Health/injuries – Page 6 – Dodger Thoughts

In case you missed it: Old glove, new Kershaw

On June 17, 2016

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

By Jon Weisman

In this video clip, Vin Scully talks about how new Dodger outfielder Will Venable is using an actual old glove of Dave Roberts from 2005, seen above.

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Here are some more notes and news from the past week …

Cali Ann’s getting a sibling. Clayton and Ellen Kershaw have a second baby on the way, due in November. Andy McCullough of the Times has the news in this Father’s Day-themed interview with Kershaw, which talks at length about the softening effect parenthood has had on the Dodger ace.
Monday’s nationally televised series-opener (ESPN) against the Washington Nationals figures to match Stephen Strasburg (2.90 ERA) against Clayton Kershaw (1.58 ERA). I’m not into win-loss records, but even a cynic like me about them finds it a little glamorous that the two pitchers are a combined 20-1. Reminder: Strasburg is four months and one day younger than Kershaw.
The Dodgers officially announced the signing of the following draft picks: shortstop Errol Robinson (sixth round), right-hander Andre Scrubb (eighth round), right-hander Dean Kremer (14th round), outfielder Darien Tubbs (16th round), third basemen Brock Carpenter (20th round), right-hander Jeff Paschke (22nd round), second baseman Brandon Montgomery (26th round) and catcher Steve Berman (31st round).
Ross Stripling gave a progress report to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com regarding his current hiatus from game action.
Chad Billingsley said he hasn’t given up, but the former Dodger right-hander, who hasn’t thrown a competitive pitch in 11 months, told Bruce Hefflinger of the Defiance Crescent-News (his hometown newspaper) that it was “most likely” that his career was over.
Scott Radinsky, the one-time Dodger reliever who is the Angels’ bullpen coach, is thankfully recovering from April open-heart surgery after a big scare.
Former Dodger catcher Tim Federowicz was designated for assignment by the Cubs.

Urías starts tonight, but for how much longer?

By Jon Weisman

On June 17, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Tonight’s starting pitcher, Julio Urías, has thrown 58 professional innings this season. Dave Roberts said Thursday that the plan was to give Urias two more starts, then evaluate.

Most interpreted this as Roberts saying that Urías would be shut down in the manner of Ross Stripling, who hasn’t pitched in a game since May. To be clear, though, that wasn’t stated explicitly by Roberts, who simply said, “we’ll go from there.”

Last year, Urías threw 80 1/3, and the year before, a career-high 87 2/3. Even in the unlikely event of two complete games, Urías would still be at 76 innings on the year. Two six-inning outings would put Urías at 70. Presumably, Urías can go incrementally above the 80-plus inning range that he has previously reached.

So the question would be whether it makes sense to use all those innings now, while the Dodgers wait for the return of Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood from the disabled list (and longer down the road, Brett Anderson). Or do they have Urías take the break, and the ramp him up again in the second half of the season, when the rotation might be more crowded — not that there couldn’t be other setbacks.

Line drive knocks Kenta Maeda from game

By Jon Weisman

On June 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Midgame

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By Jon Weisman

On a night the Dodger bats broke out with four home runs to take a 7-4 lead into the eighth inning at Arizona, the celebratory swings were muted by a potentially serious injury to Kenta Maeda.

The good news: X-rays on Maeda’s leg were negative, and the initial diagnosis was a right lower-leg contusion.

In case you missed it: Rehab games for many, but not Ethier

By Jon Weisman

On June 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Minor leagues, Transactions

Andre Ethier poses with former Dodger infielder Mark Ellis prior to Monday’s game.

By Jon Weisman

Some items to catch up on …

Andre Ethier is still in limbo, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. “It’s a little slower than we thought,” Ethier said. “At the eight-week exam, I was expecting to have the OK and go do baseball stuff and slowly progress into running. It was a little bit of a jaw dropper when you get the result. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t healed like I was hoping it was. I had to reassess that it would take a little longer. You always think you can bounce back quicker than you do.”
In his first rehab outing since going on the disabled list June 3, Yasiel Puig grounded out, homered to right center and walked.
Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu came through their weekend rehab starts without issues and remain on schedule for their next appearances — Thursday for McCarthy, Friday for Ryu. McCarthy threw two innings June 11 in his rehab debut. Ryu pitched three innings June 12.
Carl Crawford cleared waivers and was officially released by the Dodgers.
Brock Stewart, the 24-year-old righty who was a sixth-round Dodger draft pick from Illinois State in 2014, made his Triple-A debut Monday for Oklahoma City. Stewart struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and didn’t walk anyone until his final batter, though he allowed two home runs.
Another newcomer to the Oklahoma City starting rotation is 27-year-old righty Nick Tepesch, who was picked up after being released by Texas. Tepesch has made two five-inning starts for Oklahoma City, with a 2.70 ERA and nine strikeouts in 10 innings. He has 219 career big-league innings with a 4.56 ERA.
Frankie Montas isn’t exactly new to Oklahoma City, but he is officially off the Dodgers’ 60-day disabled list and was officially optioned Sunday. With 11 strikeouts against one run in his first 7 2/3 innings (two appearances), Montas has done nothing to discourage speculation that he is on the fast track to Los Angeles. He next pitches Wednesday.
Double-A Tulsa’s Trevor Oaks and Willie Calhoun each won Player of the Week honors, as did Single-A Rancho Cucamonga’s Michael Ahmed, the brother of Arizona’s Nick Ahmed.
Jose Tabata, who was acquired in exchange for barely-a-Dodger Michael Morse last summer, was released June 11 from Oklahoma City. The six-year MLB vet had a .673 OPS in Triple-A this year.

Dave Roberts discusses Justin Turner’s struggle

By Jon Weisman

On June 3, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Braves at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Trayce Thompson, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Justin Turner has again slumped, going 3 for 24 in his past eight games with a double and three walks.

Turner’s batting average has dropped to .225, but Dave Roberts has not dropped him in the Dodger batting order for two reasons: He believes Turner will come out of it, and because even now, his on-base percentage is still .327, roughly identical to those of Trayce Thompson (.333) and Corey Seager (.331).

Nevertheless, Roberts does have a theory about why Turner is struggling.

“When I know Justin is at his best, (it’s) when he’s elevating to the pull side,” Roberts said. “For me, right now there’s too many balls in the air the other way. The contact point’s a little deep, (and) he might be getting underneath the baseball a little bit.

Yasiel Puig’s hamstring remains an issue

By Jon Weisman

On June 2, 2016

In Health/injuries

Pedro Guerrero and Yasiel Puig pose prior to the Dodgers’ May 27 game at New York.

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig is out of today’s starting lineup for the third straight game with a left hamstring problem, and though Dave Roberts told reporters that the right fielder is available to pinch-hit, Scott Van Slyke is also just about ready to come off the disabled list — so there is speculation that they might switch places.

Though Puig has struggled offensively (.646 OPS, .283 weighted on-base average), his improvement defensively is largely responsible for the Dodger outfield emerging as the most improved in baseball, according to Mike Petriello of MLB.com. Fangraphs ranks Puig fourth among National League right fielders in overall defense, and he is first in defensive runs saved.

Van Slyke is 7 for 31 with a double, a home run, three walks and six strikeouts in his eight minor-league rehab games. He also stole a base Thursday.

Urias throwing against Cubs, not being thrown to wolves

By Jon Weisman

On June 2, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Al Bello/Getty Images

Dodgers at Cubs, 11:20 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Julio Urias, P

By Jon Weisman

Without a doubt, there was some surprise — I even shared it — that Julio Urias’ second start would come on the road today against the National League’s current top team, the Chicago Cubs, rather than Friday in Los Angeles against the National League’s current bottom team, the Atlanta Braves.

But some things to keep in mind:

Wood headed to disabled list, Urias returning to Majors

By Jon Weisman

On May 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Alex Wood, whose most recent start was delayed three days because of left triceps soreness, is now going on the 15-day disabled list with left posterior elbow soreness, and 19-year-old Julio Urias is returning to the Dodgers.

Pending any shuffling of the Dodgers’ rotation, Urias would be scheduled to pitch Saturday in Los Angeles against the Braves.

Andre Ethier’s return to be delayed

By Jon Weisman

On May 31, 2016

In Health/injuries

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Andre Ethier’s recovery from a March 18 right tibia fracture has slowed, and his expected June return has been delayed, Dave Roberts told reporters today.

Roberts said that there isn’t much new with Ethier, who hasn’t been running at full body weight. Roberts added that he has exchanged texts with Ethier and that he is anxious to get back to action.

— Jon Weisman

Yimi Garcia transferred to 60-day disabled list

By Jon Weisman

On May 27, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Mets, 4:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Julio Urias, P

By Jon Weisman

Yimi Garcia, who went on the disabled list five weeks ago with right biceps soreness, has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Julio Urias, whose contract was officially purchased by the Dodgers ahead of his MLB debut tonight.

Garcia had a 2.35 ERA in 7 2/3 innings this season when he entered the eighth inning of a game at Colorado with the 5-5 on April 22. In two-thirds of an inning, the 25-year-old righty gave up a walk, single and two-run triple to Brandon Barnes.

Seventeen innings later, what’s new?

By Jon Weisman

On May 23, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Trayce Thompson, preparing for his eight consecutive start, works in the indoor cage before tonight’s game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Reds at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLII: Kershawnhattan
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Here’s a quick update on some of the Dodger newsmakers over the past 24 hours …

Ross Stripling

Getting optioned to the minors after winning Sunday’s game didn’t shock Stripling, who told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo that it was always the plan that he would be optioned around this time — though certainly current circumstances made the decision more obvious.

Stripling added that the plan is for him to throw three innings when he starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to Andy McCullough of the Times.

Dave Roberts said that Stripling could be used in the rotation or out of the bullpen when he returns to Los Angeles.

Adrian Gonzalez returns to lineup

By Jon Weisman

On May 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Trayce Thompson, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez is in the Dodger starting lineup for the first time since Monday, ending his longest absence since.

Gonzalez, who came off the bench in the eighth inning of Friday’s game, went 8 for 21 with a homer, two doubles, three walks and a sacrifice fly (1.059 OPS) from May 10-15, but then left Monday’s game in the sixth inning with lower back pain after going 0 for 3.

The 34-year-old leads the Major Leagues with 1,629 games played since 2006 and hasn’t missed more than six games in a season since his rookie year in 2005.

Frankie Montas begins rehab assignment

By Jon Weisman

On May 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Minor leagues, Pregame

Frankie Montas at Spring Training in February, post-surgery. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Padres, 7:40 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, 1B
A.J. Ellis, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Frankie Montas, the fireballing right-hander acquired with Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson from the White Sox, has been a mostly forgotten man since he had rib resection surgery February 12.

But Montas threw two innings Thursday in an extended Spring Training game Thursday at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers said, and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Tulsa.

A potential starter or reliever, the 23-year-old struck out 108 in 112 innings with a 2.97 ERA for Double-A Birmingham, before striking out 20 in a 15-inning trial with the White Sox. In his last appearance of 2015, he struck out seven in four innings of one-run ball October 4.

Gonzalez day to day, Bolsinger a day away, Thompson no longer on layaway

By Jon Weisman

On May 17, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

With the Dodgers barely halfway through a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, Mike Bolsinger is being called up Wednesday to take a turn in the Dodger starting rotation and give its existing members an extra day of rest, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported late Monday.

Bolsinger will be inserted after Clayton Kershaw takes his scheduled start at Dodger Stadium tonight.

In other news, the Dodgers will learn more today about the lower-back tightness of Adrian Gonzalez, who left Monday’s game after the fifth inning.

In case you missed it: Organizational news and notes

By Jon Weisman

On May 16, 2016

In Community, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Minor leagues, Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”701809583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

There have been several bits of business that I’ve been meaning to get to, so I figured the best solution was to bring back the reliable “In case you missed it” feature from Spring Training to capture them all.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Health/injuries (Page 6 of 33)

In case you missed it: Old glove, new Kershaw

Urías starts tonight, but for how much longer?

Line drive knocks Kenta Maeda from game

In case you missed it: Rehab games for many, but not Ethier

Dave Roberts discusses Justin Turner’s struggle

Yasiel Puig’s hamstring remains an issue

Urias throwing against Cubs, not being thrown to wolves

Wood headed to disabled list, Urias returning to Majors

Andre Ethier’s return to be delayed

Yimi Garcia transferred to 60-day disabled list

Seventeen innings later, what’s new?

Adrian Gonzalez returns to lineup

Frankie Montas begins rehab assignment

Gonzalez day to day, Bolsinger a day away, Thompson no longer on layaway

In case you missed it: Organizational news and notes

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