Health/injuries – Page 5 – Dodger Thoughts

On July 7, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Hyun-Jin Ryu said after tonight’s big-league comeback start that he felt no problems physically with his surgically repaired shoulder, and is focusing on improving the results.

“Overall, I felt really great, (though) I gave up the runs,” Ryu said. “My shoulder felt great. I didn’t see any issues.”

“As I threw more, I was feeling better mentally,” he added. “I don’t think there were any uncomfortable pitches. I was pretty much happy with my control. … I just have to get better. ”

Ryu conceded that he is hoping his fastball speed will increase as he gets more work in.

“Compared to when I was healthy, of course my velocity is a little down,” he said. “Again, as I play more games, I think (I’ll improve).”

Seeing Ryu take a Major League mound again “was a victory in itself,” Dave Roberts said.

Kershaw, Ethier, Anderson quicken recovery progress

On July 6, 2016

Orioles at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Chronically the last team to count their chickens before they hatch, the Dodgers nevertheless feel upbeat about the latest progress from Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson and Andre Ethier in their injury rehab.

Kershaw and Anderson, each recovering from different back ailments — Anderson’s required surgery in March, Kershaw’s an epidural last week — played catch in left field this morning, “which is exciting and encouraging for all of us,” Dave Roberts said.

No return timetable has been outlined for Kershaw, but Roberts said that the clearance to play catch came ahead of schedule.

‘Put me in,’ said McCarthy — and Dodgers agreed

On July 2, 2016

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

If you’re wondering whether the Dodgers fast-tracked Brandon McCarthy’s final furlong of Tommy John rehab because of their current injury crisis, that’s not the case.

It is fair to say, though, McCarthy’s readiness timed out well with the Dodgers’ needs.

“This is right where I wanted to be,” McCarthy said today, about 21 hours before his 2016 debut. “I was the one who said, ‘Let’s go.’ I felt that I had gotten to a place with my stuff and feeling-wise that I felt confident about being here, and if there was a need for me, I said, ‘Put me in.’ ”

Brandon McCarthy to start Sunday for Dodgers

On July 1, 2016

Brandon McCarthy throws during Spring Training in February. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Brandon McCarthy throws at Spring Training in February. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Alongside Yosuke Nakajima, McCarthy leaves his final 2015 start.

By Jon Weisman

Brandon McCarthy is starting Sunday for the Dodgers. Not the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Not another Dodgers farm team. The Los Angeles Dodgers.

McCarthy last pitched for the Dodgers on April 25, 2015, shortly before he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The expectation at the time was that he would be out until July 2016, and here we are.

Dave Roberts, who revealed the McCarthy news today, said there is no specific pitch limit on McCarthy, who turns 33 on July 7. In his fourth and most recent rehab start, McCarthy went five innings and 72 pitches for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He’ll be on five days’ rest

“He’s a full go,” Roberts said. “We kind of sped it up a little bit because of the circumstances, but Brandon’s excited about getting back and being active, and we expect him to pitch well on Sunday.

“With the circumstance of what happened to Kersh in Pittsburgh, we figured we had some options. In talking to Brandon and figuring out where he’s at, with this trade, things kind of fell in line with his start date.”

Julio Urías, whose turn in the rotation was to come Sunday, will instead make an Independence Day start on five days’ rest.

Joc Pederson joins Kershaw on 15-day disabled list

On July 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson and Clayton Kershaw have officially been placed on the 15-day disabled list, with Will Venable returning from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Pederson’s spot on the 25-man roster, and Bud Norris coming onto the team for Kershaw.

Pederson is second on the Dodgers with 16 doubles, 13 homers, 31 walks, a .476 slugging percentage, .342 weighted on-base average and 116 weighted runs created. The 24-year-old hasn’t played since crashing into the outfield wall Tuesday at Milwaukee and suffering a sprained right AC (acromioclavicular) joint.

Clayton Kershaw to avoid back surgery

On June 30, 2016

Here’s the Dodgers’ official update on injured ace Clayton Kershaw:

Yesterday, Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins Jr. in Los Angeles after experiencing low back discomfort. Following an MRI, it was determined that he has a mild disc herniation that will not require surgery. We will know more about his recovery time at a later date.

Tomorrow, it is expected that he will be officially be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Dave Roberts confirmed in Milwaukee after today’s 8-1 victory that newly acquired Bud Norris will start for the Dodgers in their homestand opener Friday.

— Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw heads to 15-day disabled list

On June 30, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Transactions

Clayton Kershaw pitches to Bryce Harper on June 20. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw will finish the first half of the 2016 MLB season on the 15-day disabled list, Dave Roberts told reporters today.

Roberts said before today’s game in Milwaukee that Kershaw received an epidural in his lower back Wednesday after flying back early to Los Angeles. The Dodgers have not yet chosen who will take his scheduled Friday start, though Carlos Frias is a leading internal candidate if the Dodgers essentially decide to make it a bullpen game. A roster move has not officially been announced.

Dodgers place Kiké Hernandez on disabled list

On June 29, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Kiké Hernández has been placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June 28) with left rib cage inflammation by the Dodgers, who also transferred Alex Wood from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Tonight’s starting pitcher, Brock Stewart, will take their spots on the active and 40-man rosters.

Joc Pederson injured after crashing into wall

On June 28, 2016

In Health/injuries, Midgame

[mlbvideo id=”869527283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson might have saved the game at the price of his health when he crashed into the outfield wall at Milwaukee in the eighth inning tonight.

Clayton Kershaw having back examined in Los Angeles

On June 28, 2016

Dodgers at Brewers, 5:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Chris Taylor, 3B
Julio Urías, P
Note: Days off for Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner, both of whom are expected to play Wednesday.

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw is returning to Los Angeles early to visit team doctors about lower back soreness he is experiencing, Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters before tonight’s game in Milwaukee.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com noted Monday, Roberts said that Kershaw has been dealing with some stiffness the past few weeks.

Frankie Montas has another rib injury

On June 24, 2016

Frankie Montas signed autographs with Yasiel Puig at FanFest in January. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, who seemed to moving fast toward at least a temporary spot in the Dodger starting rotation a week ago, has re-aggravated a stress reaction in his rib, the Dodgers said today.

The team added he will undergo further diagnostic testing, and no timeframe has yet been given for his return.

The 23-year-old Montas, who missed the start of the 2016 season because of surgery to remove a rib in February, has 22 strikeouts in 16 minor-league innings since his return, with a 2.25 ERA. He fanned 20 in 15 innings after making his MLB debut last year with the White Sox, before he came to Los Angeles in the trade that included Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson.

Side note: Ross Stripling is back in action, throwing three innings in an Arizona League game Thursday.

Yasiel Puig activated from DL, Carlos Frias optioned

On June 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

As expected, the Dodgers activated Yasiel Puig from the disabled list today, with right-hander Carlos Frias returning to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Puig went 5 for 12 with a homer in five rehab games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last week. He and his strained left hamstring went on the disabled list June 3 with a .283 on-base percentage and .360 slugging percentage this year.

Frias did not appear in either game for which he was eligible following his Sunday promotion. The move makes it likely that Kenta Maeda will start Friday at Pittsburgh for the Dodgers on four days’ rest, followed by Clayton Kershaw and Scott Kazmir.

Vin Scully to rest sore throat at home tonight

On June 21, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Vin Scully said during Monday’s Dodger broadcast that he wanted to broadcast the duel between Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg “so badly” that he pushed himself to work despite a sore throat. Though that matchup didn’t materialize, Kershaw didn’t disappoint, pitching the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory.

Tonight, however, Scully will give himself a night off to rest his golden voice. Charley Steiner and Orel Hershiser will provide play-by-play and color on SportsNet LA, and Rick Monday and Kevin Kennedy will call the game on AM 570.

To paraphrase Scully, he is day to day, and we’ll know if he’s coming back to work Wednesday, Wednesday.

Before tonight’s game, Kenley Jansen will be honored for breaking the franchise saves record, and former record-holder Eric Gagne is scheduled to participate in the ceremony.

Stephen Strasburg suddenly strained, scratched

On June 20, 2016