Health/injuries – Page 8 – Dodger Thoughts

Hopefully, Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal will soon be moving in the right direction for the Dodgers. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Still aiming to return to the active roster by the time the Dodgers have their home opener Tuesday, catcher Yasmani Grandal and infielder Howie Kendrick were placed on rehab assignments beginning tonight, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Weather is affecting Grandal’s game for Triple-A Oklahoma City at Nashville, but hopefully he gets underway in that time zone before Kendrick’s game starts for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Gurnick adds some detail from Dave Roberts about the different assignments.

… He said Grandal was sent to Triple-A because of the higher level of pitching competition. Grandal has had fewer at-bats while healing than Kendrick because of the difference in their injuries.

Kendrick will be the designated hitter in one game, “a game at third and a couple at second” base. Grandal played in a simulated game Wednesday. …

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

By Jon Weisman

On April 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Yimi Garcia and Pedro Baez in October 2015. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Ross Stripling has been named the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter and will take the mound April 8 at San Francisco, Dave Roberts announced, adding that Carlos Frias will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

We’ll have more on Stripling shortly in a separate post. In the meantime, here are some more news and notes …

Read More

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On March 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

As the Dodgers returned home from their wanderings in the desert, they took another step toward finalizing their Opening Day roster — with other steps remaining to go before Saturday morning deadline.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts said that Alex Guerrero remains at Camelback Ranch and will begin the season on the disabled list

“He had an MRI that showed minimal damage, but now we at least understand the discomfort and the pain he’s having in his knee,” Roberts said. “I really don’t know what the specifics were — I talked to the training staff, and whatever verbiage they used, it kind of validated some of the pain he’s been having.”

In other developments:

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On March 29, 2016

In Bullpen, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Adam Liberatore has struck out 11 in nine Cactus League innings this year.

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are down to two left-handers in their Major League bullpen after optioning Adam Liberatore to the minors following the team’s 5-4 victory Monday over Texas.

The question now is, will they go down to one?

Since we last checked in on the bullpen, it has been whittled in predictable fashion, leaving the following:

The Dodgers and ‘The Arm’

By Jon Weisman

On March 28, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

Yahoo baseball columnist Jeff Passan’s new book, “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports,” was excerpted at his home site today, and among other things it offers a rare peek into the kinds of steps the Dodgers have taken to grow and target their research and development department in baseball operations. Start reading, and take special note when Dr. James Buffi first appears.

— Jon Weisman

In case you missed it: Ex-Dodger moves forward from tragedy

By Jon Weisman

On March 27, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Pregame, Spring Training

[mlbvideo id=”565381383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Reds at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Chase Utley, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Rob Segedin, 1B
Austin Barnes, 2B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

I hope you don’t have to read a tougher story than this today: Former Dodger reliever Javy Guerra spoke to J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News about the twin horrors of losing his brother and sister in the past two years.

Here’s what’s happening around the Dodgers …

Zach Lee held serve in his challenge with Carlos Frias to start in the first week of the 2016 season. In the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory Saturday over the White Sox, Lee (pitching 4 2/3 innings) got two more outs than Frias, but allowed two more runs. Oddly, Lee had no walks or strikeouts.
Wrote Ken Gurnick of MLB.com: “Some will speculate that because Frias faced the Giants recently, Lee will get that first start, rather than have Frias face the same hitters again. San Francisco’s lineup Friday night included Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford.”
Under the radar, Kiké Hernandez (hit by a pitch near his oblique Sunday), Alex Guerrero (knee) and Yimi Garcia (knee) have gone days without playing as they try to let various sore spots heal.
However, Gurnick indicates that Corey Seager is nearing a return to Major League action after playing defense in a minor-league game Saturday.
Scott Kazmir’s abdominal issues weren’t abominable – it turns out, they were cramps.
Prospect watchers got a thrill when 20-year-old Cody Bellinger and 21-year-old Willie Calhoun hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning off MLB veteran Dan Jennings. Each player reached base twice in the game.
Justin Turner walked, doubled and singled in his three plate appearances, and now has a Cactus League on-base percentage in the .700 club.
Play-by-play announcer Joe Davis is not only spending his first season with the Dodgers in 2016, he and his wife Libby are having their first baby this summer. Congrats!
It was Dodger Pride night Saturday at Staples Center with the Kings.

@lakings, you look good. I mean, really good. #GKG Join us for Kings Night at Dodger stadium on August 12! Visit Dodgers.com/Kings for more information.

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Mar 26, 2016 at 9:57pm PDT

In case you missed it: Bolsinger won’t start opening week

By Jon Weisman

On March 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame

[mlbvideo id=”561503383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Before tonight’s 3-1 loss to Kansas City, Andrew Friedman confirmed suspicions that Mike Bolsinger’s oblique injury would knock him off track for an opening-week start.

Carlos Frias, Zach Lee and Brandon Beachy are the leading possibilities for making that start on April 8, though Julio Urias conspiracy theorists will note that the teenage lefty threw three “impressive” innings in a minor-league game, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

What else can I tell you?

Pedro Baez struck out all four batters he faced, giving him 11 this spring against three walks. Half of Baez’s 22 outs have been whiffs.
Alex Verdugo didn’t enter the game until the bottom of the seventh – and doesn’t turn 20 until May 15 – but still made an impression. In the bottom of the eighth, he made a sliding stop of a double to the gap and threw to second baseman Charlie Culberson, who fired home to catcher Austin Barnes for an out. Verdugo followed that with a double in the top of the ninth.
Joc Pederson had a streak of 12 straight plate appearances with a hit or strikeout end when he grounded out to third in the fourth inning. Pederson, who also lost a six-game hitting streak tonight, was 5 for 12 with seven strikeouts in that little run.
Louis Coleman allowed his third hit of March but struck out his 10th batter while completing his seventh scoreless inning. He hasn’t walked anyone.
Chris Young held the Dodgers hitless for 4 1/3 innings, but was still charged with a run. Young walked his last batter, Rob Segedin, and reliever Scott Alexander gave up an RBI double to his first batter, speedy Rico Noel.
Four Dodgers played complete games tonight: Segedin at first, Noel in right, Kiké Hernandez at short and Trayce Thompson in left field.

[mlbvideo id=”561420183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Alex Wood threw 62 pitches in a four-inning stint. Above, Rick Honeycutt talks about Wood.
Clayton Kershaw not only came out of a car accident unscathed, he posed for pictures with the pair who collided with him. Doug Padilla of ESPN.com has more.

Whatever you think of the Dodgers’ luck right now, there’s this: Clayton Kershaw came out of a car accident unscathed.

Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture

By Jon Weisman

On March 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Royals, 6:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, DH
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis C
Trayce Thompson, LF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Rico Noel, RF
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

The second X-ray was radioactive and then some for Andre Ethier.

When Ethier fouled a ball off his right shin Friday, initial x-rays were negative. But after he showed no improvement over subsequent days, a follow-up CT scan revealed a right tibia fracture.

He won’t need surgery, but he is expected to need between 10 and 14 weeks to recover, which puts him out until at least approximately June, or approximately a third of the regular season.

Ethier, who turns 34 on April 10, played in 142 games last year and hasn’t played in fewer than 130 since 2006, his rookie year. He had an .842 OPS and 137 weighted Runs Created in 2015.

Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke are the most obvious choices to pick up Ethier’s innings in left field, with Trayce Thompson — who starts for the Dodgers in tonight’s Cactus League game against the Royals — the leading option from the farm system. The 25-year-old Thompson OPSed .896 with 144 wRC+ in 135 plate appearances when he debuted with the White Sox last summer.

Kiké Hernandez is the last Dodger to start in left field in a game that counted — Game 5 of the 2015 National League Division Series — and could also see time there once Corey Seager returns to action at shortstop.

A year ago, Crawford was coming off a hot finish to 2013, and Ethier was expected to be the fourth outfielder, only to step forward when Crawford struggled with injuries. This year, Crawford and others will have the opportunity to step up for a fallen starter.

No. 5 starter on light duty at season’s outset

By Jon Weisman

On March 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Left-handed pitcher Dave Roberts is not a candidate for the Dodger starting rotation.

Mariners at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 3B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Charlie Culberson, SS
Elian Herrera, 2B
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

A bit of calm has arrived this morning after this weekend’s fifth-starter whiplash, in which the Dodgers’ three principal candidates for the final spot in the rotation seemed to fall by the temporary wayside.

Mike Bolsinger, who had emerged as the winner of the derby, has an oblique injury that isn’t serious, in the same way that rush hour at In ‘N Out isn’t serious — he’ll get where he needs to go, but he still has to bide his time.

From Doug Padilla of ESPN.com:

… He believes he can get back on track if he can get in one more start before exhibition games end April 2. The Dodgers leave Arizona on March 30 but play three games against the Los Angeles Angels in Southern California in advance of the April 4 season opener at San Diego.

“[Bolsinger] said there was significant improvement, but I think with the oblique we want to be cautious,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And I have used that word cautious numerous times this spring. But we do. It’s going to be asymptomatic in when he picks up a baseball again, so it could be a day, it could be two days. We’ll continue to be hopeful.”

Remember, Los Angeles doesn’t require a permanent solution at No. 5 right this minute. Rather, the Dodgers need a No. 5 starter only once before April 16 — on April 8 at San Francisco.

In the meantime, the Dodgers are reconsidering other options, including Brandon Beachy (recovering from a small bit of tendinitis), Zach Lee (whose option to the minors can be rescinded) and Carlos Frias (ever-straddling the line between starter and reliever).

Joe Blanton, on the other hand, will remain in long relief, according to Dave Roberts (via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.)

Gurnick added that Corey Seager ” felt fine one day after his first extensive workout,” but Andre Ethier was to have a bone scan to make sure nothing was missed in the X-ray Friday on his right shin.

Kazmir and Bolsinger under watchful eyes

By Jon Weisman

On March 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Padres at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis C
Joc Pederson, CF
Corey Brown, LF
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Mike Bolsinger, P

Dodgers at Brewers, 1:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Rob Segedin, 1B
Charlie Culberson, SS
Rico Noel, RF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Cary Osborne

Today marks Scott Kazmir’s first Cactus League outing since March 9, when he allowed six hits, two walks and five earned runs against the Angels.

Kazmir faces the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.

He pitched in a B game against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch on March 14. A lot was made of Kazmir’s fastball velocity in the B game, reportedly in the mid- to high-80s, so Spring Training game or not, people will be eager to watch this one.

The same could be said about the matchup against the Padres at Camelback Ranch where Mike Bolsinger continues his campaign for the fifth-starter spot.

The right-hander threw four shutout innings against the Brewers on March 14, allowing two hits and walk, striking out two.

Here’s how the three fifth-starter candidates have done so far:

Bolsinger: 9 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 SO, 2 ER
Zach Lee: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 4 ER
Brandon Beachy: 7 IP, 8 H, 7 BB, 2 SO, 6 ER

However, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on Saturday that Beachy was dealing with a sore arm and will rest for a few days while being evaluated. Beachy told Gurnick today that it’s mild tendinitis and he doesn’t believe it’s too serious.

Scott Van Slyke was originally in today’s lineup at first base against the Padres, but was scratched due to a sore right hip flexor. Gurnick reported on Twitter that Van Slyke will rest one or two days.

Andre Ethier taken for X-rays — day to day with leg contusion

By Jon Weisman

On March 18, 2016

In Health/injuries

[mlbvideo id=”557684583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers held their breath as left fielder and increasingly impressive leadoff hitter Andre Ethier went to get X-rays on his right leg.

Ethier, who hit the first pitch of today’s 11-8 loss to Arizona for a single up the middle, went down in the fourth inning after fouling a pitch off his shin. After being visited at home plate by manager Dave Roberts and head athletic trainer Neal Rampe, Ethier stayed in the game long enough to witness a wild pitch and draw a walk — then left for pinch-runner Rico Noel.

Ethier limped noticeably as he went back to the dugout. Minutes later, Ethier was driven to the clubhouse by cart, and then taken for further examination.

Update: The Dodgers announced tonight that X-rays on Ethier’s leg were negative, and that he is day to day with a lower leg contusion.

In case you missed it: Ethier leadoff experiment, step one

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Minor leagues, Postgame, Spring Training

Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

In discussing potential Dodger leadoff hitters last week, I hesitated to include Andre Ethier because he had never done so in a regular-season game – but I decided to do so anyway, because against right-handers, it makes sense.

Sure enough, Ethier grabbed a leadoff spot in today’s 7-3 Dodger victory over Colorado, walking and singling in his first two at-bats.

Dave Roberts told reporters today that Ethier could bat leadoff when the matchup is favorable.

What else can I tell you?

Hyun-Jin Ryu is not going to pitch in Cactus League play and is doubtful to return to Major League action before June, Dave Roberts said today.
Zach Lee retired the first eight batters he faced in a 3 1/3-inning performance, allowing a run on four baserunners with one strikeout.
Julio Urias gave up a run in his first inning of relief, but retired the final four batters in his two-inning outing.
In his second Cactus League game, Justin Turner went 1 for 3 with an error.
Elian Herrera and Trayce Thompson both scored on the same wild pitch in the eighth inning.
Some interesting data from Tony Blengino at Fangraphs supports a big 2016 season for Yasmani Grandal. In his first Cactus League game since March 9, Grandal singled and walked.
Outfield prospect Alex Verdugo did a Q&A with Jim Callis of MLB.com.
Dustin Nosler of Dodgers Digest rated Dodger minor leaguers according to best tools.
Frank Sinatra Jr., who sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium several times, most recently in September as part of the centennial celebration of his father, has passed away at age 72. Tommy Lasorda expressed his sadness this evening. “Like his father, Frank Jr. brought us much joy with his unbelievable musical talent,” Lasorda said. “Last season, Frank Jr. sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium on my birthday. What a voice! Frank Jr. was a great and lovely family man. He will be missed dearly.”
For a brief moment this morning, it looked like Dodger Stadium was going the Calvinball route …

Dodger Stadium looks great, and the intriguing second pitchers' mound near first base is even more exciting! pic.twitter.com/o8WJnLW1pc

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2016

Kendrick returns as DH, Barnes starts at second base

By Jon Weisman

On March 15, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Dodgers at White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Howie Kendrick, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Chase Utley, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Austin Barnes, 2B
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

Howie Kendrick is starting today for the Dodgers, but their second baseman is Austin Barnes.

Kendrick, who has been nursing groin tenderness, is making his third Cactus League appearance and first since March 5. He will be the designated hitter, while the Dodgers further test out No. 3 catcher Barnes as a multi-position option.

It’s no secret that Barnes has potential to help the Dodgers at second and third base as well as catcher. Last year, he became the 11th player to play all three positions in his Dodger career.

Only Derrel Thomas, who caught five games as a Dodger, and Lew Ritter have played at least five games at all three positions, so Barnes could break new ground in 2016 if he gets the opportunity.

By the way, one of the 11 Dodgers to have played second base, third base and catcher is 100-year-old Mike Sandlock, who is currently the oldest living former MLB player.

Justin Turner has slick return to game action

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

Justin Turner’s 2016 Cactus League debut could hardly have gone better.

In the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory over Milwaukee today, Turner — playing his first Spring Training game following offseason surgery on his left knee — doubled in a run and scored in the first inning and made a clean defensive play at third base in the second inning. In the third, Turner walked, then scored all the way from first base on an Adrian Gonzalez double, sliding smoothly at home plate.

“I’m still standing,” said Turner, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. “Everything is a test to see how I feel on both sides of the ball. I had a little extra adrenaline with the fans in the stands. I was anxious to get back out there in a real game. Playing on the back fields is good to get the work in, but it’s not the same adrenaline and intensity with the fans in the stands. I felt great. Ran, slid into home, dove for a ball. Everything felt fine.”

Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has more. Assuming Turner has no ill after-affects Tuesday, he should return to game action Wednesday.

Justin Turner makes Cactus League debut today

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Spring Training

Brewers at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Micah Johnson, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Austin Barnes, C
Alex Guerrero, DH
Trayce Thompson, CF
Charlie Culberson, SS
Rico Noel, LF
(Mike Bolsinger, P)

By Jon Weisman

The Iced Man cometh.

In the Dodgers’ 13th Cactus League game of 2016, Justin Turner will make his first appearance.

Turner, who has been recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to play approximately five innings at third base.

The 31-year-old Turner made it back into the lineup exactly three weeks before Opening Day at San Diego.

Alex Guerrero, who pinch-hit Sunday in his first game in eight days, gets his first start in that span at designated hitter.

Today’s game is preceded by a “B” game, slated to go no more than five innings, in which Scott Kazmir of the Dodgers is pitchinh against Chris Sale of the White Sox. Yasmani Grandal, who has been sidelined with a forearm contusion, is catching Kazmir.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Health/injuries (Page 8 of 33)

Grandal, Kendrick set to begin rehab assignments

Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia clinch spots on 25-man roster

Alex Guerrero to begin season on disabled list

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

The Dodgers and ‘The Arm’

In case you missed it: Ex-Dodger moves forward from tragedy

In case you missed it: Bolsinger won’t start opening week

Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture

No. 5 starter on light duty at season’s outset

Kazmir and Bolsinger under watchful eyes

Andre Ethier taken for X-rays — day to day with leg contusion

In case you missed it: Ethier leadoff experiment, step one

Kendrick returns as DH, Barnes starts at second base

Justin Turner has slick return to game action

Justin Turner makes Cactus League debut today

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