Blog Kiosk: 9/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this AP wirephoto featuring Jackie (auction link here). Dated to April 24, 1960, it features Robinson joining a protest in Cleveland. Per a newspaper clipping attached to the reverse:

Jackie Robinson, former major league baseball star, grabbed a sign and joined pickets at Cleveland, Ohio, who protested discrimination against Negroes at lunch counters in the south. Pickets staked out a Cleveland store whose stubborn branches have been reported as refusing service to Negroes.

I somehow wanted to relate this photo to today's charged social and political climate, but struggled to find a path. Then, I came across something written by Steven Levingston at the Washington Post regarding the oftentimes contentious relationship between Jackie and John F. Kennedy:

“Without meaning to be impertinent, Mr. President, we have a suggestion,” Robinson said. He advised the president to go off somewhere alone and think about racial prejudice until he got as angry as he was about steel prices. Then the president could channel his fury into “the battle against the bigots in this country who are working harder to destroy it from within than any foreign power is working to destroy it from without.” Robinson wanted the president to inject some passion into his fight for civil rights. “Why Mr. President,” the baseball hero urged, “why don’t you get angry again?”

Is this the solution? Should folks around the country "go off somewhere alone and think about the" violence we've all been, to a certain extent, conditioned to accept as normal?  Three years later we finally heard JFK get angry, as Robinson suggested:

“We face,” (JFK) said “a moral crisis as a country and as a people. It cannot be met by repressive police action. It cannot be left to increased demonstrations in the streets. It cannot be quieted by token moves or talk.” He addressed civil rights in moral terms as no president ever had.

I still don't know if I accomplished my goal of relating the above photo to today's issues, but I do know that there is a moral crisis today and I think we'd be remiss not to touch upon it -- even on a sports-centered blog. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale's Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 59.  He went ten scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego, but unfortunately did not walk away with the victory. The Dodgers eventually won in the 16th inning, 2-1.  In 1997 Mike Piazza set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for home runs at 40. He hit two homers against Rockies starter John Thomson in Colorado.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Fournier, Whitey Witt, Glen Moulder, Todd Worrell, Héctor Giménez & Jerry Sands!

Blog Kiosk: 9/18/2015 - Dodger Links - Quakes, Latos and Ruggiano

The young Dodger farmhands with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are seen celebrating their playoff series victory a couple of days ago in the photo above; via a tweet from pitcher Chase De Jong.  They won it with a miraculous ninth inning rally that started with two men out.  In other news, I'm pretty sure many of the folks above are underage... Uh, who am I kidding... Who cares?  One evening of revelry is hardly unwarranted.

BTW, Last night was Game 1 of their Cal League Championship match against the San Jose Giants, and they decimated our rivals Class A league team, 12-3.  WooHoo!  The winning pitcher is none other than the guy who shared the photo above, Chase De Jong.  Via Tyler Maun at MiLB:

"It's always important to win Game 1, especially when you're at home," Quakes manager Bill Haselman said. "We had a pretty intense game yesterday, and they wiped that slate clean. They were ready for this game, so they did a heck of a job. De Jong did a great job on the mound, gave us six strong innings, and our offense was relentless with their ABs."

Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA also wrote a great story about last night's game that you check out here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Left Field Pavilion made a fantastic fantasy Baseball card featuring Joc Pederson and Corey Seager that you can see here.
• ICYMI:  Mat "Cat" Latos is no more.  He has been DFA'd by the Dodgers.  Unquestionably, he was the worst pickup so far for the new Dodger front office, and that's OK.  Nobody will be perfect all of the time.  That said, the fact that they were willing to cut bait rather than let him ride it out on the bench into October is telling.  This group will not hesitate to move beyond any mistakes - In other words, they don't let their pride dictate player movements.  

Or, maybe the 6.66 ERA in the six games he pitched for us as a bad omen. 

• Via Eric Avakian at Dodgers Nation, "Mattingly Not Surprised By Andre Ethier’s Season."

“Coming out of Spring Training with all the talk of wanting to play everyday and all that, and really I’ve said it a few different times, he’s backed it up with his play. When he’s gotten his opportunities he’s been really good. I don’t know if it’s really necessarily a surprise that he’s capable of this, but it’s been a good season for him.” 

• Via The Cauldron at Sports Illustrated, "Kershaw, Greinke could go down as one of the 10 greatest duos ever."
• Via Frank Cesare at the Daily Gammons, "Justin Ruggiano is Demolishing Lefties in LA."

In LA, Ruggiano has had 24 plate appearances against lefties. He possesses a .417 OBP, 1.330 OPS, .522 ISO, .461 BABIP, .550 wOBA and 261 wRC+. Those numbers may not be sustainable in the long run, but in his limited role, he’s carved out a niche that has helped catapult the Dodgers comfortably into the playoffs—barring a major collapse.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Seager can vouch for Schebler's hunger."

"He doesn't get the credit; he's not on the magazine covers and stuff, but every year, he puts up the numbers and now he's here and I'm really pumped for him," said Seager, ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Dodgers' top prospect and the No. 2 prospect in baseball. "He's everything you'd want in a teammate."

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Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, Rollins and Corey Seager

Justin Turner and the Dodgers had a grand ol' time in Arizona yesterday.  Turner recorded two hits and an RBI while the Dodgers won their second game of the three game series to drop their "Magic Number" to 13.  Best yet, Zach Greinke continued to build on his Cy Young bonifides by pitching eight shut out innings.  Via Steve Gilbert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They're an aggressive team and Zack just teases you with borderline pitches and that's why he gets so many ground balls against left-handed hitters," said catcher A.J. Ellis, who homered for the eventual decisive run. "Zack executes so well on the bottom half of the zone."

Photo above of Justin Turner goofing on DBacks mascot Baxter via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "Improved Greinke is having all-time great season."

"I'm a better pitcher now," Greinke said. "I used to try and strike everybody out. Now I just try to make a good pitch. And then when I throw the next one, I try to make a better pitch."

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Rollins will get shortstop job back upon return."

Via Don Mattingly: "I don't know what the chatter is with Corey and that position, but he's going to be really good. At this point, where we're at, we don't plan … Andrew and the front office hasn't come to me and said, put him in there every day. The plan has always been to give Jimmy days and J.T. days. He's played more than we thought because of injuries and done a good job."

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Corey Seager continues to impress."

“When you’re going good, you’re always confident. That comes with it,” Seager said. “You’re relaxed, everything’s clicking. It’s been a good run so far, so I’m going to try to keep that rolling.”

• ICYMI:  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers deal Minor Leaguer Barney to Jays."  In return, the Dodgers receive minor league catcher Jack Murphy, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Alex Cora at the Sons of Steve Garvey ran at the annual Dodgers 5K / 10K / Kids Run this past weekend and shares a bunch of pics.  Check it out here.
• Mat Latos will now work out of the bullpen as a long reliever, via Ken Gurnick on twitter:

Mat Latos now long reliever, Mattingly said.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 13, 2015

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Blog Kiosk: 9/10/2015 - Dodger Links - Seager, Kershaw and an Previously Unreleased Koufax Interview

Apparently, Clayton Kershaw isn't adept at every part of the game.  Sure, he's got some Cy Young's and an MVP, but can he hit a wiffle ball?  The answer to that question is no.  Via Davis Alder at MLB.com:

"My Wiffle ball game's pretty bad, apparently," Kershaw said. "My offensive game is bad. Albert can hit anything, apparently, even a Wiffle ball."

Yesterday afternoon Albert Pujols and Clayton Kershaw captained a team of super-fans for a charity wiffle ball game at Anaheim Stadium.  It was all in benefit of the Pujols Family Foundation and Kershaw's Challenge, and I'm sure a ton of money was raised.  Based on the photos that appeared online it looks like everyone had a bunch of fun.  Fortunately for them the rains didn't come until after they played. 

"It's great to hit homers and win World Series, but at the end of the day, it's about making a difference off the field," Pujols said. "That's how we want to be remembered."
...
"Just an awesome opportunity," Kershaw said. "It's really cool to see everyone come out and want to participate in this. Just being able to partner with Albert, and our foundations. What his foundation is doing, it's really cool for our foundation to be a part of as well."

You can watch Kershaw's terrible swing below, via @Angels on twitter:

3 strikes you're out Kersh! @PujolsFive & @ClaytonKersh22 play wiffle ball w/ lucky fans to benefit their charities! pic.twitter.com/HS9Eb7bPGY

— Angels (@Angels) September 9, 2015

Photo above of Pujols pitching to Kershaw via @MLB on twitter.  BTW, the Dodgers "Magic Number" is now at 15 in spite of their loss to the Angels last night - the Giants got beat by Arizona.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Seager brings great expectations to LA."

"He's been good," manager Don Mattingly said, trying not to pump the hype machine. "He doesn't seem overwhelmed in any way. He's comfortable in either place [shortstop or third]. He's glad we played him some third base in Triple-A; he got accustomed to it.

"He's pretty solid, pretty calm. We saw that in the spring. He hasn't been through a bad spell [offensively], but he'll have trials and tribulations like everyone else. The feeling I get is that he'll handle it well."

• Baseball America has named Corey Seager onto their 2015 Minor League All-Star team, here.  Pitcher Jose DeLeon was named to the Second Team All-Stars.
• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Latos' scratch has ripple effect on LA rotation."

Alex Wood starts on Friday with an extra day of rest, Mike Bolsinger slides into the rotation Saturday with three extra days of rest, followed by Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. Brett Anderson will start on Tuesday, nine days after he was pulled with a cramping left calf.

"I don't think Brett really wanted it, but for us it made the most sense," Mattingly said. "Going into the year, we were worried about the number of starts, the number of innings. With this opportunity, and the fact that the calf shows up at all, it gives him a few extra days. It allows up to set up the lefties against Colorado."

• Eric Stephens at True Blue LA provides an update on the opening playoff games for a couple of Dodger Minor League clubs: "Great Lakes drops Game 1, Oklahoma City stopped short."
• If you can stand him then watch Bill Plaschke mouth off about the lack of the Dodgers on television: "Bill Plaschke's Wakeup Call: No free Dodgers on TV this year?"  He mentions that there will be no Dodger games on KDOC for the last homestand like last year.  Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times has more: "No plans to air Dodgers games on KDOC for playoff run this year: Time Warner."
• Via Craig Edwards at FanGraphs, "Dodgers’ $300 Million Payroll Not That Crazy."
• This is a treat.  Grantland shares a previously unreleased video of Sandy Koufax talking about his Perfect Game.  It was filmed at his locker after the game.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2015 - Dodger Links - It's Corey Seager's World, We're Just Here to Witness It

Corey Seager had quite a first day in Dodger Blue.  He was awoken early Thursday morning to the news that he was coming to the show.  Then jumped on a plane later that day, certainly after spreading the news to family and friends, towards San Diego.  It was there that the real circus began.  Given uniform #5 to wear, Seager was immediately surrounded by throngs of teammates and reporters.  All of whom, no doubt, had questions galore.

(pic via @SportsNetLA on twitter)

They prodded.  He answered.  The cross-examination seemingly lasted forever.  When the dust settled he followed his routine and prepared for the game.  Corey Seager would come onto the field that evening to play his first Major League game as the starting shortstop, and "oh boy" did he impress.

(GIF via @MLBGIFS on twitter)

After whiffing in his first at-bat in the 2nd inning, Corey doubled off of Padres pitcher Colin Rhea for his first Major League hit (You can watch it above).  He would soon score the Dodgers first run of the game on a Joc Pederson single.  Then in the 6th inning he single to center to drive in two runs to give the Dodger the lead, 5-4. 

Unfortunately, the Dodger bullpen did as they are wont to do this season - they imploded into a magnificent mess.  They surrendered four runs in the 8th inning to sink the Dodgers like an anchor in San Diego Bay.  Via Beth Maiman and Jay Paris at MLB.com:

"The first hit, that was really cool,'' Seager said. "That was my first thought where I was like, 'Wow, I'm actually here.'"

Via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

“It was a lot of fun,” Seager said. “It would have been nice to get a win, but at the end of the day, I still had fun on my first day.”

Although we don't have a victory to accompany a fantastic start for the young phenom, we do get an opportunity to see it all again.  He'll start tonight's game at thirdbase - spelling Justin Turner in the lineup. 

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers on twitter.  Check out some great photo by Jon from yesterday here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Seager call-up overshadows major movement Down of the Farm."
• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Mattingly Frustrated Over Missed Call, Exchange With Umpire."

He [Conroy] said it wasn’t neighborhood [play], I guess. Actually, he told me he doesn’t believe in the neighborhood play. So, I guess he changed the rules tonight, and it’s something for the league to think about. I didn’t really realize he could actually change the rules during the game. Jim Joyce believed in it the other day against the Cubs. I’m just frustrated right now.”

• Via Aaron Gleeman at Hardball Talk, "Dodgers are already fed up with 6.56 ERA-pitching, excuse-making Mat Latos."  Mattingly has him on the short-leash, as they say.
• This sounds really cool.  Unfortunately, much of LA won't be able to watch it.  This coming Sunday, September 6th SporteNet LA will premier “Sports shrines of LA: Dodger stadium” at 5:00 PM.  It is part one of a six-part documentary series featuring six different sports facilities in LA.  This episode will feature the history and several unforgettable moments at Dodger Stadium.  Other venues include STAPLES Center, The Forum, LA Memorial Coliseum, the Rose Bowl and StubHub Center.  Per a press release I received:

“Sports Shrines of LA: Dodger Stadium” also will provide fans with unique insight into little-known facts about the venue – including stories never heard before – such as why Sandy Koufax almost never pitched a single game in Dodger Stadium, the most challenging renovation project of the stadium, and why baseball is just one part of the stadium’s allure.  In addition, the special touches upon the Dodgers’ brief residency at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which served as the Dodgers home for four seasons from 1958-1961. 

• This has been a terribly bad saga, and as a Kings fan it gives me much shame.  As you may know, defenseman Slava Voynov pled no contest to misdemeanor “corporal injury to a spouse" - basically he beat his wife - a couple of months ago, and has been in jail ever since.  Well, he just got out and was immediately taken in by ICE.  Via Josh Cooper at Puck Daddy, "Slava Voynov taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."  Maybe he'll get deported so that I don't have to go through the moral quandary of rooting for a team with a wife-beater on it. 
• In lighter Kings news, watch the Kings build the Staples Center ice surface here.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Ethier, Kershaw and Latos

Such young minds to mold.  Orel Hershiser poses with members of the Jr. Dodgers Broadcasters in the dugout at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  I'm not all that familiar with this youth program.  From what I understand, the Dodgers take several kids under their wing to mentor them on the fine art of sports reporting and broadcasting.  They do player interviews, report the news, and do play-by-play action of every 2015 regular season Sunday home game.

Sounds like fun, eh?  Who knows?  Maybe the heir apparent to Vin Scully is being molded as we speak.  Go here for more information about this program.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via David Adler and Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Dodgers sweep Angels on Ethier's 2 homers."

"It was the right time today to put us over the top," Ethier said. "There's not too many times in baseball where you get to take the last shot, and that was one of those opportunities."

• Via Anthony Witrado at ESPN.com, "Clayton Kershaw proves he's back in gear with return to action."

"He seemed a little bit rusty, honestly, early. Just command-wise," manager Don Mattingly said, blaming Kershaw's layoff. "It had been eight days since he pitched, but he got better as the game went on. His pitch count was up early, but he got it in line."
...
"It's crazy what two or three days off will do," Kershaw said. "I don't like days off, apparently. ... If I know they're coming I can deal with it, but this was a little bit different. Overall it worked out.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Mat Latos makes strong first impression with Dodgers."

"You don't see any fear in him at all," said manager Don Mattingly. "He's attacking guys, whether it's Trout or Pujols."

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Ellis set to be activated from DL on Tuesday."
• It's back!  Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Dodgers participate in Ice Bucket Challenge."

Friday, the Red Sox restarted the movement that went viral a year ago, and they challenged the Dodgers to follow suit. So Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez stepped up Saturday and were doused in ice.

Watch it here.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Institute for Baseball Studies receives Negro Leagues memorabilia donation."
• I'd like to extend a hearty Blue Heaven congratulations to former Dodgers Rafael Furcal.  Following on Fernando Valenzuela, Furcal became a US citizen last week, via a tweet from Yvonne Carrasco.

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Welcome to the Blue, Mat Latos & Michael Morse! - With UPDATES!

Impatient Dodger fans finally have a trade to vex over.  Rumors swirled all morning about a pending trade with the Marlins that adds a mid-rotation starter and a journeyman outfielder/first baseman for a handful of low level prospects.  As originally announced via twitter by Chicago Sun-Times Cubs reporter Gordon Wittenmyer:

Source: Latos, Morse to Dodgers for prospects. At least one competitive balance pick also to Dodgers. W/ Latos off board Haren still in play

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 29, 2015

This ain't a bad start, and I suspect (as has been rumored recently) that the Dodgers are not yet done.  They are said to still be interested in adding a top-line starter to the rotation, so a pitcher like Hamels or Price coming to LA might still be in the picture. 

As for this trade, Mat Latos provides a middle of the rotation arm for the stretch run.  Over the past couple of years he has dealt with numerous injuries; including a bone spur in his elbow and a tore cartilage in his left knee.  He is said to be 100% healthy now.  BTW, he will be a free agent at the end of this season, and is unlikely to be anything more than a rental player for the Dodgers.  Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors:

While he’s battled injuries and struggled early in the season, Latos has increased his velocity and upped his results since returning from a DL stint. All told, the 27-year-old Latos owns a 4.48 ERA with 8.0 K/9 against 2.5 BB/9 over 88 1/3 innings on the year. But ERA estimators view him more as a mid-3.00 ERA contributor, and that has shown up in his last seven starts, over which he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 45 2/3 frames with a 43:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

On a side note, Mat Latos has a cat named "Cat Latos."  I kid you not!

The addition of Morse is a bit puzzling.  He's an first baseman and outfielder, and goodness knows we've got plenty of that on the team already.  Not too long ago he was a fantastic slugger with the Nationals, but has struggled since leaving Washington due to injuries.  Morse had rebounded when he played for the Giants last year, but regressed in Miami this season.  His addition make me wonder if it sets a foundation for a trade that sends a Dodger outfielder out of town (or maybe he was the price for Latos without giving up a some good prospects).  On the other hand, maybe Morse's exploits with the Giants in last years World Series earns him a spot on the roster as a pinch-hitter.  I dunno.  What I do know is that he is in the first year of a two-year contract he signed with the Marlins over this past winter, and it appears the Dodgers will be on the hook for the remaining contract.  (See Update Below)

In celebration of Latos and Morse's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy cards for them.  I used a photo taken by Denis Bancroft/Marlins for Latos and a Miami Herald photo for Morse. The Cat Latos card used a photo grabbed from Deadspin.

Below are Latos' career stats, via Baseball-Reference:


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


UDPATE:  It appears that Michael Morse isn't coming to the Dodgers.  Rumors are swirling that another team (a third team) is in the mix, and Morse is expected to go there.  Per Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "Marlins Flip Mat Latos to Dodgers for -1 Prospect."

Don’t be thrown by the presence of Morse. While nothing’s impossible, he’s unlikely to ever suit up. His addition doesn’t have 25-man roster implications, as he’s probably going to be dumped right away. He’s in here because he’s a little expensive, through next season, and the Marlins hate signing paychecks. He’s this trade’s equivalent of Carlos Quentin in the Craig Kimbrel trade from April. Quentin was accepted by the Braves and immediately designated for assignment. Morse will probably land somewhere in the American League, or with the Phillies.

UPDATE II:  Uh-Oh!  This deal appears to be far from done.  Via a tweet from Miami Herald reporter Clark Spencer:

Now hearing the trade is far from complete. Sources telling me it could be falling apart. Total confusion. #marlins

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) July 29, 2015

What a mess.  I wonder what's holding things up.

UPDATE III:  The potential third team in the trade has been identified as the Braves, via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal:

Source: #Braves are third team in #Marlins-#Dodgers deal. Do not know further details.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2015

Regardless, the original Marlins-Dodger trade will happen anyway, via a tweet by Jon Heyman:

hear the marlins-dodgers swap is paperwork at this point and still likely to happen

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 30, 2015

UPDATE IV: WHAT IS GOING ON!!!  Word is now spreading that HEctor Olivera is going to the BRaves and the Dodgers might be getting a package of Alex Wood (starter), Jim Johnson (reliever) and Jose Peaza (2nd base prospect). Wha???!!!  Via a tweet from MLB Trade Rumors:

3-team deal (so far): ATL gets Olivera, MLB reliever, MiLB arm, Marlins comp pic; LAD gets Peraza, Wood, Avilan, Latos, Morse; MIA gets ?

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 30, 2015

UDPATE V:  Here's the official press release for the Marlins part of the trade:

 The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Mat Latos, infielder/outfielder Michael Morse and cash considerations from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Victor Araujo, Jeff Brigham and Kevin Guzman.

Latos, 27, has a 64-52 career record with a 3.43 ERA in 169 starts with the Padres (2009-2011), Reds, (2012-14) and Marlins (2015). During the course of his career, Latos has limited opponents to a .235 batting average and posted a 1.17 WHIP, while striking out more than three times as many as he’s walked with 938 Ks against only 308 walks in 1040.1 innings. Since making his big league debut with San Diego in 2009, Latos has posted a 2.67 ERA (92 ER/310.0) in 48 starts against NL West opponents, pitching well in every ballpark in the division: Dodger Stadium (3.34 ERA), AT&T Park (1.62 ERA), Chase Field (1.33 ERA), Coors Field (3.49 ERA) and PETCO Park (2.98 ERA). He was originally selected by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Broward (FL) Community College.

This year, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Latos has gone 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts with the Marlins, but regained his form with a 2.96 ERA (15 ER/45.2 IP) and a .198 opponents’ batting average in seven starts since returning from the disabled list on June 13 (left knee inflammation). In six starts against NL West opponents this season, Latos has a 3-1 record with a 3.05 ERA (13 ER/38.1 IP) and a 1.02 WHIP.

Morse, 33, has a .276 career batting average with 103 home runs and 345 RBI in 757 games over 11 big league seasons with the Mariners (2005-08, 2013), Nationals (2009-12), Orioles (2013), Giants (2014) and Marlins (2015). During the course of his career, Morse has played outfield (409 games, 385 starts), first base (209 G, 174 GS), shortstop (57 G, 50 GS) and third base (9 G, 2 GS) and, in 82 career pinch-hit appearances, he has hit .282 (20-for-71) with a home run and 16 RBI. He played a key role in the Giants’ 2014 World Series championship run and has a .282 batting average with two homers and seven RBI in 15 career postseason games. Morse was originally selected by the White Sox in the third round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft out of Nova High School in Davie, FL.

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