Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 33 / Road Game 18

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.

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

Los Angeles Dodgers (16-9-7) at L.A. Angels (13-14-1)
Thursday, April 2, 2015 – 7:05 p.m. PT | Angel Stadium

BULLPEN GAME (TBD) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-2, 5.21)
TV: SNLA Radio: AM 570

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

(Clayton Kershaw, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SO CAL SPECIAL: The Dodgers return to Southern California tonight with the first of three exhibition games against the Angels, before the season begins on Monday, April 6, against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. Tomorrow night, the squads will be back at Angel Stadium and then close out the Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium Saturday at 6:10 p.m.  The clubs will face off six times during the regular season, July 31-Aug. 2 at Dodger Stadium and Sept. 7-9 at Angel Stadium.

• Last year, the Dodgers won the season series between the clubs, 3-1, their first victory in the season series since 2006 (4-2).
• In anticipation of the Freeway Series, the clubs partnered on a billboard in Hollywood to celebrate the 2014 Most Valuable Player Awards of Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout, with the script “Is Your MVP Red Or Blue.” Fans are encouraged to show their support by utilizing the hashtags #MVPKersh and #MVPTrout.
• On this date in 1962, the Dodgers and Angels played their first-ever game against each other with the Halos coming out on top, 6-5.
• Los Angeles has the National League’s top winning percentage this spring at .640 (16-9-7) and has established a new franchise record with seven ties.
• The Dodgers will have a bullpen game tonight with the starter still undecided. Those expected to see action include Mike Adams and Sergio Santos.
• Opening Day is just FOUR days away!

PADDING THE RECORD: The Dodgers allowed two runs to the Royals in the bottom of the ninth yesterday and ended up in a record-setting seventh tie this spring, 4-4. The contest in Surprise was the club’s last Cactus League game in Arizona and the final tuneup for NL MVP Clayton Kershaw, who allowed one unearned run in 3.0 innings. Kershaw posted a 1.61 ERA this spring, picking up right where he left off in the 2014 campaign, when he produced the lowest ERA (1.77) since Pedro Martinez’s 1.74 in 2000. Following Kershaw to the mound was Zach Lee, who allowed three runs in 5.1 innings and finished the spring with a 2.89 ERA. At he plate, Darwin Barney went 2-for-2 with a run scored, A.J. Ellis doubled and drove in a run and minor leaguer Travis Witherspoon went 2-for-2 with a home run.

(Darwin Barney, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

A PLEASANT GOOD AFTERNOON: The Dodgers and the Los Angeles Police Department are spreading the word that fans should not park on the Avenue of the Palms (Stadium Way) between Scott Road and Academy Road. This street will have a “No Parking” restriction from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Opening Day, April 6. In addition, in order to keep all attendees safe, LAPD officers will be patrolling the area and will enact a zero tolerance policy for drinking in public or in the parks. Tailgating is not permitted on the Dodger Stadium premises. The Dodgers and the LAPD wish everyone a safe and fun-filled day of baseball, and ask fans to respect the neighborhood and stay safe.  I had previously written about some of the specific restrictions being put into place here.  Many of the neighborhood streets in the Echo Park and Solano Canyon area will have 2-hour parking restrictions.

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

FOLLOW THE CACTUS LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League lead-tying 47 home runs (the Cubs also have 47) and have a .286 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .488 slugging percentage (1st, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.368, 5th), slugging percentage (.754, 1st), hits (21, T-8th), runs (13, T-3rd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, T-2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games and is batting .477 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .818 slugging percentage in 18 Cactus League games.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-4th) while Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-4th) and runs scored (12, T-7th).

THE BIG 7-0: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Hall of Famer Don Sutton, who turns 70 years old today. Joining Sutton in celebrating his birthday is legendary Dodger slugger Reggie Smith, who also turns 70. Happy Birthday guys!

(Jackie Robinson, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Joe Wieland, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 31 / Home Game 15

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.

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

Chicago White Sox (9-15-3) at Los Angeles Dodgers (16-8-6)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

LHP Carlos Rodon (1-0, 3.65) vs. RHP Joe Wieland (0-0, 1.00)
TV: SNLA

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

(Autograph seekers, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

THANK YOU, ARIZONA: The Dodgers finish their home portion of the spring schedule today, officially saying goodbye to their seventh season at Camelback Ranch. So far this spring, Los Angeles is 7-4-3 at home, and 140,925 fans have come through the gates this March. The Dodgers sold out their games on March 13, 14, 19 and 27 and want to thank baseball fans in Arizona and Dodger fans across the country. For the Camelback finale, the Dodgers, who have the National League’s best spring winning percentage at .667, will take on the Chicago White Sox for the fourth and final time this spring. Los Angeles has taken two of three from Chicago thus far, losing the Cactus League opener, 6-4, before coming back to win on March 5 and March 26. Just a friendly reminder, Opening Day at Dodger Stadium against the San Diego Padres is in just six days.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER WIN: The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale yesterday, 4-2, behind a strong start from left-hander Brett Anderson. Anderson moved to 2-0 in the Cactus League, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings and giving up just four hits while striking out two. The native of Texas walked one and lowered his ERA to 2.13 this spring. As of now, Anderson is slated to start his first game during the regular season on April 10 in Arizona. At the plate, Adrian Gonzalez, Kiké Hernandez, Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis produced run-scoring hits.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Today, the Dodgers acquired minor league utilityman Elliot Johnson from the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. Johnson appeared in seven games for the Indians last season and spent most of the season at Triple-A Columbus, hitting .236 with five homers in 87 games. In addition, the club signed right-hander Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal. Garcia pitched last season in Taiwan.  

DONNIE DODGER BASEBALL: On this date in 2011, Don Mattingly recorded his first victory as a Dodger manager, a 2-1 victory over the Giants. That game was also the first-career Opening Day start for Clayton Kershaw, who is set to make his fifth consecutive Opening Day start on April 6 vs. San Diego. Mattingly has a career record of 354-293 and his .547 winning percentage ranks fifth in franchise history among managers with at least 250 games at the helm, trailing just Charlie Dressen (.642), Burt Shotton (.603), Leo Durocher (.567) and Walter Alston (.559).

FOLLOW THE CACTUS LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League-leading 45 home runs (four more than the Cubs’ 41) and have a .288 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .490 slugging percentage (2nd, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.368, 7th), slugging percentage (.754, 3rd), hits (21, T-2nd), runs (13, T-2nd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, T-2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games and is batting .465 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .489 on-base percentage and a .814 slugging percentage in 17 Cactus League games. Turner’s 20 hits this spring tie for fifth-most in the NL and his 35 total bases rank eighth.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-4th) and RBI (13, T-7th); Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-4th) and runs scored (12, T-5th).

ON THE MOUND: RHP Joe Wieland, sporting a 1.00 ERA (1 ER/9.0 IP) in four Cactus League games, will make his first start this spring today. Wieland was optioned to the minor leagues on March 16 and figures to start the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Nevada native was acquired from the Padres in the Matt Kemp deal and is 35-22 with a 3.27 ERA in 95 games (87 starts) during seven minor league seasons with the Rangers and Padres’ organizations.

• RHP David Aardsma will see action for the ninth time this spring. The veteran reliever has held opposing hitters to a .143 batting average, while striking out nine through 8.0 innings of work.
• RHP Juan Nicasio is expected to make his eighth appearance, including one start, of the spring this afternoon. Nicasio, who was acquired from Colorado on Nov. 24, 2014, has 11 strikeouts and just two walks in 11.1 innings this spring and has a 2.18 career strikeout-to-walk ratio in four big league seasons (294 SO/135 BB).
• RHP Sergio Santos has tossed scoreless relief in five of eight appearances this spring, while striking out 10 in 7.2 innings. He last pitched in a big league game on Sunday against the Giants, allowing two runs in 0.2 innings of relief.
• RHP Yimi Garcia will make his ninth Cactus League appearance today. Garcia allowed his first run of the spring in his last start on Friday against the Giants.

(Joe Wieland, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 30 / 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.

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

Los Angeles Dodgers (15-8-6) at Arizona Diamondbacks (14-13-2)
Monday, March 30, 2015 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Salt River Fields

LHP Brett Anderson (1-0, 4.05) vs. RHP Allen Webster (0-1, 8.18)
TV: SNLA

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

(Mota, Rollins & Kendricks, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARD: The Dodgers, who have the National League’s best spring winning percentage at .652, will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second and final time this spring this afternoon. Last year, the Dodgers dominated the Snakes, winning 15 of 19 games, including two in Sydney, Australia, and eight of 10 in Phoenix. This season, the clubs will square off during the campaign’s first month as the Dodgers travel to Chase Field for their first road trip, April 10-12. Arizona’s first visit to Dodger Stadium will come the next time the squads play, from May 1-3.

NOT HALF BAD: The Dodgers split a pair of contests yesterday in their final split squad of the Cactus League campaign. At Camelback Ranch, Los Angeles downed the Rangers, 10-5, behind three hits, three RBI and a homer from Buck Britton, and finished the spring season 3-0-1 against Texas. Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick and Scott Van Slyke had two hits apiece for the Dodgers who collected 15 on the afternoon in support of starter Brandon McCarthy, who gave up three runs in 5.2 innings. 

• Over in Scottsdale, the “other” Dodgers lost to the Giants, 11-9. In that contest, Joc Pederson went 2-for-3 and belted his sixth Cactus League homer while Yasiel Puig went 2-for-3 with a double, run and RBI. Catcher Yasmani Grandal was 2-for-4 with two doubles and Kiké Hernandez cracked his fifth homer, a three-run shot in the eighth inning. Dodger starter Carlos Frias allowed three runs and eight hits in 3.1 innings. 

FOLLOW THE LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League-leading 45 home runs (four more than the Cubs’ 41) and have a .289 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .495 slugging percentage (2nd, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.389, 3rd), slugging percentage (.796, 1st), hits (21, 2nd), runs (13, T-2nd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, 2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games and is batting .465 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .489 on-base percentage and a .814 slugging percentage in 17 Cactus League games. Turner’s 20 hits this spring tie for third-most in the NL and his 35 total bases are tied for fourth.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-3rd) and RBI (13, T-5th); Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-3rd) and runs scored (12, T-4th); and Howie Kendrick is tied for fourth with 12 runs scored.

(McCarthy & Gonzalez, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

FOLLOW ME TO BRADLEY!: The official dedication of the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication at Bradley University will be held tomorrow, March 31, at 3:00 p.m. at the Caterpillar Global Communications Center in Peoria, IL. The dedication program will include remarks from Dr. Jeff Huberman, Dean of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts; Dr. Paul Gullifor, Chair of the Department of Communication; Joanne Glasser, President of Bradley University; Jim Ardis, Mayor of Peoria; and of course, Charley himself. Video of the dedication will be available following the event at bradley.edu/steinerdedication. The Steiner School will have 120 majors, in radio and television broadcasting, journalism, production, direction, ethics, media relations, digital and sales. 

ON THE MOUND: LHP Brett Anderson will make his fourth Cactus League start today. Anderson has allowed three runs on 10 hits through 6.2 innings so far this spring. He last pitched in a Cactus League game on March 19 against the Angels, allowing three runs on seven hits through 1.2 innings. The southpaw did pitch in a minor league game last Tuesday, on the Dodgers’ off day. In that contest, he allowed three runs and nine hits in 5.2 innings. Anderson tossed 79 pitches and struck out five in that outing.

• LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his ninth appearance of the spring today. Through eight Cactus League appearances, Rodriguez has tossed 8.1 scoreless innings, surrendering only three hits and striking out 10.
• LHP Adam Liberatore is also expected to see action today. Liberatore has held opposing hitters to a .148 batting average this spring, allowing only four hits in 8.0 innings of work.
• RHP Yimi Garcia will make his ninth Cactus League appearance today. Garcia allowed his first run of the spring in his last start on Friday against the Giants.
• RHP Pedro Baez will also make his ninth appearance of the spring today. Through eight Cactus League appearances, Baez has allowed five runs on seven hits in 8.0 innings.
• Veteran RHP Mike Adams is expected to make an appearance today. Through 3.2 innings this spring, Adams has surrendered four hits and three runs while striking out four.

(Tommy Lasorda,, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 26 / Home Game 13

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.

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

San Francisco Giants (6-19-1) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-6-6)
Friday, March 27, 2015 – 7:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

RHP Chris Heston (0-0, 2.00) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (1-0, 3.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: AM 570

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

(Dodger Stadium with new cut grass, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

UNDER THE LIGHTS: The Dodgers, who have the Majors’ best spring winning percentage at .684, take on the Giants for the second time this spring after tying, 5-5, on March 9 in Scottsdale. The clubs will have one more exhibition matchup on Sunday in Scottsdale before opening their 19-game regular-season series on April 21 at AT&T Park. Los Angeles won the 2014 season series between the clubs, 10-9, and has been victorious in seven of its last nine game against the Giants.

• Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will call tonight’s game from Camelback Ranch as he kicks off his unprecedented 66th season with the club. Scully will also call all three Freeway Series games next week.
• Dodger Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe will throw tonight’s ceremonial first pitch as he concludes his annual visit to Spring Training. Newcombe, who pitched in 10 big league seasons from 1949-60, was a four-time All-Star, 1949 Rookie of the Year and took home both the Cy Young and MVP Awards in 1956.

THOSE WINNING WAYS: The Dodgers won their third consecutive game yesterday, beating the White Sox, 9-6, at Camelback Ranch. Clayton Kershaw improved to 3-0 on the spring, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out eight in 6.0 dominant innings. The Dodger offense continued to click with 13 hits, including home runs by Yasiel Puig, Jimmy Rollins and Kiké Hernandez. 

• Puig has homered in three consecutive games and has four home runs in his last five games, batting .400 (6-for-15) with eight RBI since March 20. Overall, Puig is tied for second in the NL with five homers this spring.
• Hernandez caught fire in San Antonio last weekend, hitting .429 (6-for-14) with four home runs and five RBI in his last six games since March 20.

FOLLOW THE LEADERS: The Dodgers raised their Major League-best home run total to 40 (eight more than the Cubs’ 32) with three more longballs yesterday and have a .286 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .488 slugging percentage (2nd, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson leads the NL with a .756 slugging percentage this spring and also ranks among the league leaders in batting average (.400, T-3rd), hits (18, T-1st), runs (11, T-3rd), total bases (34, 3rd), on-base percentage (.438, 8th) and home runs (4, T-4th).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games and is batting .486 with four doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .513 on-base percentage and a .857 slugging percentage in 14 Cactus League games.

(Zack Greinke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

ON THE MOUND: RHP Zack Greinke will make his fourth Cactus League start tonight, last pitching on Saturday against the Rangers in the Alamodome when he picked up the win and struck out six in 4.0 scoreless innings. Greinke won each of his five starts against the Giants last year, going 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA (6 ER/34.0 IP) and limiting San Francisco hitters to a .216 batting average (27-for-125) with 36 strikeouts.

• LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his eighth appearance of the spring tonight. Through seven Cactus League appearances, Rodriguez has tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only three hits and striking out nine.
• RHP Yimi Garcia is also expected to see action tonight. Garcia has held opposing hitters to a .138 batting average this spring, allowing only four hits in 8.1 scoreless innings.
• Veteran RHP Mike Adams will make his fourth Cactus League appearance tonight. He tossed a scoreless inning in a Single-A game on Tuesday against the Brewers and last pitched in a big league game on Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits to the Rockies.
• RHP David Aardsma will see action for the eighth time this spring. The veteran reliever has held opposing hitters to a .160 batting average, while striking out seven through 7.0 innings of work.

(Job Fair at Dodger Stadium, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 24 / Home Game 12

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.

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

San Diego Padres (11-10) at Los Angeles Dodgers (11-6-6)
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

LHP Jason Lane (0-0, 4.70) vs. RHP Juan Nicasio (0-0, 5.14)
TV: SNLA

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

(Jimmie Rollins, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SAN DIEGO SHOWDOWN: The Dodgers, who have the Majors’ best spring winning percentage at .647, take on the Padres for the second and final time this spring after beating San Diego, 1-0, on March 12 in Peoria. The clubs will play again in just 12 days, on April 6 - Opening Day at Dodger Stadium - for the first of 19 regular-season meetings.

A CASE OF THE MONDAYS: The Dodgers rallied for three runs in the eighth inning on Monday to down the D-backs, 7-4, at Camelback Ranch. Jimmy Rollins, who is batting .316 in 13 Cactus League games, tripled and scored during Los Angeles’ third-inning rally, and Kiké Hernandez went 2-for-2 with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Chris Anderson made the spot start for the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits in 3.0 innings, and Daniel Coulombe picked up the win after retiring all three batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings.

• Following Monday’s game, the Dodgers optioned Coulombe to minor league camp.

MEANWHILE ON THE MINOR LEAGUE SIDE…: While the majority of the Dodgers were off yesterday, Brett Anderson and Mike Adams pitched in minor league games against the Brewers. Anderson threw 79 pitches in the High-A game, allowing three runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings, and Adams needed just 13 pitches to strike out the side in his only inning in a Low-A contest.

• Today, Carl Crawford will receive extra at-bats on the minor league side in the Dodgers’ Single-A game against the Rangers. A.J. Ellis is expected to do the same tomorrow.

(Graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, who turns 28 today! Ryu, who hasn’t pitched since March 17, underwent a contrast MRI in Los Angeles on Monday, which showed no changes since his 2012 MRI. The Dodgers plan to rest and rehab Ryu for two weeks before re-evaluating him at that time to determine his throwing progression.

SUCH A JOC: Joc Pederson has posted a .415/.455/.732 slashline this spring and continues to rank among the NL leaders in runs (10, T-3rd), hits (17, 2nd), batting average (.415, 3rd) and total bases (30, 3rd), on-base percentage (.455, 7th) and slugging percentage (.732, 1st).

• Despite not having an official at-bat on Monday, Justin Turner’s 10-game hitting streak came to an end, terminating after he was hit by a pitch and a third-inning sacrifice fly without a hit. He’s batting .469 with four doubles, two homers and seven RBI, while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .781 slugging percentage in 13 Cactus League games.
• Kiké Hernandez went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored on Monday, as he continued to swing a hot bat. Hernandez has hit safely in his last six contests, batting .500 (7-for-14) with six runs scored, a double, three homers and four RBI since March 18.
• The Dodgers have been going deep at a frenetic pace of late and continue to lead the Major Leagues with 33 home runs.

ON THE MOUND: RHP Juan Nicasio will make his first start in his sixth appearance of the spring today. Nicasio has made three consecutive scoreless appearances, including striking out four in 2.0 scoreless frames in his last outing on Saturday against the Rangers.

• RHP Dustin McGowan will make his sixth appearance of the spring today, last pitching 2.0 scoreless innings on Saturday against the Rockies.
• RHP Sergio Santos has allowed just one run and struck out nine in 6.0 innings in six outings this spring. He last pitched on Saturday against the Rockies at Talking Stick.
• LHP J.P. Howell will make his sixth appearance of the spring today, last pitching a scoreless inning on Sunday against the Indians.
• LHP Paco Rodriguez has allowed just three hits and struck out seven in 6.0 scoreless innings this spring, last pitching on Sunday against the Indians.
• RHP David Aardsma has tossed scoreless relief in five of six appearances this spring, last pitching on Sunday against the Indians.
• RHP Yimi Garcia has nine strikeouts in 7.1 scoreless innings this spring, last pitching 1.2 innings on Sunday against Cleveland.
• Brandon League will have an MRI on his right shoulder today. He has made two appearances this spring, last pitching on March 9.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 23 / Home Game 11

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.

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

Arizona Diamondbacks (12-8-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (10-6-6)
Monday, March 23, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

RHP Daniel Hudson (0-0, 6.75) vs. RHP Chris Anderson (1-1, 3.00)
TV: SNLA

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

(Yasiel Puig, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SNAKE CATCHERS: The Dodgers, who have the National League’s best spring winning percentage at .625, take on the Diamondbacks for the first of two meetings this spring. Last year, the Dodgers dominated the Snakes, winning 15 of 19 games, including two in Sydney, Australia, and eight of 10 in Phoenix. This season, the clubs will square off during the campaign’s first month as the Dodgers travel to Chase Field for their first road trip, April 10-12. Arizona’s first visit to Dodger Stadium will come the next time the squads play, from May 1-3.

• One year ago today, the Dodgers continued their 2014 opening series by picking up their second consecutive victory over Arizona, 7-5, in Sydney, Australia. Yasiel Puig and Juan Uribe each had a double and three hits while Andre Ethier added two hits and an RBI. On the mound, left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu tossed 5.0 scoreless innings for the victory.
• The Dodgers’ one-and-only off day of the spring falls tomorrow. Left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson will participate in a minor league game on the back fields at 1:00 p.m. to stay on schedule.

THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Joel Peralta, who turns 39 today! Peralta is in his first season with the Dodgers after spending the previous 10 seasons with the Angels (2005), Royals (2006-08), Rockies (2009), Nationals (2010) and Rays (2011-14). The native of the Dominican Republic was acquired on Nov. 20, 2014 with Adam Liberatore in exchange for Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris. Peralta hold the Rays’ all-time record for appearances with 296.

MEDICAL MINUTE: Yesterday, Dodger left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu left Camelback Ranch for Los Angeles, where he will meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache today. Ryu has been experiencing discomfort in his left shoulder and received an inflammation-reducing injection on March 18. Fellow left-hander Erik Bedard will have an MRI this morning after suffering what is believed to be a lat strain in San Antonio.

THE LEGEND: Former Cy Young Award winner and current Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe is at Camelback Ranch this week! Newcombe, who won the very first Cy Young Award in 1956, is making his annual visit to Dodger Spring Training and will throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to Friday’s sold-out game against the Giants.

(Joc Pederson, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

SUCH A JOC: Joc Pederson has posted a .436/.476/.769 slashline this spring and continues to rank among the NL leaders in runs (10, T-1st), hits (17, T-1st) and total bases (30, 2nd), on-base percentage (.476, T-3rd) and slugging percentage (.769, 1st). Pederson also ranks second in the NL in batting average, trailing only Arizona’s Ender Inciarte (.472).

• Justin Turner has homered in consecutive games, posted four consecutive multi-hit games and also hit safely in 10 consecutive contests dating to March 8. He’s batting .469 with four doubles, two homers and six RBI, while posting a .485 on-base percentage and a .781 slugging percentage in 12 Cactus League games.
• The Dodgers have been going deep at a frenetic pace of late and now lead the Major Leagues with 33 home runs this spring, four more than the Chicago Cubs. The club is led by Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson and Kiké Hernandez, who all have three.

CAN’T FLY SOLO: The Dodgers lost to the Indians, 4-2, yesterday at Camelback Ranch, getting solo homers from Yasiel Puig and Kiké Hernandez as their only offense of the game. The club was limited to five hits and managed just three in 5.2 innings off of American League Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. On the mound, left-hander David Huff tossed 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while J.P. Howell (1.0 IP), Paco Rodriguez (1.0), Yimi Garcia (1.2) and David Aardsma all tossed scoreless relief. Garcia has now fired 7.1 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts this spring.

ON THE MOUND: 22-year-old RHP Chris Anderson will make his third Cactus League appearance today. He has allowed one run on one hit through 3.0 innings so far this spring. Anderson was the Dodgers’ top pick in the 2013 draft and has averaged 9.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings during the course of his career, striking out 196 batters and walking 87 in 180.1 innings.

• Hard-throwing LHP Adam Liberatore is expected to make his seventh appearance of the spring today. Through six Cactus League appearances, Liberatore has tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only three hits and striking out six.
• LHP Daniel Coulombe is also expected to see action today. Coulombe has held opposing hitters to a .063 batting average this spring, allowing only one hit in 4.2 innings.
• RHP Sergio Santos will make his seventh appearance after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in last Friday’s loss to Colorado.
• RHP Pedro Baez will see action today, for the sixth time this spring. The native of the Dominican Republic has held opposing hitters to a .200 batting average and struck out five through 4.0 innings of work.

(Bat and helmet, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 18 / Road Game 9

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.

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

Los Angeles Dodgers(8-3-6) at Oakland Athletics (10-7-1)
Friday, March 20, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Hohokam Stadium

LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 2.16) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (1-0, 5.68)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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

MESA MADNESS: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .727,  travel to Mesa to take on the Athletics in the second and final meeting of the spring between the two clubs following Los Angeles’ 10-5 win in Glendale on Monday. The teams, who haven’t met during the regular season since 2012, will have a home-and-home, two-game series during the regular season, in Los Angeles July 28-29 and in Oakland Aug. 18-19.

• A split-squad of Dodgers that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner, Alex Guerrero, Darwin Barney, Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson among others, traveled to San Antonio last night and will take on the Rangers this evening at the Alamodome. The pitching matchups for the two-game Big League Weekend series feature left-hander Erik Bedard for the Dodgers against Texas right-hander Anthony Bass tonight, followed by RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Anthony Ranaudo tomorrow afternoon.

NICE TIE: The Dodgers established a record with their sixth tie of the spring yesterday, tying the Angels, 7-7, at Camelback Ranch. Los Angeles pounded another 11 hits, including a three-run homer by Alex Guerrero, to raise his spring batting average to .400. Andre Ethier and Justin Turner both posted multi-hit games in the victory, as Turner hit safely for the eighth consecutive game and is now hitting .423 this spring. Brett Anderson lasted just 1.2 innings in his third start of the spring, allowing three runs on seven hits in a no-decision.

• Yesterday marked the Dodgers’ sixth consecutive game with double-digit hits as the club raised its cumulative batting average to .271 in 17 games this spring.

  

  (Guerrero 3-run home run, via Dodgers on tumblr)

OH HAPPY DAY!: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Pat Corrales, who turns 74 today! Corrales is in his third season with the Dodger organization as a special advisor to the GM following a nine-year MLB playing career and a nine-year run as a big league manager.

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, will make his fourth start of the spring today after allowing one run on four hits in 3.1 innings in his last start, Sunday at Seattle. Kershaw has faced the A’s twice in his career, in 2009 and in 2012, allowing just one run and striking out 15 in 13.2 innings (0-0, 0.66 ERA).

• LHP J.P. Howell is expected to make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching 0.2 innings on Tuesday against the Rangers.
• RHP David Aardsma, who last pitched on Tuesday against the Rangers, is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today.
• LHP Adam Liberatore has struck out four in 5.0 scoreless innings in five Cactus League outings, last pitching on Wednesday against the Cubs.
• Kershaw will bat ninth today as Dodger pitchers hit for themselves for the first time this spring. Last year, Kershaw hit .175 with his first-career triple and three RBI, while Dodger pitchers combined to lead the National League with both a .163 batting average and a .207 on-base percentage.
• Kershaw and Howell, along with Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson, will be featured on a special “Connected With…the Pitching Staff,” which debuts tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA.

(Clayton Kershaw, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Today marks the first day of exhibition games for Dodger minor leaguers as the club’s Triple-A and Double-A teams take on the Rangers at Camelback Ranch. The Single-A clubs begin games on Sunday.

NEWEST DODGER: Congratulations to Lisa and David Huff on the birth of a son, Ethan Thomas Allen Huff, yesterday! Huff’s next start has been pushed back to Sunday, with Chad Gaudin taking the hill Saturday against Colorado at Talking Stick.

RYU UPDATE: On Wednesday, Dodger left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu reported feeling tightness in his left shoulder, similar to the discomfort he experienced last season, and after consulting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, he elected to have an inflammation-reducing injection. Ryu will not throw for three days and his next step will be determined at that time. Ryu pitched 3.0 innings on Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, and has tossed 5.0 innings this spring.

ROSTER UPDATE: Yesterday, the Dodgers reassigned RHP Ben Rowen to minor league camp.  Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 43 players remaining in big league camp.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: 3/19/2015 - Happy Birthday Clayton Kershaw

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.

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

(Camelback Ranch, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

MARCH MADNESS: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .727,  take on the Angels in the first of five meetings between the clubs during the exhibition season. Los Angeles won the season series between the clubs last year, 3-1, and the clubs will meet six times during the regular season in 2015, July 31-Aug. 2 at Dodger Stadium and Sept. 7-9 at Angel Stadium.

• The Freeway Series begins exactly two weeks from today, Thursday, April 2 in Anaheim. The Dodgers and Angels will play two 7:05 p.m. games at Angel Stadium before the series shifs to Los Angeles for a 6:10 p.m. game on Saturday, April 4. In anticipation of the Freeway Series, the clubs partnered on a billboard in Hollywood to celebrate the 2014 Most Valuable Player Awards of Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout, with the script “Is Your MVP Red Or Blue.” Fans are encouraged to show their support by utilizing the hashtags #MVPKersh and #MVPTrout.
• Today’s Angels starter Andrew Heaney was briefly a Dodger when the club acquired the left-hander from the Marlins on Dec. 10 as part of a seven-player deal and subsequently traded him to their I-5 rivals in exchange for Howie Kendrick. Kendrick played the first nine seasons of his career with the Angels from 2006-14 and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders (min. 3000 PA) in games played (1,081, 9th), runs (534, 9th), hits (1,204, 6th), batting average (.292, 4th), doubles (249, 5th) and triples (30, T-7th) and is the club’s all-time leader in hits by a second baseman. Kendrick is not expected to play today, but is batting .400 (10-for-25) with a homer and six RBI in 10 games this spring.

(Rain, Rain, Go Away!  At Camelback Ranch, pic via Kevin Baxter on twitter)

ROSTER UPDATE: Following yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned OF Scott Schebler and reassigned IF Buck Britton, IF/OF Darnell Sweeney, C Shawn Zarraga, IF Corey Seager and C Chris O’Brien to minor league camp.  Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 44 players remaining in big league camp.

DOWNER: The Dodgers had their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end yesterday, falling, 7-5 to the Cubs. Two Dodger hitters posted multi-hit games to raise their batting averages to .400, as Joc Pederson went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer to push his average to .429 and Howie Kendrick added two singles to reach the .400 mark on the spring. Brandon McCarthy took the loss in his third start of the spring, allowing six runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings.

• Los Angeles had 12 hits yesterday to increase the club’s batting average to .271 on the spring.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio, is almost here! The traveling party, which includes starters  Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke along with Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson, departs Camelback Ranch this evening for the brief two-day trip to Texas.

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Brett Anderson will make his third Cactus League start today, last pitching 3.0 scoreless innings in a win over the Indians Saturday. He has allowed only three hits in 5.0 scoreless innings this spring.

• RHP Chris Hatcher is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Monday against the A’s.
• RHP Yimi Garcia is also expected to see action today, last pitching on Monday against the A’s. Garcia has allowed only one hit and struck out three in 4.0 scoreless innings this spring.
• RHP Joel Peralta will make his third Cactus League appearance today, last pitching a scoreless inning on Monday against the A’s.

(Clayton Kershaw, screengrab from MLB video Ping Pong)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 27th birthday to Clayton Kershaw today! Kershaw became the first-ever player to win three Cy Young Awards before the age of 27 when he was honored with both the Cy Young and MVP awards this past November.

Happy Birthday @ClaytonKersh22!!!! We all chipped in and got you a years supply of these. pic.twitter.com/jpZyd183uF
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) March 19, 2015

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 16 / 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.

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

Chicago Cubs (6-9-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-5)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 3.60) vs. RHP Jake Arietta (1-1 1.50)    
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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

(Yasiel Puig, pic via @MLB on twitter)

WINNING TIME: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800 and are unbeaten in their last six games, take on the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch this afternoon. The last time the Dodgers lost was March 11 in Mesa, when they were beaten by these same Cubs, 4-3. Los Angeles won the season series over Chicago last year, 4-3, and will play six regular-season games against the Cubs, June 22-24 at Wrigley Field and Aug. 28-30 at Dodger Stadium.

AND SO IT HAS BEEN DONE: The Dodgers exploded for 11 runs and 15 hits yesterday, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth and finished in an 11-11 tie with the Rangers in Surprise. The five ties for Los Angeles this spring (with 15 Cactus League games left) equals the franchise mark for ties in Spring Training, previously reached in 2006 and 2014.

(Kendrick Home Run, via Dodgers on tumblr)

• New Dodger Howie Kendrick was 2-for-2 and hit a long three-run homer to the deepest part of center field yesterday, giving him six RBI this spring, which ties Darnell Sweeney, Kyle Jensen and Scott Schebler for the team lead. Kendrick is also hitting .364 during his first spring in blue.
• The Dodgers’ 18 home runs rank fourth in the Cactus League, trailing the Giants (22), Cubs (19) and Padres (19).

TEXAS TWO-STEP: Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio, is almost here! The traveling party will depart Camelback Ranch tomorrow at 5:40 p.m. Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

TELL YOUR STORY: Major League Baseball has officially launched the 2015 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, which will recognize one fan per MLB Club who has been affected by breast cancer and has demonstrated a commitment to battling the disease.  Dodger fans, ages 18 and older, can now share stories about themselves or loved ones who are “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” by visiting HonoraryBatGirl.com for a chance to be recognized on the field, Sunday, May 17 (1:10 p.m. vs. Rockies). Fans also are invited to visit the site to vote for these inspirational stories, designed to provide hope and motivation for those currently in the fight against breast cancer. Entries can be submitted through April 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will make his third start of the spring today. He has allowed two runs in 5.0 innings pitched with three strikeouts. The 6’7’’ veteran established career highs in wins (10), strikeouts (175) and innings pitched (200.0) last season with the Diamondbacks and Yankees. McCarthy made his major league debut against the Cubs on May 22, 2005, allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings.

• LHP Adam Liberatore is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today. Through four Cactus League appearances, Liberatore has tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only two hits and striking out three.
• RHP Dustin McGowan is also expected to see action today. McGowan has allowed five hits and 4 runs in 3.0 innings thus far.
• RHP Sergio Santos will make his fifth Cactus League appearance today. Santos has not allowed a run in 4.0 innings and has held opposing hitters to a .083 batting average.
• Veteran RHP Mike Adams will make his second appearance of the spring today. In his first Cactus League appearance, Adams allowed one run on one hit in 0.2 innings pitched.

REMEMBER WHEN: Sixty years ago today, Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitched for the first time in a Dodger uniform at Holman Stadium, Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL. On March 18, 1955, Koufax made his debut for Brooklyn in a camp game against the “All-Stars,” a collection of players from Dodger minor league teams. The 19-year-old faced seven batters and struck out five, while walking two in two innings of work. Sports writer Roscoe McGowan wrote in The New York Times, “Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn’s $17,000 bonus right-hander, made his debut tonight against the All-Stars.” Apparently, an editing mistake changed Koufax to a “right-hander.”  

(Rollins playing catch, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *