Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Health/injuries (Page 1 of 33)

Comparing major injuries
for the Giants and Dodgers

San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt suffered a fractured left thumb while attempting to bunt (against the shift, apparently) on Sunday for the Giants. As a result, he will miss at least the remainder of the regular season, and his return date during the playoffs is currently undetermined. 

This is obviously a major injury for San Francisco — for their resurgent lineup in 2021, Belt leads the team with a 159 OPS+ and has 29 homers in only 97 games. (He missed almost two months because of a right knee injury earlier this year.) The Giants are already without one-time Dodger acqusition Darin Ruf, who has a 141 OPS+ in 114 games. 

The news made me curious to compare major injuries between the Giants and the Dodgers this season. As a resource, I used these pages for San Francisco and Los Angeles available at Fangraphs. 

Read More

Toles, Verdugo offer ready remedies for Puig injury

Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s not as if the Dodgers must call up an outfielder if, as expected, Yasiel Puig goes on the disabled list with an oblique strain suffered Sunday. In addition to Matt Kemp and Joc Pederson, they have three infielders who play outfield in Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernandez and Cody Bellinger, and relocating Bellinger to center (with Kemp in right) would open up time for Max Muncy to play first base and give him a break from learning second base on the job.

But moving an infielder to the outfield would also force more playing time at second base for the likes of struggling Logan Forsythe (1 for 27 with two walks and 11 strikeouts since June 22) and Chase Utley, whereas you could hardly ask for better outfield candidates for the Dodgers to import from Oklahoma City than Andrew Toles and Alex Verdugo.

Read More

Walker Buehler’s time arrives for the Dodgers

Walker Buehler has a 2.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts in his first 10 innings for the Dodgers this year. (Michael Urakami/MLB.com)

Seems like Walker Buehler can take Rancho Cucamonga hotels out of his favorites on Waze.

Read More

What Seager’s lost season signifies for the 2018 Dodgers

Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers

Let me start by saying this isn’t a “Remain calm, all is well” post.

Read More

Adam Liberatore to have surgery, return in 2017

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS VS LOS ANGELES DODGERS

By Jon Weisman

Adam Liberatore, who had a 0.85 WHIP and 0.61 ERA before the All-Star Break but 1.95 WHIP and 9.45 ERA after, is expected to undergo an arthroscopic left elbow debridement Tuesday, which should allow him to return for the 2017 season.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the operation in Los Angeles on Liberatore, who set a franchise record July 9 with his 24th consecutive scoreless appearance. Alex Wood recently returned to action after a similar procedure in July.

Liberatore was placed on the disabled list August 3 (retroactive to July 30), and pitched 9 1/3 innings in 14 games thereafter with a 9.64 ERA and 18 baserunners.

Dodgers revise rotation to include Julio Urías

Sandy Koufax speaks with Rich Hill, Julio Urias and interpreter Jesus Quinoes before the Vin Scully Appreciation Day ceremony September 23. Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Sandy Koufax speaks with Rich Hill, Julio Urías and interpreter Jesus Quinonez before the Vin Scully Appreciation Day ceremony September 23. Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Andrew Toles, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers have announced their starting pitchers for the regular season’s remaining six games, and while it is (as always) subject to change, there are some interesting tea leaves to read.

Fresh off a recent conversation with Sandy Koufax (above), Julio Urías has been pegged to start Thursday for the Dodgers, following — in a switch — Kenta Maeda tonight and Jose De León on Wednesday.

With Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw and Maeda slated for the final series against the Giants, that means veterans Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy would appear to be all but out of consideration for the National League Division Series.

In their only appearances of the month, Anderson threw five innings September 22, Kazmir a single inning September 23 and McCarthy — most encouragingly — six innings of two-run ball September 25.

There’s never been any shortage of surprises with these Dodgers, but you’d be asking any of those pitchers to start on 2 1/2 weeks of rest, simulated innings aside. Game 4 of the NLDS would be played October 11.

Aside from the implications for finalizing the NLDS roster, the main question now is whether Urías, who has a 3.53 ERA this season but has thrown only two innings since September 13, is in a competition with De León to be positioned as No. 4 starter in the playoffs, or whether this is all a backup plan.

Based on Dodger playoff history from 2013-15, Clayton Kershaw would come back on three days’ rest to pitch in Game 4. His recovery from a disk herniation has mostly tabled that concept, but if Kershaw is feeling 100 percent, would you count him out?

Essentially, the Dodgers can start Kershaw in Game 4, turn to one of the rookies, or treat it as a glorified bullpen game, with Urías or De León combining with Ross Stripling to take the starter innings.

We’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?

Meanwhile, Hill pitching before Kershaw this weekend in San Francisco shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as a change in the pecking order. It’s far more likely to give Hill an extra day of rest before he takes the mound in the playoffs. By pitching Saturday, Kershaw would open the NLDS on five days’ rest, with Hill on seven days’ rest.

However, if you want to mull something off the wall, consider this: There are three days’ rest between NLDS Game 1 (October 7) and Game 4, but four days’ rest between NLDS Games 2 (October 8) and Game 5 (October 13). So if you wanted Kershaw to pitch on normal rest for two games, a Game 2 start would be the way to go. In that case, though, you’re guaranteeing the need for a fourth starter in the series.

Update: Dave Roberts confirmed tonight that it would be Kershaw, Hill and Maeda to begin the playoffs, in that order.

NL West title in sight after Dodgers top Rockies

image-5

Yasmani Grandal tags Nolan Arenado in the first inning after receiving a throw from Andrew Toles. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers’ fourth consecutive division title could arrive inside of 24 hours.

Read More

As Dodgers sift pitching options, Kazmir to start Friday

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carlos Ruiz, C
Kiké Hernández, CF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Scott Kazmir will follow Brett Anderson’s Thursday start against the Rockies by taking the mound Friday, Dave Roberts said today.

The left-handed Kazmir hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since August 22, when he allowed four runs and nine baserunners in a season-low 2 2/3 innings against the Reds (a game the Dodgers won, 18-9). Kazmir and Anderson both went on the disabled list the next day.

Read More

Alex Wood activated from disabled list

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Andrew Toles, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Rich Hill, P

By Jon Weisman

Out of action since May 30, Alex Wood has been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers.

Read More

Anderson thrives, Oklahoma City stays alive in PCL

By Jon Weisman

After Brett Anderson pitched five strong innings, Triple-A Oklahoma City scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to rally for a 4-2 victory over El Paso in Game 3 of the Pacific Coast League finals.

Read More

Stewart to start Saturday, rehab continues for vets

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Though it’s not as dramatic as it was in July and August, when seemingly every start was up for grabs, the Dodgers did have some small tweaks and tidbits to share this afternoon about their starting pitching.

Brock Stewart will make Saturday’s start at Arizona instead of previously announced Bud Norris, according to Dave Roberts, who said Stewart was getting the nod based on “the way he’s thrown” in his recent outings. Norris will remain available out of the bullpen.

Read More

A Hill of beans in this crazy world

[mlbvideo id=”1157258183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Marlins, 10:10 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Andre Ethier, LF
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

I guess my wife and I picked the wrong day to take the family to Disneyland.

Exactly 51 years and one day after Sandy Koufax threw the last perfect game by a Dodger pitcher, Rich Hill nearly did the same (in a 5-0 Dodger victory). And in the process, he became the first Dodger pitcher since Hiroki Kuroda in 2008 to throw seven perfect innings — and the first ever to do so without facing another batter.

The controversy arose from the latter fact. In the overnight chatter since Hill was removed, many have had a chance to weigh in, and so with the Dodgers’ next game already about to start, I’m just going to highlight a few points …

Read More

Clayton Kershaw reunited with baseball

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLIX: Kersho and the Two Strings
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Andrew Toles, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw is off the disabled list and back on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who made the move official this afternoon.

Cary Osborne caught us up on Kershaw this morning. Moments ago, Dave Roberts told reporters that the Dodgers will take things “inning to inning” tonight,” but that the schedule calls for Kershaw to make his next start on four days’ rest Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

In between, the Dodgers will have Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda pitching against the Marlins, followed by rookies Jose De León and Julio Urías at New York.  The latter two will have had more than a week’s worth of rest.

Roberts added that he expected to see Urías in the bullpen in October.

To create room on the 40-man roster for Kershaw, the Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he has been on the disabled list since July 12, and placed him on the big-league 60-day DL.

In doing so, the Dodgers have broken the known record for most players on the DL in one year with 28.

The 26-year-old Frias, who had a 3.95 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 43 1/3 minor-league innings this year, pitched in one game for the Dodgers in 2016, throwing four shutout innings July 7 against the Padres. He is tied for 14th all-time for the Dodgers in innings pitched with a single-season ERA of 0.00.

Andre Ethier likely to escape DL this weekend in Miami

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Not only has Clayton Kershaw been activated from the disabled list for this evening’s start at Miami, but Andre Ethier is poised to be placed on on the active roster for the first time this season.

The 34-year-old outfielder remains on the DL for at least one more game, but the Dodgers said he was en route today to Miami, and not, to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca,” for the waters.

Read More

Yimi Garcia had arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday

Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Yimi Garcia had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his left knee to remove a small bone fragment, the Dodgers said Wednesday.

Read More

Page 1 of 33

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén