Blog Kiosk: 7/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Thank you, Fernando! Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s very special. It’s a great honor, because the Dodgers have the history of tremendous ballplayers for many years. To be part of this, it’s a great honor,” Valenzuela said. “When the Dodgers mentioned I was going to be in with these two great ballplayers … that means a lot. Steve Garvey, he was my first baseman when I came up as a rookie. He supported me. He helped me a lot for my first couple years. To now be part of the same group, to be selected for this honor, is tremendous.”

Photo abvoe via Jon SooHoo at Dodger Insider 2019. Go here to check out more pics from Saturday's ceremony. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 DodgerVision at Dodger Stadium relays a message to Mets outfielder Ron Swoboda during the game. It says, "Congratulations, Ron Swoboda. Your new son is born tomorrow morning". Cecilia Swoboda gave birth to Chipper, the couple's first child, at 1:05 a.m. EST, making it the next day on the West Coast. In 2005 Yhency Brazoban breaks Steve Howe's Dodger rookie record for saves when he works a perfect inning against the Mets to record his 18th save. He would finish with 21 saves during the season.
• Happy Birthday, Sheldon Lejeune, Elmer Knetzer, Lindsay Brown & Kevin Pasley!

Blog Kiosk: 12/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We really should be calling this team the 'Bridegrooms'.

Featured above is a pre-wedding pic shared by the gushing couple before their planned wedding next week. As you may know, Ryu Hyun-jin is marrying sports broadcaster Bae Ji-hyun on January 5th.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers traded for 6' 5" tall reliever Pat Zachry in exchange for utilityman Jorge Orta. In 1993 the Dodgers traded pitcher Isidro Márquez for utilityman Ron Coomer of the White Sox.
• Happy Birthday, Einar Díaz, Don Thompson & Austin Barnes! I'd also like to extend a special birthday shout-out to Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

Another Dodger Trade - Welcome to the Blue, Chris Heisey!

Last Night the Dodgers pulled off another minor trade - bringing in some depth to the roster.  Although, it is a bit curious that we brought in another outfielder when we seemingly have a logjam out there.  Strike that, this is puzzling.  From the Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the acquisition of outfielder Chris Heisey from Cincinnati in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Magill. Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman made the announcement.

Heisey (pronounced HI-zee), who will turn 30 on Dec. 14, appeared in 119 games at all three outfield positions for the Reds in 2014, his fifth Major League season. He excelled in his 47 pinch-hit appearances, batting .273 (12-for-44) and leading qualifying NL pinch-hitters with four home runs and a .659 slugging percentage.

The Pennsylvania native has a .247 career batting average in 543 games, including a .283 average and a .587 slugging percentage in 155 pinch-hit appearances. During the course of his career, Heisey, who has not committed an error since 2012, has appeared in 311 games in left field, 93 games in center field and 70 games in right field, while ranking sixth among NL outfielders (min. 300 games) with a .908 zone rating since 2010. He was originally selected by the Reds in the 17th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Messiah College in Pennsylvania.

So, Heisey is a good glove outfielder with a below average bat.  He does, on the other hand, appear to excel at the plate when asked to come in as a pinch-hitter - which Dodger fans should know is a skill in itself (i.e. Manny Mota, Jose Morales, Olmedo Saenz, etc.).

Still, his addition has to indicate that a subtraction in the outfield is forthcoming.  Doesn't it?  Why add a reserve outfielder when we have more than enough Major League guys to do that.  I think this trade is setting us up for another trade meant to address the outfield situation.  Who will be going?  I dunno, but I look forward to seeing what they cook up.

Here's what Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi had to say in a report by Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“One thing I’ll say is, you look at the landscape of baseball as a whole, and one of the things that’s really scarce is offense — and we’re fortunate to have a surplus of really good offensive outfielders,” said Zaidi. “So obviously there’s going to be some demand and some interest in those outfielders.”

In the meantime, Zaidi noted that the Dodgers are trying to improve their depth in all areas, taking note of, yes, team chemistry in the process. Heisey’s skill set appealed to the new administration, but so did his approach.

“We’re not trying just to put together a collection of individuals,” Zaidi said. “We believe in putting together a team … a team that’s all pulling in the same direction.”

Addressing what Zaidi intimates above, check out this video of Heisey talking about how he lives his life.

Video Link:

On a side note, I am saddened to see Matt Magill go elsewhere.  Although he never was going to be a frontline starter for the team, I thought he could work out well at the back of the rotation.  He had struggled recently with his control and needed to gain command on another pitch, so maybe his development is better served elsewhere.  No doubt, I'll be rooting for him to succeed in his future travels.

In celebration of Heisey's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photograph grabbed from a photo from Zimbio (Rich Pilling/Getty Images North America) and the 1971 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are the career stats for Chris Heisey, via Baseball-Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 10/13/2014 - Dodger Links - Fans to Vote for Minor League Awards that Includes Several Dodger Farmhands

Both Dodger prospects Joc Pederson and Corey Seager are on the 2014 MiLBY's ballot for the top offensive player in the Minor Leagues.  Go here to vote on your favorites.  The MiLBY's recognize the best teams, players, plays, promotions and more from across Minor League Baseball.   The pic above via @Dodgers on twitter (Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014).

BTW, Dodger/Chattanooga Lookouts hurler Andres Santiago is also up for Best Performance of the Year for his near-perfect game no-hitter.  Joc Pederson is also up for Top Home Run of the Year for a monstrous dinger he hit in May against Salt Lake City, and Erisbel Arruebarrena has the unfortunately distinction of being a candidate for the Best Blooper - which I don't really consider a blooper.  Arruebarrena started a bench-clearing brawl against Reno that resulted in some emotional ejections.  My thought is that if that's considered a blooper then certainly the Alex Guerrero having his ear bit off is one too, but that incident is not being considered.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "The prime directive: Get younger."

The difficult task of slowing the aging process – on the roster, not in the human body – was a major topic of discussion in the team’s first day of organizational meetings, said manager Don Mattingly.

“You see certain teams and, all of a sudden, you’re old,” Mattingly said. “In baseball, it’s tough to say that because you see 32, 33 in baseball and all of a sudden, that’s old again. It always has been besides one little 10-year or 12-year period when it didn’t seem to matter. Just as an organization, I think it’s something you pay attention to. It’s what ownership and [president] Stan Kasten talked about from the beginning. 

• Via Eric Stephen on True Blue LA, "Don Mattingly high on Joc Pederson, but preaches patience."

But Mattingly preached caution when asked if Pederson, who turns 23 in April, was ready for an every day position.

"That always remains to be seen. The one thing I don't like doing, because I've seen it backfire, is just anointing somebody. It's not fair. They don’t get to be a kid. They don’t get to be a rookie," Mattingly explained. "They walk in with this expectation and it’s just not fair because there’s going to be mistakes, there’s going to be struggles, for everyone. But I think he can play in the big leagues, that’s for sure."

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Matt Magill finds positives in Arizona Fall League."

“It was frustrating because I knew I could pitch better than I was. But I know every pitcher goes through some hardships in their career. I’m just glad the Dodgers saw enough of me to put me in the fall league.”

• Via Nathan Fenno at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Yasiel Puig seeks dismissal of Cuban man's $12-million suit."
• Chris Olds at Beckett shares some preview pics from Topps 2015 Opening Day set; including the Yasiel Puig card on the right.
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "You Just Watched The Best-Hitting Outfield In Los Angeles Dodgers History."

All of which is to say: Wow, what a mess. But that’s missing the point, somewhat, because this was a good mess. In fact, this was the best-hitting Dodger outfield in Los Angeles history. Really! In the 57 seasons since the team moved from Brooklyn, no outfield group has had a better wRC+ than this year’s 129.

• Via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors, "Diamondbacks Hire Chip Hale As Manager."

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Here are July's Dodger Pride Award Winners - Minor League Players of the Month for July

The Dodgers just announced their July Dodger Pride Award Winners.  This award celebrates the franchises best performers in the Minor Leagues for the month of July.  

Check them out below.

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Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitcher - RHP Matt Magill posted a 3-2 record with a 4.63 ERA (6 ER/11.2 IP), striking out 10 batters against four walks in nine July appearances. The right-hander held opposing batters to a .227 batting average (10-for-45), while not allowing a home run in the month. The 24-year-old Simi Valley native is in his seventh professional season with the Dodgers after being selected by the club in the 31^st round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)

Player - 1B Brock Peterson batted .379 (36-for-95) in 27 July games for the Isotopes. During the month, Peterson ranked among Pacific Coast League leaders in doubles (10, 4^th), batting average (.379, 5^th), hits (36, T-8^th), RBI (22, T-8^th), on-base percentage (.454, 3^rd) and recorded 11 multi-hit games. Peterson was acquired by the Dodgers on July 1 from Washington for cash considerations. The Washington State native was originally drafted by the Twins in the 49^th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

(pic via MiLB)

Pitcher - LHP Jarret Martin posted a 3.57 ERA (7 ER/17.2 IP), fanning 17 batters against eight walks in 11 July appearances. The Bakersfield native did not allow a home run in the month, while holding the opposition to a .190 batting average (12-for-63). On the season, the left-hander has posted a 1-1 record with a 3.40 ERA (18 ER/47.2 IP) in 39 relief appearances and also has four saves. Martin was originally acquired by the Dodgers in a three-player trade with Baltimore on Dec. 8, 2011.

(pic via MiLB)

Player - 1B O'Koyea Dickson posted a .326 batting average (30-for-92) with a .398 on-base percentage in 26 July games to earn the Dodger Pride Award for Chattanooga. During the month of July, Dickson led the team in doubles (9), hits (30), home runs (4), and RBI (16), while earning Southern League Player of the Week honors for the period ending July 28. The Bay Area native went to school at Sonoma State University and was a 12^th-round selection by the Dodgers in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Player - RHP Lindsey Caughel went 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA (8 ER/32.0 IP) and 32 strikeouts in four July starts (five games). The 23-year-old had opened the month with consecutive starts without allowing an earned run, totaling 13.0 innings with 15 strikeouts. On the year, Caughel is limiting opponents to a .172 (15-for-87) clip with runners in scoring position. Caughel was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 23^rd round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)

Player - OF Jeremy Rathjen batted .363 (37-for-102) in 26 July games, while leading the team in runs (20), doubles (9), home runs (6) and RBI (20). The Houston, Texas native recorded his first multi-homer game of the year on July 24 with a season-high five RBI and on the year, he is hitting .283 (71-for-251) with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 68 games for the Quakes. The 24-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 11^th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

(pic via MiLB)

Player - RHP Jacob Rhame went 1-0 without allowing a run in 12 July appearances (18.1 IP) to go along with one save. Rhame limited opposing hitters to a .086 average (5-for-58) with 27 strikeouts against five walks. On July 19 against Kane County, Rhame struck out five of the six batters he faced in his two perfect frames. On the season, Rhame is 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA (14 ER/53.1 IP) in 40 relief appearances and has also notched four saves. The 21-year-old was a sixth-round selection of the Dodgers in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)

Player - INF Paul Hoenecke powered three home runs and plated 16 runs in 26 games in July for the Loons. The 6-2, 205-pounder had his most productive game of the season on July 20, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in a Great Lakes 9-5 victory over Kane County. On the season, the 24-year-old is batting .253 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. The Wisconsin native, who attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, was selected in the 24^th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Rookie-level Ogden Raptors

(pic via MiLB)

Pitcher - RHP Jose DeLeon posted a 3-0 record with a 1.38 ERA (4 ER/26.0 IP) in his five July appearances for the Raptors, leading the Pioneer League in wins, ERA, strikeouts (35), opponents' batting average (.189) and WHIP (1.08). The Puerto Rico native struck out at least seven in four of his five appearances in the month. Overall, DeLeon is 4-0 with a 3.04 ERA (16 ER/ 47.1 IP) in seven starts and two relief appearances. He has been dominant against right-handed batters, limiting opponents to a .194 batting average (21-for-108). The 21-year-old was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24^th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)

Player - C Julian Leon batted .370 (34-for-92) with five homers, a triple, eight doubles and 23 RBI in 24 games in July, while stringing together a 12-game hitting streak (July 14-31) and recording a trio of three-RBI games. He ranked among Pioneer League leaders with a .627 slugging percentage (6^th) in July. On the season, the Mexico native is performing well in clutch situations, hitting .400 (2-for-5) when the bases are loaded and .375 (18-for-48) with runners in scoring position. The 18-year-old was signed by Los Angeles as a non-drafted free agent on July 10, 2012.

Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers

Pitcher- RHP Kevin Guzman went 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA (6 ER/25.0 IP) in five starts in July for the Arizona League Dodgers. The Venezuela native limited opposing batters to a .217 batting average (20-for-92) with 22 strikeouts, while allowing only three walks in the month. In his last start during the month of July, he allowed only one hit and one unearned run in 6.0 innings, while striking out four and issuing only one walk against the AZL Reds. On the season, Guzman is 1-1 in seven starts with a 4.02 ERA (14 ER/31.1 IP) and has three starts without allowing an earned run. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on May 29, 2013.

Player- OF Alex Verdugo batted .324 (24-for-74) with six doubles, a home run and 11 RBI in 21 games during the month of July, leading the team in hits (24), batting average (.324) and walks (12) in the month. The 18-year-old is batting .305 (32-for-105) with nine doubles, two homers and 18 RBI in 29 games this season for the AZL Dodgers. He currently leads the team in hits (32), doubles (9), RBI (18) and runs (18). The Tucson, Arizona native was selected by the Dodgers in the second round of June's First-Year Player Draft.

Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers

Pitcher- RHP Hector Rodriguez went 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA (3 ER/31.0 IP) in six starts in July, while limiting opposing batters to a .159 batting average (17-for-107) and striking out 20. On July 24, he threw 6.0 hitless and scoreless innings while striking out five. Rodriguez shined in his last three July starts, recording consecutive wins and limiting batters to a .111 batting average (6-for-54) during that time. Overall, the Venezuela native is 4-3 on the season with a 1.63 ERA (10 ER/55.1 IP) in 11 games and has limited batters to a .173 batting average (34-for-197), which is the fifth lowest in the Dominican Summer League. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on December 6, 2012.

Player- OF Johan Mieses batted .378 (28-for-74) with four home runs, a triple, four doubles and 11 RBI in July. The Dominican Republic native led the DSL Dodgers in batting average, homers and stolen bases (12) during the month. On the season, he is batting .300 (48-for-160) and leads the team in home runs (5), triples (7), doubles (10), RBI (21) and stolen bases (23). Mieses is clutch when runners are in scoring position with two outs, batting .348 (8-for-23) with two triples, two doubles and six RBI this season. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on May 31, 2013.

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Adding a Couple 2013 Supreme Matt Magill Cards

I've had the 2013 Topps Supreme Baseball card set on the mind lately, and have found myself collecting them at a furious pace.  A couple of weeks ago, I shared a couple of Johnny Podres cards that I recently added to my collection.  Now, I show you some Matt Magill's.

Featured here are the two different Supreme Stylings Magill cards - one of which is a "1 of 1" parallel card.

He is only 24 years old and is pitching in his second season at AAA.  Magill had a couple of very good starts for the Dodgers last season, but was unable to show any consistency.  During his last two starts wit the Dodgers he gave up a total of 14 runs - 5 of the unearned.  I still have high hopes that Magill will develop into a viable bottom-of-the-rotation starter.  Unfortunately, his 2014 season has been rocky in Albuquerque.  He has a 4.94 ERA in 5 starts so far, a WHIP of 1.479 and has seen his strike out numbers dwindle.

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2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball - The Dodger Autographs and Relics

Following up on yesterdays post featuring the Dodger base cards from the 2014 Gypsy Queen set, I now share the Dodger autograph and relic cards.  Check them out below.  See my previous post on this set here.

Autographed Cards

#GQA-MMA Matt Magill                     #GQA-RN Ricky Nolasco

Around the Horn Autographed Pop Up Book Card

#ATH-SK Sandy Koufax

The below pic shows the "pop-up" part of the card.

Relic Cards

#GQR-ZG Zack Greinke

Jumbo Patch Relics

#GJR-CK Clayton Kershaw

#GJR-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu

#GJR-YP Yasiel Puig

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Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Recent Dodger Roster Moves

We see you, Hanley... Even in cardboard form.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com shares, "A Q&A on Australian baseball with ex-Dodger Craig Shipley".
• As you may know, 2014 Topps Heritage Baseball cards have been delayed for a week.  It officially comes out on the 14th.  At right is an early peek at the Puig card, via @Toppscards on twitter.
• The Dodgers made some more roster moves last night.  They have optioned RHP Matt Magill and reassigned JC Boscan, Carlos Frias, Brendan Harris and Clint Robinson.
• Redditor snapetom shared a whole bunch of photos from Camelback Ranch on imgur.  Go here to check them out.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Howell's wife completes feat 14 years in the making".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Brian Wilson, Brandon League & varying concern".

On Wilson: "The reason I ended up going out there was because Rick [Honeycutt, pitching coach] said he saw something. As Greg is talking to him, he said he's not hurting anywhere. He did say he warmed up a long time that inning," Mattingly said. "He sounds fine."
On League: "Obviously we're not happy with the results. Brandon's not happy with the results," Mattingly said. "We continue on, we're glad it's spring training. He's getting work, and you've got to continue to get better and get the ball where you want to get it. His velocities are up, pretty much where we expect him to be."

• GCRL shares a in-the-mail autograph success story featuring former Dodger hurler Ricky Nolasco.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 8/Away 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 (2-4-1) at Cincinnati Reds (3-4)
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – 7:05 p.m. | Goodyear
LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Homer Bailey (0-1, 9.00)
Spring Game 8/Away Game 4
Television: SNLA/Radio: KLAC

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(Blue Prints Photo Booth, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

UNDER THE LIGHTS: The Dodgers travel to Goodyear to take on the Reds this evening for the first of two games this spring, with the clubs meeting again a week from tomorrow at Camelback Ranch. Los Angeles currently holds a 1,108-1,089-13 all-time advantage against the Reds, falling in the 2013 season series, 3-4.

• Seven minor leaguers will dress for the club today: LHP Fu-Te Ni (#86), IF Darnell Sweeney (#87), IF Daniel Mayora (#88), OF Jon Garcia (#89), OF Jeremy Hazelbaker (#90), IF Aaron Bates (#95) and 2013 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year OF Scott Schebler (#91)
• The Dodgers will touch down in Sydney in less than two weeks for MLB’s Opening Series against the D-backs and are just 17 days away from Opening Day in Australia!

KING OF THE HILL: Left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the mound tonight for the second time this spring after starting Friday against the White Sox, when he fired 2.0 scoreless innings, while allowing two hits. In 2013, the Korean-born pitcher turned in an impressive first Major League season, going 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 30 starts, while ranking among the Dodger team leaders in wins (3rd), complete games (2, 2nd), innings (192.0, 2nd), strikeouts (154, 2nd) and starts (2nd). Ryu started last season on a roll with six consecutive quality starts from April 2-30 and made 22 quality starts overall.

• Right-hander Jose Dominguez will appear in his third game of the spring tonight after firing scoreless innings in his first two outings. In nine appearances for the Dodgers in 2013, the Dominican native posted a 2.16 ERA (2 ER/8.1 IP) with three walks and four strikeouts.
• Scheduled to make his third 2014 Cactus League appearance tonight is righty Javy Guerra, who has two scoreless outings under his belt (2.0 IP). Last season, the reliever spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Albuquerque and allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 10.2 innings in nine appearances during his only stint with Los Angeles from April 30-May 30.
• Right-handed pitcher Matt Magill is scheduled to pitch in tonight’s game after pitching scoreless ball in his only appearance of the spring on Friday against the White Sox. Magill saw his first big league action in 2013, going 0-2 with a 6.51 ERA (20 ER/27.2 IP) in six starts during three stints with the Dodgers.
• After walking two and striking out two in a scoreless inning of his first Cactus League appearance on Sunday at the Brewers, southpaw Paco Rodriguez will make his second appearance this evening. In 2013, Rodriguez ranked among the NL’s best relievers in ERA (2.32, 12th), opponents’ batting average .164 (3rd) and WHIP (0.90, 6th) in his first full Major League season.
• Non-roster invitee Carlos Frias will also take the mound tonight after allowing one run in his first outing (1.0 IP) on Thursday vs. the D-backs.

(Uribe and Puig - Friends Forever, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY: Yesterday, the Dodgers fell to Seattle, 4-1, in their Cactus League matinee at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The club’s lone run came off the bat of minor league outfielder Trayvon Robinson, who stroked an eighth-inning leadoff home run against his former team. On the mound, right-handed relievers Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen tossed perfect frames in the first and second innings, respectively, while RHP Chris Perez (1.0 IP), RHP Chris Withrow (2.0 IP) and RHP Red Patterson (2.0 IP) also pitched scoreless relief.

GET WELL SOON: Non-roster invitee Ross Stripling, who enters 2014 rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers’ No. 10 prospect, underwent surgery this morning in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The surgery was an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies from an inflamed and swollen elbow. The plan is to allow the inflammation to resolve and restore range of motion before proceeding with Tommy John reconstruction surgery. Stripling, 24, went 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 27 games between Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga in 2013.

I underwent a scope to clean out my right elbow but was too swollen to continue. I will have TJ when swelling subsides, roughly 2 weeks
— Ross Stripling (@RossStripling) March 5, 2014

CONGRATS!: This evening, Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten will be presented with the 2013 Sports Executive of the Year Award by the L.A. Sports Council at the 9th Annual LA Sports Awards at the Beverly Hilton. The ceremony will be televised on Prime Ticket at a later date.

(Dee flips to Miguel, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgerrs 2014)

I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE: Today, on Field 6 of Camelback Ranch - Glendale, a team of Dodger minor leaguers played an exhibition game against Team France, managed by former Dodger closer and 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, in the first of a five-game Cactus League tour. This is the second time Team France has played against MLB clubs, last facing the Pirates and Blue Jays in October 2013.

• Gagne, a three-time All-Star, played for Los Angeles from 1999-2006 and racked up 187 saves over his 10-year big league career with the Dodgers, Rangers (2007), Red Sox (2007) and Brewers (2008). The right-handed flamethrower holds the franchise record for saves in a season with 55 in 2003, the year he won the NL Cy Young Award.

#GameOver: pic.twitter.com/3xSRTfgIcE
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 5, 2014

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Expanded instant replay with manager challenges made its debut at three Spring Training games on Monday, but Don Mattingly and the Dodgers will get their first taste of the new system tomorrow against the Angels in Tempe. Los Angeles has a total of five Cactus League games where replay will be used; March 11 at Kansas City, March 12 vs. Arizona, March 15 vs. Chicago-AL and March 16 vs. Colorado, and the system will be in place for all three Freeway Series games against the Angels.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 3 / Home Game 2

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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Chicago White Sox (0-0) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-1)
Friday, February 28, 2014 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch- Glendale
LHP Chris Sale vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
Spring Game 3/Home Game 2

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

(Maury Wills, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

HEY, NEIGHBOR!: The Dodgers and White Sox square off this afternoon in the first of two Cactus League meetings this spring with the other coming in a split-squad meeting on March 15. Although the Dodgers played their first home game of the spring yesterday against the Diamondbacks, today will mark the official “Opening Day,” with both teams lining up down the baseline for player introductions. The contest today also marks the start of Spring Training play for the White Sox.

• The Dodgers picked up their first victory of the spring yesterday in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Diamondbacks. Third baseman Juan Uribe hit the Dodgers’ first home run of the spring and non-roster invitee Brendan Harris drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the seventh inning.
• Right-handed starter Zack Greinke lasted just four pitches before he was pulled with a mild right calf strain, but five Dodger relievers came to the rescue, combining to hold the Diamondbacks scoreless over the last 6.1 innings of play.

(Juan Uribe slugs home run, pic via Jon SooHoo/La Dodgers 2014)

KOREAN SENSATION: Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the mound today for the first time in Cactus League play after finishing his rookie season in Dodger blue with a 14-8 record and a 3.00 ERA in 2013. In his first season in the Major Leagues, Ryu was named to Baseball America’s 2013 All-Rookie Team and ranked among the top big league rookies in wins (14, T-2nd), ERA (3.00, 2nd) and strikeouts (154, 4th). The South Korean native’s 14 wins were tied for second-most by a Dodger rookie behind only Rick Sutcliffe’s 17 wins in 1979. Also appearing in the game today:

• RHP Brian Wilson enters his second season with the Dodgers after posting a 2-1 record with a 0.66 ERA in his first year in Dodger blue.
• Dodger closer Kenley Jansen will make his first appearance of the spring after finishing 2013 with a career-high in saves (28) and strikeouts (111). Jansen’s 111 strikeouts on the season were ranked second among Major League relievers.
• LHP J.P. Howell will make his first appearance of the spring after limiting opponents to a .193 batting average in 67 games last season.
• RHP Chris Perez will see his first action in Dodger blue after spending the 2013 campaign with Cleveland. Perez, 28, converted 123 saves over four seasons for the Indians from 2010-2013.
• Simi Valley native Matt Magill will make his 2013 Cactus League debut after seeing his first Major League action with the Dodgers in 2013.

(Hanley signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

THE GANG IS ALL HERE: Dodger partner AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles is going mobile today as the “Petros and Money” show will air live from McFadden’s at Westgate in Glendale, AZ. Expected to join the dynamic duo at the restaurant will be Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti and Dodger reliever J.P. Howell. For the game broadcast on AM 570, new Dodger broadcaster and six-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra makes his radio debut this afternoon. Break a leg, Nomar!  

MAKIN’ LEFT TURNS: Later today, Hall of Fame announcer Jaime Jarrín will serve as the Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale. This will be the second year for the event and Dodger broadcaster Pepe Yñiguez will serve as the race’s Honorary Starter. The Toyota 120 opens the 2014 NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series championship season and is scheduled for a 7 p.m. MT start time today. The race will be telecast nationally in the United States on the mun2 cable network, live-streamed at DeportesTelemundo.com and south-of-the-border coverage will be provided by FOX Sports Latin America. For more information on this race visit www.phoenixraceway.com.

THE DODGERS IN SPAIN: “Baseball Tournament of Valencia Sponsored by the Dodgers” is a groundbreaking four-day tournament currently taking place in Valencia, Spain, comprised of the Baseball Federations of Spain, France, Germany and Italy. The tournament started yesterday and runs through March 2. The top U-19 players from all four countries will play in front of scouts from more than a dozen Major League teams and yesterday in Valencia, Germany defeated Spain, 6-5, in the first game and Italy defeated France, 4-3, in the second. The first pitch before tomorrow’s game will be thrown out by former Cuban star and Spanish Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Sabin.

IT’S YOUR LUCKY DAY: The Dodgers’ annual open tryout was held yesterday on the minor league side of Camelback Ranch – Glendale. As in past years, the Dodgers signed two players from the tryout, as the club inked right-handed pitcher Danny Keller and right-handed reliever Steven Edlefsen to minor league deals. Edlefsen pitched in San Francisco’s system for seven seasons (2007-2013) and made 27 relief appearances in the big leagues from 2011-12, posting an 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA. The Minnesota native was originally selected by San Francisco in the 16th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Keller was in the Milwaukee system from 2011-13.

(Scott Van Slyke's diving catch, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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2014 Topps Turkey Red Baseball - All the Dodgers' Cards

Last week, Topps released their newest Baseball card set.  It is called 2014 Turkey Red, and it was an internet only offering -  meaning, you could only purchase packs/boxes directly from Topps, via their website.  Each box cost $19.99 and you received 10 cards, plus an autographed card.

There are 7 Dodger players in the 100-card base set, and just 2 Dodger autographed cards available.  Check them all out below.

For those who do not know, Turkey Red is in reference to a early-20th Century card set popular with vintage collectors.  The original cards are commonly known as T-3, and are the size of your typical cabinet card from the era (roughly 5 3/8" x 8").  They were lithograph cards with bright color backgrounds.  A group of boxing cards are also available, and are known as T-9's.  I do not have any of the vintage Baseball T-3's in my collection, but I do have a handful of Boxing T-9's.

#31 Clayton Kershaw

#72 Zack Greinke                                 #73 Hyun-Jin Ryu

#74 Hanley Ramirez                                    #75 Matt Kemp

#76 Yasiel Puig

#100 Adrian Gonzalez

Autographs

#TRA-3 Onelki Garcia #/699

#TRA-4 Matt Magill #/499

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