Welcome to the Blue, Jason Wheeler!

The Dodgers added another arm to bolster their pitching depth. On Friday evening they acquired left-handed reliever Jason Wheeler from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cold hard cash - exact details are not known. He will be sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City and projects as either a fifth starter or long-reliever. Per a Dodgers press release:

2017 Topps Archives - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Featured here are all of the Dodger insert cards found in packs of 2017 Topps Archives. The best of which feature autographs from both the past and present. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Fan Favorites Autographs

#FFA-CK Clayton Kershaw

#FFA-MM Manny Mota

Blog Kiosk: 6/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda wasn't exactly terrible on Sunday, though he was clearly inefficient. Through four innings pitched he struck out seven, but walked three batters and allowed two earned runs on 92 total pitches. That's certainly not the way to get things done. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We're going to run him out there in five days," Roberts said. "The conversation I had with him, it's not necessarily a short leash, it's where I don't really have an option. I'd like to see him go deep into games. When you get ahead of hitters like he does, you have to be able to put them away. I think he's a little afraid of contact, and there are a lot of non-competitive pitches when he gets ahead, and we've got to clean that up."

The Dodgers got blanked by Milwaukee, 3-0, and fall a half game beding Colorado in the NL West. Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball: In 1977 the Dodgers retired former manager Walter Alston's uniform number #24 at Dodger Stadium. It was also Old-Timer's Day as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 4-2.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Maloney, Fred Mitchell, Duke Sims & Russ Ortiz!

2017 Topps Now - #216 & #218 - Taylor's Saturday Slam Deserves Two Cards

Saturday was a day of Baseball achievements. Fans not only got to witness a no-hitter by Marlins veteran right-hander Edinson Volquez, but also saw future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols record his 600th career home run -- on a grand slam, no less. In fact, there were seven grand slams on the day, and Topps saw fit to create a 2017 Topps Now card to celebrate the collective feat. Go here to check it out and order.

Nationals Series Starts on Monday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 

The White House will be available for this homestand only against Washington at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features chile con carne, pickle, diced tomatoes & onions, mustard. Pic on the right via David Vassegh on twitter.

BTW, during the off-day on Thursday, June 8th, Dodger Stadium will host the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala, featuring a concert by Grammy Award®-winning bands Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire. Go here for information.

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Monday, June 5th at 7:10 PM
LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
TV: ESPN, SNLA Spanish, SportsNet LA
Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2017 Topps Now - 3 Dodgers Cards - #207, #210 & #213 - Bellinger and Kershaw

Friday nights are often the best nights, and last night was one of the best for the Dodgers in recent memory. Not only did the Dodgers still sit atop the heap in the West, but youthful power hitting slugger, Cody Bellinger, was also named the National National League Rookie of the Month to start off the day. To commemorate this achievement Topps has issued a 2017 Topps Now card, and it happens to include fellow phenom Aaron Judge. Go here to check this card out. Per the description on the reverse: