6, 2015

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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)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 33 | Road Game 16

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

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (11-18-3) vs. Seattle Mariners (19-11)
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Peoria Stadium
LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 3.60) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (0-1, 1.64)
TV: None | Radio: None

(twitter link: @jphoornstra)

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(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

GOING, GOING, BACK, BACK: The Dodgers play their final Cactus League game this afternoon against the Mariners before returning to California for four final exhibition games against Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and the Angels. Today’s contest is the Dodgers third against Seattle this spring (1-1) as Los Angeles attempts to snap its three-game losing streak before departing the Valley of the Sun.

• 10,557 watched the Dodgers wrap up their home slate at Camelback Ranch last night, finishing with an attendance mark of 133,460 in 17 home dates (average 7,851, including the Mexico exhibition). That is the Dodgers’ second-highest home attendance mark in team history behind only the 136,944 that the club drew in 15 home dates in 2009 (average 9,130), which also included a World Baseball Classic exhibition. Los Angeles also established a single-game Cactus League attendance mark with a sellout of 13,721 on Saturday night against the White Sox, giving the club the top three highest attended games in league history.
• Los Angeles ranks second among all National League squads with a .348 on-base percentage and ties for second with 102 walks. Once on base, the Dodgers have been active on the basepaths, leading the NL with 36 steals.
• On the mound, Dodger pitchers have struck out a Major League-best 259 batters.

FINAL TUNEUP: Clayton Kershaw will make his final start of the exhibition season and will next be on the hill on Monday, when the Dodgers open the 2013 season against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. It will be Kershaw’s third consecutive Opening Day start and since his MLB debut in 2008, the 2011 NL Cy Young Award winner’s name has dotted the league leaderboards:

MLB ERA LEADERS, 2008-2012 (min. 100 GS)                   MLB LEADERS, OPP. AVG. 2008-2012 (min. 100 GS)
Clayton Kershaw                    2.79                         Clayton Kershaw                       .215
Roy Halladay                          2.85                         Justin Verlander                         .226
Cliff Lee                                  2.89                         David Price                                .227
Felix Hernandez                      2.92                         Mat Latos                                   .227
Adam Wainwright                   2.99                         Matt Cain                                   .229

• Among MLB starters during the course of his career, Kershaw also ranks 10th in winning percentage (.622, 61-37), places third in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.29) and has allowed the second-fewest home runs per 9.0 innings (0.59).
• Today will be Kershaw’s seventh start of the spring after last pitching on Friday against the Reds, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in 6.0 innings. Kershaw struck out a spring-high eight batters in that outing and has fanned 28 in 25.0 innings.
• Following Kershaw for the opening series against the Giants will be LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (April 2) and RHP Josh Beckett (April 3).

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday, the Dodgers optioned shortstop Dee Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque and outfielder Yasiel Puig to Double-A Chattanooga. The Dodgers have 36 players remaining in big league camp.

SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY: The Dodgers’ ninth-inning rally came up 90 feet short last night as Los Angeles fell, 7-6, to Colorado at Camelback Ranch. Tim Federowicz blasted a three-run homer, his first of the spring, while Andre Ethier stroked his third triple in Cactus League play and scored in his only at-bat. A.J. Ellis went 2-for-3, raising his batting average to .359, and Alfredo Amezaga had two hits, including an RBI double in the ninth.

• Ethier, who is hitting .348 with a .423 on-base percentage, is tied for the National League lead with three triples this spring. Of his 16 hits, 10 have gone for extra bases (six doubles, three triples and a homer).

‘M’ IS FOR MATT: Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PST, Matt Kemp will be featured on an episode of PBS’s Sesame Street. The slugger will be appearing on the “Word of the Day” segment with “Abby” the Muppet. Sesame Street, which first aired in 1969, has had a laundry list of esteemed guests that have appeared on the show, including Jackie Robinson, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson, to name a few.

HOME SWEET HOME:  The Dodgers will return to Southern California tomorrow for a split-squad exhibition game at The Epicenter against the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at 6:05 p.m. and a contest against the Angels in Anaheim for the first game of the three-game exhibition Freeway Series set for 7:05 p.m. at Angel Stadium. The Freeway Series continues Friday with a 7:10 p.m. game at Dodger Stadium and wraps up Saturday with a 6:05 p.m. game in Anaheim.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 14/ Home 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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Seattle Mariners (11-3) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (4-6-3)
Saturday, March 9, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
RHP Aaron Harang (1-0, 18.00) vs. RHP Jon Garland (1-0, 0.00)
TV: Dodgers.com Webcast | Radio: KTNQ

(twitter link)

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(pic link: Mattingley: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

PLAY BALL!: The Dodgers take on the Mariners for the second of three times this spring after falling to Seattle, 9-5, last Saturday in Peoria. The clubs will meet one final time on March 27 in Peoria in the Dodgers’ Cactus League finale. Los Angeles was no-hit by six Seattle pitchers (including current Dodger Brandon League) on June 8, 2012, but bounced back to take two of three from the Mariners last season at Safeco Field. The Mariners, however, hold a 13-12 advantage in 25 all-time meetings between the clubs.

• Matt Kemp is the designated hitter in the Dodger lineup today and will be the club’s last DH of the spring as pitchers are expected to start hitting in tomorrow’s game against the Rockies at Talking Stick.

THAT NEVER HAPPENED: The Dodgers were washed out in both games yesterday with the club leading both games at the time of cancellation due to rain. In Scottsdale, Los Angeles led 3-0 when the game was banged in the second inning, while in Glendale the Dodgers held a 3-1 advantage over the Reds when the tarp crew was summoned. Chris Capuano was among the notable performances against the Reds that won’t show up on a stat sheet, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings, along with Dee Gordon (1-for-2, 2B, SB) and Scott Van Slyke (1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI).

• A number of Dodgers continue to rank among the National League leaders with Yasiel Puig batting .423 on the spring (8th, NL), Dee Gordon stealing five bases (1st, NL) and Jeremy Moore pacing the circuit in doubles (5, NL). In addition, Gordon is tied for the NL lead with six walks, and Andre Ethier’s two triples are tied for tops in the NL.
• The Dodgers continue to lead all National League clubs with a .307 team batting average and a .386 team on-base percentage through 13 Cactus League games.

EXTRA ARMS: Tommy Davis will throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to this afternoon’s game against the Mariners. Davis, a two-time NL batting champion in 1962 and 1963, is in camp this weekend along with Ron Cey as a guest instructor. The three-time All-Star played in 18 Major League seasons, including eight seasons in Dodger blue from 1959-66.

• Tonight, Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda will have first pitch honors at the World Baseball Classic game between the United States and Italy at 7:00 pm at Chase Field.

(pic link: Cey: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

VIVA LOS DODGERS: Dodger players continued to play key roles in the World Baseball Classic yesterday with Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez combining to drive in all five Team Mexico runs in its 5-2 win over the United States last night. Gonzalez, who reached base four times, had three RBI, including a two-run homer off R.A. Dickey in the third inning. Mexico takes on Canada today at 12:30 pm in its third and final game in pool play.

• Team Italy continues to be the talk of the tournament and yesterday, Nick Punto went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Italy’s 14-4 win over Canada. Italy wraps up pool play with a game against Team USA tonight at 7:00 pm.
• Hanley Ramirez and the Dominican Republic also return to action this morning at 9:00 am against Spain, while Ronald Belisario and Venezuela take on Puerto Rico at 3:30 pm.

HILLTOPPERS: RHP Aaron Harang last pitched on Monday, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings in a minor league game. The 34-year-old has made just one official Cactus League appearance this spring, allowing four runs on five hits in 2.0 innings, but picking up the win on Feb. 27 against the Cubs in Mesa.

• RHP Brandon League will make his third “official” appearance of the spring, but last pitched on Wednesday with a scoreless inning against Team Mexico at Camelback Ranch. The former Mariner faced his old ‘mates on Saturday in Peoria in his last Cactus League appearance, allowing three runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning.
• RHP Kenley Jansen last pitched on Wednesday with two strikeouts in a scoreless frame against Team Mexico. He has made only one “official” appearance this spring with a scoreless inning against the Giants on Feb. 26.
• LHP J.P. Howell fired a 1-2-3 inning against Team Mexico on Wednesday in his last appearance after allowing two runs in 2.0 innings in his two Cactus League outings.

(pic link: Ryu & Ishibashi: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 9/ Road Game 4

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 (3-3-2) at Seattle Mariners (7-1)
Saturday, March 2, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Peoria Stadium, Peoria
LHP Chris Capuano vs. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma

(twitter link)

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(pic link: Mattingly, Ron Howard and Friends: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013)

HELLO NEIGHBOR: The Dodgers will make the quick trip to Peoria this afternoon to take on the Mariners in the first of three matchups vs. Seattle this spring. Los Angeles will also travel to Peoria Stadium to play Seattle in its final Cactus League game on March 27 and the Mariners come to Camelback Ranch on Friday, March 9. In case you’re counting down the days, the Dodgers are just 30 days away from Opening Day vs. the Giants!

WHOOPS: The Dodgers dropped both contests yesterday, losing 16-8 to the Angels in Tempe and 7-5 to the Padres in Glendale. Luis Cruz (3-for-3), Hanley Ramirez (2-for-3) and Wilkin Castillo (2-for-3) all had multi-hit games while Paco Rodriguez, Kevin Gregg and Eric Eadington all tossed scoreless baseball.

(pic link: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013)

• There will be just one minor leaguer making the trip to Peoria and his name is Ryan Acosta. Acosta, a right-handed pitcher, will wear No. 82.

C.C. ON THE OTHER COAST: Dodger lefty Chris Capuano will make his first spring start and second appearance of the spring today in Peoria. Capuano gave up four runs in 2.0 innings last Monday, yielding two home runs. The Massachusetts native had a career-best 3.72 ERA for Los Angeles in 2012. 

• RHP Chad Billingsley, who gave up two runs in 2.0 innings on Feb. 25 vs. the Cubs is set to make his second appearance, this time in relief. In 2007, Billingsley started the season in the bullpen and thrived, going 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 35.0 innings (23 games). 
• RHP Ronald Belisario is making his third appearance this afternoon and will depart for the World Baseball Classic tomorrow. Belisario will join the Venezuelan team in Puerto Rico for their first game on March 7 vs. Hanley Ramirez and the Dominican Republic. 
• Dodger closer Brandon League will make his second appearance of the spring. League gave up a solo homer in his lone inning of work on Feb. 26 vs. San Francisco. 
• LHP J.P. Howell will also make his second appearance this afternoon.

HOT HITTERS: The Dodgers are hitting a National League-best .308 as a team, paced by the red-hot Brian Barden, who is 7-for-11 (.636) thus far. Barden gets the start at first base today and has also played right field, left field and third base. Batting cleanup in the lineup is Luis Cruz, who is hitting .417 (5-for-12) with two doubles, two homers and a team-leading five RBI. Cruz is tied for eighth in the Cactus League with 13 total bases and has played 20.0 innings at third base. Dee Gordon leads the club in innings played thus far, logging 29.0, all at shortstop.

• The Dodgers also lead all National League teams with a .402 on-base percentage.

BIG DOINGS: Dodger greats Eric Karros and Shawn Green are in uniform at Camelback Ranch and Hall of Fame skipper Tommy Lasorda addressed the team this morning. Tomorrow, the Dodgers will hold their annual “Dodger Idol” competition in which players in their first big league camp perform some musical ditties to the delight of their teammates.   

(pic link: twitter @camelbackranch)

• Dodger legends Ron Cey and Tommy Davis will arrive Friday, March 8 and spend a few days in camp working with the squad.

NIGHT MOVES: The Mariners starting third baseman today is Kyle Seager, older brother of the Dodgers’ 2012 first-round selection (18th overall), Corey Seager. Last year, Corey hit .309 with eight homers, 33 RBI, eight steals and a .383 on-base percentage in just 46 games for Rookie-advanced Ogden. The 18-year-old North Carolina native is working out today on the minor league side.    

AND THAT’S THE WAY IT IS: Dodger broadcaster Charley Steiner may have missed the last two games with a frog in his throat, but he should be back to full strength in time to be a guest lecturer at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State on Monday. Following that, Steiner will head out to work the World Baseball Classic for MLB International and head back to Glendale in the middle of March.

BE THERE!: The Dodgers ticket sales department will host another Open House tomorrow morning in which fans interested in purchasing a Mini Plan or season tickets can stop by Dodger Stadium from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Complete details on this event can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/openhouse. Dodger season tickets start at just $6 per game.

• While there, fans can check out the construction of the Dodgers’ new scoreboards. Thursday, ANC announced details of the displays, which are designed in the historic hexagonal shape of the stadium’s original scoreboard and will feature a total active viewing area of approximately 2488 square feet. The scoreboards will feature the highest pixel densities in Major League Baseball.

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Welcome to the Blue, Brandon

The Dodgers sure are doing their best to stay competitive this season.  Last night, they made a deal with the Mariners to trade 2 prospects for reliever Brandon League.  League is a former closer who has struggled this season as he saw his strike out/walk ratio fall significantly from last year.  Below is a excerpt from a press release.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed reliever Brandon League from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league outfielder Leon Landry and minor league right-handed pitcher Logan Bawcom. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

League was 0-5 with a 3.63 ERA (18 ER/44.2 IP) and nine saves in 46 games for the Mariners this season, striking out 27 batters and allowing just one home run. The Sacramento, CA native was named to the American League All-Star team in 2011 and went on to save 37 games for Seattle last year.

League’s 37 saves in 42 chances last year ranked third in the American League and tied for fourth on the Mariners’ all-time single-season saves list. The 29-year old hurler recorded 14 consecutive saves from May 18-July 4, 2011. His 88.1 save percentage was the sixth highest in Mariners’ history.

In exchange, we send away a couple of decent prospects; one of whom has been red hot lately.  Leon Landry is a speedy outfielder who has shown that he can hit the ball in high A.  In fact, he was recently named the Cal League Player of the week, per MiLB:

(.467/.469/1.033, 6 G, 14-for-30, 1 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 3 SB)
Speaking of triples, Landry took over the Minor League lead in three-baggers with five this week, giving him 15 on the season. The 22-year-old outfielder went 4-for-6 with an inside-the-park homer, two triples, four RBIs and three runs scored against visiting Lake Elsinore on Friday night. A third-round pick out of LSU in 2010, Landry also has 26 doubles (third-most in the Cal League) and eight round-trippers to give him a league leading 49 extra-base hits.

Logan Bawcom figures on being a reliever and might star as a closer at some point in his career.  This year, he has recorded 20 saves with a 2.03 ERA.

Below are stats for Brandon League.


UPDATE:  BTW, Brandon League is on twitter- @BrandonLeague43.  Go ahead and follow him!

(twitter link: @BrandonLeague43)

Blog Kiosk: 10/11/2009

Who's next?

• Big League Stew has a bunch of pics from the Dodger vs. Cardinals series.
  
• Ryan Howard and the Phillies tried to take advantage of a 12 year old girl and her family. (Hat Tip: SCD)
  
• For some great Dodger graphics check out The Left Field Pavilion.
• The king ballhawk, Zach Hample, was at game 2 in LA, grabbed 5 baseballs and met up with JoseBeingManny. By the way, the Manny impersonator is a ballhawk himself. So far, he has snagged 185 baseballs at games. Check his stats here at MyGameBalls.com. And here's a video from DodgerFilms on Youtube showing how we beat the Cardinals. It happens to show Hample chasing a ball.

YouTube Link: DodgerFilms:

• You are not a reporter if you just make numbers up off the top of your head. UpperDeck.com explains why recent industry news about the demise of sports cards is wrong by explaining that industry numbers provided by Becket.com reporter O'Connell were just made up- literally made up. Shame on you.
  
• GCRL scores big with 3 autos from former Negro League players in the mail.
  
• Former Dodger farmhand and hot prospect Franklin Gutierrez has been a diamond in the rough for the Mariners, via The Seattle Times.
  
• Check out this analysis of MLB attendance this year, from The Biz of Baseball.
  
• The Pumkin Cannon.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: The Agonist: