Health/injuries – Page 16 – Dodger Thoughts

On February 17, 2015

Manny Mota and Pedro Guerrero before Old-Timers Day at Dodger Stadium in June 2013. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Manny Mota called from the Dominican Republic to say that he saw Pedro Guerrero, who is recovering from minor bleeding in the brain, at the hospital today for a 10-minute visit.

“Pedro’s doing fine, doing much better,” Mota said. “He’s very alert. He sounds good; he’s in a good mood.”

Mota said that Guerrero’s doctor has told him he should be ready to go home in about two or three days. Guerrero also said thanks for all the attention and concern people have had on his behalf.

In case you missed it: Vin Scully chased by giant clam

On February 5, 2015

In Front office, Health/injuries, History, In case you missed it

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By Jon Weisman

If you didn’t get to hear Vin Scully at FanFest on Saturday, above is a special video capturing his words, where you can hear about his nightmare of “being chased by a giant clam screaming ‘Linguine!'” That’s right.

And now for more news about us mortals …

Rehabbing from two surgeries, Chris Withrow is hoping to make it back to a Major League mound sometime in 2015, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. “When I began tossing Nov. 2, my arm felt incredible,” Withrow said. “But you know the back has bothered me off and on for years and it had gotten significantly worse. We just felt it made sense to get it taken care of as long as I was already out.”
Joel Peralta had a customs nightmare in Miami that prevented him from attending FanFest, writes J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
The Jaime Jarrin Scholarship is being established by Servite High School in Anaheim for Latino students with leadership potential. “I feel extremely and humbly honored,” the Hall of Fame announcer said.
In a chat, Bill James suggested the 1942 Dodgers as the best second-place team of all time. His explanation:

The ’42 Dodgers went 104-50, but finished 2 games behind the Cardinals. You know, mathematically, one team in 8,000 should be strong at all 13 positions (8 regulars, 4 starters, relief pitchers). Since there are only about one-third that many teams in baseball history, then probably there should be no team that is above-average at every position–and, in fact, there isn’t, although I think one can argue for one of the Yankee teams of the 1990s. Anyway, there isn’t, but the 1942 Dodgers are very close to being strong at every position, with Hall of Famers at second (Billy Herman), third (Arky Vaughan), short (Pee Wee Reese) and in left field (Medwick). Their first baseman was Camilli–1941 MVP. In center field was Pete Reiser, an outstanding player for a couple of years; in right field was Dixie Walker, who had something close to Hall of Fame ability, athough his career was broken up at the start by a serious injury and fouled at the end by his infamous role in the Jackie Robinson story. Anyway, 7 really good starters; the 8th was catcher Mickey Owen, who was a good player. Starting pitchers Kirby Higbe, Whitlow Wyatt, Curt Davis and Johnny Allen–all of whom had good careers and were effective in 1942, relief ace Hugh Casey. It’s as close to a perfect team as there has ever been. Larry French was the starter/reliever swing man; he went 15-4 with a 1.83 ERA. . ..he also had an outstanding major league career.

In the same chat, James addresses who would win between a team of nine Clayton Kershaws and nine Mike Trouts.
A career retrospective of Buzzie Bavasi at In Pursuit of Pennants comes from Mark Armour and Dan Leavitt, who rank Bavasi the No. 7 general manager in MLB history.

As good as the Dodgers were, Bavasi is perhaps underappreciated because he made fewer trades than his contemporaries. “Why play poker,” he said, “when you’re the only one in the game with any money?” The Dodgers developed their own talent, and Bavasi was rarely called upon to find more.
Carl Erskine will play the National Anthem on his harmonica before Friday’s Pacers-Cavaliers NBA game in Indianapolis. Dana Benbow of the Indianapolis Star has a nice feature on the Dodger great, including stories you probably haven’t heard before.
Dodger senior vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith will join team historian Mark Langill in presenting an insider’s tour of Dodger Stadium, complete with dinner, drinks and a Q&A, on Tuesday for $50, through a special deal with Master Card.
Across the country, Smith will also be giving a talk at the Albany Institute of History & Art on February 22, as part of a special baseball exhibition there. Friend of Dodger Insider and official MLB historian John Thorn will also be speaking there on Sunday.
“The Story of Billy Bean,” a one-hour documentary hosted by Bob Costas about former the one-time Dodger’s experience as one of two MLB players to publicly come out as gay, will premiere Tuesday at 6 p.m. on MLB Network. At one point, Bean talks about being sent down to the minors on the same day in 1995 that his partner died.

A healthy Joe Wieland is eager to move forward with the Dodgers

On January 30, 2015

In Health/injuries, Profiles

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By Jon Weisman

Joe Wieland has already made it back. More than two years after July 2012 Tommy John surgery, the 6-foot-3 righthander pitched in four games for the San Diego Padres this past September, including an 84-pitch start September 24 that gave him his first big-league win.

The kinks, literally and figuratively, have been worked out, and having come to Los Angeles alongside Yasmani Grandal in the de facto three-way trade with the Padres and Philadelphia, Wieland is completely ready to take on 2015 as one of the new members of the Dodger pitching staff.

Garrett Gould, Ross Stripling on road back from Tommy John surgery

On January 10, 2015

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By Jon Weisman

Right-handed pitching prospect Garrett Gould, the Dodgers’ second-round draft choice in 2009, had Tommy John surgery in November but said “everything is going great” with his recovery.

“I’ve just about gotten all of my range of motion back, so now I’m trying to strengthen my arm and get it moving again,” Gould said Friday. “It’s been tough knowing that I might not play baseball at all this year, but it’s something I try not to think about. Right now I’m just trying to do what my trainers ask and work hard every day to get back on the field as soon as possible.”

Gould never really got untracked in 2014, finishing his season in June with a 7.34 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings.

“I’m not sure exactly (when it happened), but I knew something was wrong for a little while,” Gould said, “but I thought it was something that I could pitch through and be all right.”

“I started my rehab down in Arizona with our trainers, and now I’m doing it at a place back home in Wichita,” he said. “I’ll be heading back to Arizona at the start of February to continue it down there with our trainers.”

Ross Stripling (68) works out at Spring Training in 2014. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Ross Stripling (68) works out at Spring Training in February 2014. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

During his time in Arizona, Gould has crossed paths with minor-league teammate Ross Stripling, who had Tommy John surgery in April. The 25-year-old Stripling, who had a 2.78 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 94 innings for Double-A Chattanooga in 2013, said that he has done the majority of his rehab in Frisco, Texas — in the Dallas metropolitan area.

Chris Withrow’s rehab is for the faint of heart

On November 1, 2014

Chris Withrow joined in the Dodgers’ NL West title celebration September 24 (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

This got lost in the September shuffle, but here’s a story about the time Chris Withrow nearly passed out.

A.J. Ellis’ bat comes to life

On October 4, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postseason, Pregame

For more Saturday photos, visit LA Photog Blog.

Cardinals at Dodgers, 6:37 p.m.
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Jon Jay, CF
Matt Holliday, LF
Matt Adams, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Yadier Molina, C
Kolten Wong, 2B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Lance Lynn, P

Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

As odd as it might be in October, A.J. Ellis is in his best physical shape of the year.

That helps account for the smashing game he had in Friday’s National League Division Series opener.

Ellis singled in the second and third innings, pounded a two-run homer in the sixth that at the time seemed to put the game away, and then even started the Dodgers’ near-comeback in the ninth with his fourth hit of the game.

The night gave Ellis a .450 on-base percentage and .722 slugging percentage in 41 career postseason plate appearances.

Don Mattingly discussed the 33-year-old catcher’s season before tonight’s game …

Hyun-Jin Ryu cleared to start NLDS Game 3

On October 2, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postseason

By Jon Weisman

Hyun-Jin Ryu reported no ill effects from his simulated game Wednesday, and Don Mattingly today announced him as the starting pitcher for National League Division Series Game 3 in St. Louis on Monday.

Mattingly said that there would be no pitch limit beyond the usual “100-110” for Ryu, who came back from a similar shoulder issue in May and threw 89 pitches over six innings in New York.

Ryu himself told reporters today that he feels better now than he did for that New York start.

Mattingly also confirmed that Dan Haren is scheduled to start Game 4, though the rest of the world is mindful that Clayton Kershaw pitched the first and fourth games of the 2013 NLDS. Neither Mattingly nor Kershaw, of course, would engage in any discussion that he might step in this year, but Kershaw did acknowledge that “last year I was fine with it” physically.

In addition, Mattingly said that the Dodgers are “98-99 percent” done determining their NLDS roster, but discussions were not finished. He did say that pitchers Kevin Correia and Chris Perez have been told they won’t be on it.

Hyun-Jin Ryu throws 45 pitches in simulated game

On October 1, 2014

From the Dodgers:

Dodger left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a 45 pitch, 3.0-inning simulated game this afternoon on the mound at Dodger Stadium. Ryu was at his normal velocity and used all of his pitches with no problems before, during or after with his shoulder. He will be re-examined tomorrow to determine how the shoulder responded. Ryu faced several Dodger hitters, including Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, Dee Gordon and Scott Van Slyke.

— Jon Weisman

Business before pleasure on the season’s final day

On September 28, 2014

For more photos from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Rockies at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Darwin Barney, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Miguel Rojas, 3B
Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Bullet points seem like a nice way to go for Game 162.

Don Mattingly said everyone is optimistic that Dee Gordon, who left Saturday’s game with a sore hip and had an MRI, would be ready Friday for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Hanley Ramirez had no ill effects today after fouling a ball off his knee Saturday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu had a successful bullpen session today. Assuming no setbacks Monday, he would be set for a midweek simulated game and on track to start Game 3 of the NLDS on October 6.
Mattingly was a bit coy about what manager-for-the-day Juan Uribe would actually do today, but one thing he was clear about was that nothing would be done to embarrass any players or umpires. Any arguments, for example, Mattingly will handle. But while Uribe will be given guidelines about who to play and for how long, it does appear strategic decisions will be left in Uribe’s hands. Uribe himself will not play.
Similarly, pitching coach du jour Clayton Kershaw will have a schedule of who is supposed to get work behind Zack Greinke, but he presumably will be the one going to the mound to make any moves or talk shop.
Kershaw himself threw about 30-odd pitches in a simulated game to keep himself fresh.
Mattingly joked that he was going to check to see if he and Uribe would be switching salaries for the day.
Going into play today, Gordon led the MLB stolen-base race by eight and in triples by two. Adrian Gonzalez led Mike Trout in the drive for the big-league RBI crown by two. Stephen Strasburg and Johnny Cueto did end up passing Kershaw on the NL strikeout list.

If you’re looking to invest in combo vending machines, check out Royal Vending Canberra’s products and services on their website.

Hanley Ramirez has right elbow strain

On September 16, 2014

For more highlights from Monday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Justin Turner, SS
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Hanley Ramirez was a late scratch from tonight’s Dodger starting lineup with a right elbow strain.

According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Ramirez has been getting treatment on the elbow since the Giants series.

Even so, Ramirez went 2 for 4 in Monday’s 11-3 Dodger victory at Colorado, and is 16 for 36 with a .500 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage in his past 10 games.

It’s another wild night for the Dodger offense

On September 15, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

For the second time in three nights, the Dodgers showed off some bench-clearing brawn.

An eight-run sixth inning, the Dodgers’ biggest single-frame scoring outburst of the season, allowed the Dodgers to rest their starters again in what became an 11-3 victory at Colorado.

With 32 runs in their past three games, Los Angeles reduced its magic number for clinching a National League playoff spot to five and the NL West title to 10 – and stood to whittle off another digit with San Francisco losing to Arizona in the eighth inning, 6-2. Washington remained a half-game ahead of the Dodgers, who have won eight of their past 10 games, for the best record in the NL.

Justin Turner’s pinch-hit, two-run double with somewhere between two and four runners on base broke a 3-3 tie, and the Dodgers poured it on thereafter.

The NL’s best-hitting team with runners in scoring position finished the game 8 for 18 in those situations.

Matt Kemp got the Dodgers on the board in the first inning with a two-run home run. Juan Uribe had three hits, while Dee Gordon, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez each had two. Carl Crawford became the second Dodger in three nights to be hit by two pitches.

In 30 days of June, the #Dodgers hit 13 home runs. In 15 days of September, the Dodgers have 17 home runs.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 16, 2014

Gonzalez leapfrogged injured Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to take the NL lead in RBI. Gonzalez would be the third Los Angeles Dodger to lead the NL in RBI, after Tommy Davis (1962) and Matt Kemp (2011).

A big moment in the game might be forgotten in the short term but could be meaningful in the long. Paco Rodriguez pitched in his first game since August 3, relieving Roberto Hernandez with the bases loaded and two out, and induced an inning-ending groundout.

Earlier Monday, the Dodgers confirmed following an MRI that Hyun-Jin Ryu would miss his next start, but they are optimistic he’ll be ready to go for any playoff games. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more.

Notebook: Three weeks to go …

On September 8, 2014

For more photo highlights from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Padres at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCVI: Kershawffice Space
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

I’m starting today’s pregame notebook with perhaps the least relevant note, but today before batting practice, Erisbel Arruebarrena and Alex Guerrero were practicing 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double plays, and they put on a show in my eyes.

Arruebarrena has had some recent injury issues, but he was healthy today and back to showing as quick a release after fielding a grounder as you’ll ever see. And I know Guerrero doesn’t have as great a reputation at second base, but he looked smooth on the turn to me.

Of course, what do I know? For one thing, there weren’t any actual baserunners bearing down on Arruebarrena and Guerrero, but Don Mattingly agreed that they looked good, so there’s that.

In other notes:

The Dodgers have definitely benefited from the month that Clayton Kershaw missed, Mattingly said, in terms of being fresh for the stretch run and able to go longer in games.
Zack Greinke had no issues after Sunday’s six-inning start, Mattingly said.
Carlos Frias is not expected to start another game for the Dodgers this year, and Mattingly said that Frias’ two shutout innings Sunday in relief explains why — there’s increasing viability for him to become a more integral part of the bullpen. “First inning he comes in, he pretty much attacks, throws strikes, gets three outs and then he’s able to go back out,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had some kind of middle-innings issues of where to go at certain times, so he could be a valuable guy right there where he was at yesterday.”
Sixteen of Frias’ past 17 innings have been scoreless, with only three hits and one walk in those 16 frames. Only blemish: three runs in his fourth inning of work August 24 vs. the Mets.
Onelki Garcia is healthy and a contender to see MLB game action before this season is over. Garcia, who made his big-league debut on September 11, 2013 but had two offseason surgeries, pitched a shutout inning for Chattanooga in their Southern League semifinal-round victory Sunday.
Injured reliever Paco Rodriguez threw on flat ground and is moving forward again.
Three weeks and 19 games remain in the regular season. The Dodgers’ magic number is 17, but in reality, 15 victories would guarantee the title because of the number of games they play against second-place San Francisco. (Thanks to Bob Timmermann for the note.)

Dodgers add speedy outfielder Bernadina to bench

On September 6, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

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Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers added an extra outfielder and perhaps more importantly, a pinch-runner, in bringing up Roger Bernadina from Triple-A Albuquerque.

The 34th player on the active roster, the 30-year-old Bernadina has stolen 59 out of 71 bases (83.1 percent) in a 539-game Major League career, as well 204 out of 261 (78.2 percent) in the minors. A reserve with the Isotopes this year who started the year with Cincinnati, Bernadina had a .380 on-base percentage and .351 slugging percentage in 71 plate appearances.

Bernadina has also played more than 1,000 innings in center field in his career. He was signed to a minor-league deal in July.

Speaking of center field, Yasiel Puig is suffering from a stomach ailment, according to manager Don Mattingly, who moved Joc Pederson back into the starting lineup. Mattingly said that the Dodgers would learn later today whether Puig would be available off the bench.

Mattingly said he chose Pederson over Andre Ethier for defensive reasons, adding that he loves Ethier and knows that being relegated to the bench is not a great situation for him, but that there are only so many spots available.

Josh Beckett out for 2014, delays retirement decision

On September 5, 2014