Welcome to the Blue, Ryan Moseley!

Better late than never, I suppose.  As you know, the Dodgers traded relief pitcher Vidal Nuño to the Orioles last week in order to make room for recent free agent signee Franklin Gutierrez on the 40-man roster.  In return for Nuño the Dodgers received a 22-year old right-handed pitching prospect named Ryan Moseley.  He had originally been drafted by Baltimore in 2016 out of Texas Tech University in the 8th round.  You can follow Ryan on twitter here: @Ryan2Moseley.  Per John Sickels at Minor League Ball:

The native of Lubbock, Texas, had an erratic spring for the Red Raiders (Texas Tech), posting a 4.98 ERA in 56 innings, undone with command problems that resulted in a poor 32/37 K/BB ratio. He was more effective in pro ball, posting a 3.20 ERA in 20 innings for the Aberdeen Ironbirds in the New York-Penn League with a 18/9 K/BB, while saving four games in five attempts.

Moseley is a 6-3, 190 pounder, age 22. He works with a low-90s sinker (resulting in a 1.92 GO/AO in his debut) along with a slider and change-up. His secondary pitches looked better in the NY-P than they did in college, helping to result in a higher strikeout rate, but even with Aberdeen his walk rate was higher than ideal. He is best-suited for relief at higher levels, with development of his command determining his ultimate fate.

Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton faced batters for the first time this Spring as he got on the mound on Monday to throw live batting practice to Dodger hitters.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"This day is always not the most fun. It's about as low-adrenaline as you can, and you have to try to be competitive," he said. "Overall, it went OK, and I got it out of the way and can pitch in a real game now. You've got to get your work in. It's necessary. You can't go bullpens into a game, you need to face hitters before a game. It's the same progression since I've been here."

BTW, On Saturday Kershaw was named this seasons Opening Day starter for the seventh straight year.  This honor ties a Dodger franchise record held by both Don Drysdale and Don Sutton. 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more fantastic pics taken by Jon from Monday.  You can also check out pics from Sunday (here), Saturday (here), and Friday (here).  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley trades minor league franchises with Phil Wrigley of the Cubs.  Brooklyn trades the Ft. Worth club (Texas League) in return for the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast League).
• Happy Birthday, Ted Savage, Sam Fletcher & Norman Plitt!
  

Blog Kiosk: 1/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Dodgers third baseman Randy Jackson is seen scoring on an inside-the-park home run in the above August 11, 1956 International News press photo taken by Herb Scharfman - a noted Sports Illustrated photographer.  (eBay Auction Link) It was recorded against the Phillies at Ebbets Park and represent the fourth run to cross that plate that inning.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

The First inning of the Dodger-Phillies game at Ebbets Field today was distinguished by an inside-the-park homer by Randy Jackson of the Dodgers.  It was one of those "almost lost" things as Richie Ashburn, Phillies centerfielder, "almost" got it.  The photo on the left shows (not seen above) Ashburn making his try as the ball hit the centerfield wall.  The photo on the right shows (photo above) Jackson hitting the plate to score on the clout. 

The Dodgers would win the game, 5-2, and it would provide Don Newcombe with his 18th win of the season.  He would record 27 victories that year and win both the Cy Young and MVP.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1984 Don Drysdale is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame; along with Luis Aparicio and Harmon Killebrew.
• Happy Birthday, Marty Hermann, Johnny Peacock & Adam Kennedy!

Welcome to the Blue, Vidal Nuno!

The Dodgers appear to have made their very first move of the winter off-season.  Although not officially confirmed by the team, word has spread throughout the interwebs that they have moved catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Seattle Mariners for left-handed relief pitcher Vidal Nuno.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Nuno, 29, was 1-1 with a 3.53 ERA and a career-high 1.33 WHIP in 55 appearances, all but one in relief, although he has made 42 Major League starts. He was drafted by Cleveland in 2009 and released two years later, briefly playing independent ball before signing with the Yankees in June 2011. Nuno made it to the Major Leagues in 2013, then was traded to Arizona in '14 for new teammate Brandon McCarthy and was traded to Seattle with Mark Trumbo in 2015.