Dodgers Blue Heaven: Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #5

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #5

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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(Kasten and Roberts, pic via Jon SooHoo on twitter)

WIND UP WEDNESDAY: Dodger pitchers and catchers held their fifth and final official workout of Spring Training today, with PFPs, bullpen sessions and batting practice as the club prepares to start their first full-squad workout of 2016 tomorrow.

A couple of special guests arrived at Camelback Ranch-Glendale today, including Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten and Dodger Executive Vice President and CMO Lon Rosen.

(Jamey Wright clubhouse intro, pic via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter)

WRIGHT BACK AT YA: Today, the Dodgers announced the signing of free-agent right-handed pitcher Jamey Wright to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training and he pitched his first official bullpen of the spring. The 19-year Major League veteran returns to Los Angeles after appearing in 127 games (one start) in two stints with the club in 2012 and 2014. Wright ranks first all-time among right-handed pitchers with 64 career pickoffs, while ranking ninth overall. He transitioned to a full-time role in the bullpen in 2008 and has compiled a 3.96 ERA in 494.1 IP since then, which is the seventh most relief innings in the majors in that span. He has posted a 97-130 career record with a 4.81 ERA in 719 games (248 starts) with Colorado (1996-99, 2004-05), Milwaukee (2000-02), St. Louis (2002), Kansas City (2003, 2009), San Francisco (2006), Texas (2007-08), Cleveland (2010), Seattle (2010-11), Tampa Bay (2013) and Los Angeles (2012, 2014).

Joining Wright and throwing their third official bullpens of the spring today were Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, J.P. Howell, Kenley Jansen, Joe Blanton, Ian Thomas, Chris Hatcher, Luis Avilan, Yimi Garcia, Carlos Frias, Adam Liberatore, Ross Stripling, Matt West, Zach Lee and Chase De Jong.

(Maddux with Anderson, pic via Jake Seiner on twitter)

BRINGING IN THE ARMS: The Dodgers would like to welcome back four-time National League Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux and 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne who were working with the pitchers today during the bullpen sessions. Maddux, who spent two seasons with the Dodgers (2006, 2008) and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, was hired on February 2 as the special assistant to Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, along with Raul Ibañez. Gagne, who spent eight years with the Dodgers and currently holds the all-time Dodgers’ saves record with 161 saves, will work with pitchers as a special instructor during Spring Training.

GOING TO BAT AGAINST CANCER: Yesterday, Major League Baseball launched the 2016 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 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-field by the Dodgers on Monday, May 9 against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Entries can be submitted by breast cancer survivors, friends and family, advocates and/or supporters of the cause through April 14 at 1:59 p.m. PT. A panel of guest-judges, including Dodger pitcher Scott Kazmir, will help select the winning submissions based on the following criteria: originality, quality of writing, demonstration of commitment to breast cancer awareness and online fan votes.