Transactions – Page 3 – Dodger Thoughts

(Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Andrew Friedman, on the decision to trade A.J. Ellis to Philadelphia in a deal for Carlos Ruiz (via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com):

“It was a tough decision on a personal level,” Friedman said. “From a baseball standpoint, we felt Carlos fit our team extremely well. I can go on and on about A.J. and his attributes and what he brings to a team, and if Carlos didn’t possess similar things, we wouldn’t have made the move. In terms of leadership ability, ability to call a game and run a pitching staff, Carlos rates extremely well in those things and has experience in what he brings to the lineup against left-handed pitching, which (we) focused on as an area we wanted to improve.”

Read the entire story here.

— Jon Weisman

Shawn Zarraga to back up at catcher tonight, while Scott Van Slyke is moved to 60-day DL

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Rob Segedin, RF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

With Carlos Ruiz not arriving from the Phillies until Friday, Shawn Zarraga will come from Triple-A Oklahoma City tonight to serve as the Dodgers’ backup catcher.

Scott Van Slyke, who went on the 15-day disabled list August 9, has been moved to the 60-day DL to make room for Zarraga on the 40-man roster, which means Van Slyke will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.

Relief pitcher Luis Avilan has been optioned to Oklahoma City to make room on the 25-man roster for Zarraga.

In addition, Rob Segedin has been reinstated from the paternity list after missing Wednesday’s game, and will start tonight in right field.

The 27-year-old Zarraga would be making his Major League debut if he gets in the game tonight. He has a .348 on-base percentage this year in a season split between Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa. Los Angeles acquired him in December 2014.

Oklahoma City’s Austin Barnes, normally next in line for the Dodgers at catcher, has been sidelined since Tuesday after getting hit by a pitch in the hand.

Also: With an eye toward a September return, Andre Ethier begins his rehab assignment tonight with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

A.J. Ellis talks about his farewell from Dodgers

In Transactions

A.J. Ellis spoke to reporters shortly after receiving the news of being traded to Philadelphia. The audio can be played above.

— Jon Weisman

Thank you, @AJEllis17! #ThankYouAJ pic.twitter.com/7JQMgWF8P6

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2016

A.J. Ellis heads to Phillies in Carlos Ruiz trade

In Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Interview: A.J. Ellis speaks about his departure from the Dodgers.

By Jon Weisman

In an exchange of catchers that will mark the end of an era in Los Angeles, A.J. Ellis has been sent to the Phillies in a trade for Carlos Ruiz.

Ellis, minor-league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later or cash considerations will go to Philadelphia in exchange for Ruiz and cash considerations.

Rich Hill activated, Rob Segedin on paternity leave

On August 24, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

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

By Jon Weisman

The moment has arrived for Rich Hill, who has officially been activated from the disabled list to start tonight for the first time as a Dodger.

Mike Petriello of MLB.com has a good piece today outlining Hill’s virtues and why the Dodgers sought him out, even though they knew his debut would be delayed.

Rob Segedin’s placement on the paternity list created the roster opening for Hill’s activation. MLB paternity leave lasts from one to three games.

Hill’s only career appearance at Dodger Stadium came on May 27, 2007, when he threw six shutout innings for the Cubs, who lost in 11 innings, 2-1 (on Juan Pierre’s bases-loaded hit-by-pitch).

In case you missed it: Rob Segedin’s big night

On August 24, 2016

In In case you missed it, Transactions

Welcome to the world Robinson Marley! Born August 23rd at 11:36pm. Weighing in at 6 lb 14 oz and 20.5 inches long! Mommy and baby are doing great!

A post shared by Rob Segedin (@robsegedin) on Aug 24, 2016 at 12:52am PDT

By Jon Weisman

It’s been a whirlwind in Dodger land lately, and for no one more than Rob Segedin, who not only hit his first two homers in the Majors on consecutive days, but also became a father late Monday.

Segedin and Andrew Toles became the first teammates in Major League history to hit their first two MLB homers in the same two consecutive games, according to Elias Sports. Here are their combined stats as Dodgers:

Doug Padilla has more on the Segedin saga at ESPN.com.

Let’s catch up some other things …

Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir placed on DL

On August 23, 2016

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Rob Segedin, RF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Kenta Maeda, P
Note: Clayton Kershaw had a 41-pitch bullpen session today. Read more at MLB.com.

By Jon Weisman

Starting pitchers Brett Anderson (blister, left index finger) and Scott Kazmir have both been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Dodgers, who in a trio of transactions have also optioned reliever Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Anderson is returning to the disabled list after having been activated August 14, while Kazmir becomes the Dodgers’ National League record 27th player on the DL this year.

Taking their place on the active roster will be right-hander Ross Stripling, lefty reliever Luis Avilan and infielder Charlie Culberson, who is starting at second base tonight.

No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

On August 22, 2016

Dodgers at Reds, 9:35 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Andrew Toles, RF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Reddick was a late scratch from today’s early game at Cincinnati, and the reason instantly came across like a taunt to his detractors — a jammed right middle finger.

Reddick is available off the bench, according to Dave Roberts, though it could be until at least Wednesday when he starts next, considering that lefty ace Madison Bumgarner is starting Tuesday for the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

But in the meantime, it’s another setback in what has been anything but a storybook chapter in Los Angeles for Reddick. Three weeks into his Dodger career, Reddick has one extra-base hit and a .211 on-base percentage. Combined with the absence of fellow former Oaklander Rich Hill from the starting rotation, judgment has rained down on the trade that sent Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas to the A’s for the pair.

It’s reasonable to expect more immediate impact from a trade specifically designed to boost the Dodgers’ pennant chances, particularly when the two players are free agents at the end of the year, than the Dodgers have gotten. But consider these counterpoints:

Andrew Toles recalled, Chris Taylor optioned

On August 21, 2016

Dodgers at Reds, 10:10 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Andrew Toles, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers shifted one of their bench spots from right to left, calling up left-handed outfielder Andrew Toles from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning right-handed infielder Chris Taylor.

Toles, who will allow Howie Kendrick a rest today in left field, has a .395 on-base percentage and the same slugging percentage in 43 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year. Since he was most recently optioned August 3, he was producing at a .348/.565 rate in Triple-A.

Taylor has a .271 OBP and .382 slugging in 59 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year, including the July 15 game when he doubled, tripled and hit a grand slam. He went 0 for 3 Saturday in his first start since July 31,

The Dodgers didn’t make any moves on the pitching side today. despite back-to-back 3 2/3-inning starts from Bud Norris and Brett Anderson to start the series in Cincinnati. At right, the chart shows the recent pitch counts of Dodger relievers.

Kenley Jansen had the rare event of appearing in a game without throwing a pitch. He was officially entered into Saturday’s seventh inning when the rain delay arrived, but replaced by Joe Blanton when play resumed.

Dave Roberts gave a quick update on Andre Ethier, telling reporters that Ethier is hitting off live pitching while on rehab in Arizona and taking balls off the bat in the outfield. Roberts still didn’t have a date for the start of an official rehab assignment, saying that Ethier’s running is at about 75 percent.

Dodgers activate Bud Norris, Adam Liberatore from DL

On August 19, 2016

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Bud Norris and Adam Liberatore have been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, who optioned Ross Stripling and Casey Fien to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Norris, who is starting tonight, has a 4.34 ERA in seven games (six starts) for the Dodgers, including his most recent appearance July 31, when he left after facing two batters.

Dodgers activate Casey Fien from disabled list

On August 16, 2016

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Casey Fien has been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, who optioned Brock Stewart to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the roster.

Fien went on the DL on July 19 with elbow tendonitis, following a stretch in which he allowed six runs (including four home runs) in 3 2/3 innings. Before that, Fien had a 1.96 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings as a Dodger.

Stewart allowed a run in three innings after relieving Brett Anderson in the second inning Sunday against Pittsburgh. It was Stewart’s first big-league relief appearance after two starts.

The Dodgers also released Zach Walters, who had been designated for assignment Sunday.

Brandon McCarthy, Josh Ravin placed on disabled list

On August 14, 2016

Pirates at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Brett Anderson, P

By Jon Weisman

As expected, Brandon McCarthy has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Dodgers with right hip stiffness. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on the likelihood of this Saturday.

Less expected is the news that reliever Josh Ravin will be joining McCarthy on the DL, because of right triceps soreness. Ravin walked two, threw a wild pitch and struck out one in 2/3 of an inning Saturday.

Those moves make room for the activation of Brett Anderson from the 60-day disabled list for today’s start, as well as the recall of Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Joe Blanton returns, Luis Avilan optioned

On August 12, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Pirates at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

Right-hander Joe Blanton has been reinstated from bereavement leave to the active roster by the Dodgers, who have optioned left-hander Luis Avilan.

Blanton (2.64 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) leads the Dodgers with 54 games and 58 relief innings, but he has been away from the team since Monday.

Avilan has a 5.91 ERA and 1.41 WHIP after allowing three runs while facing four batters in the Dodgers’ 8-5 victory Sunday over Boston. He didn’t pitch in the recently completed Phillies series.

The Dodger bullpen now goes back to having two lefties in J.P. Howell and Grant Dayton. Julio Urías, who turned 20 today, is potentially a third lefty if he isn’t needed in the starting rotation this weekend. Adam Liberatore is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.

Wrist ailment puts Van Slyke on DL, Taylor recalled

On August 9, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

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

By Jon Weisman

Scott Van Slyke is making a second trip to the disabled list this season, this time with right wrist irritation.

Chris Taylor, who had been optioned Sunday to make room for Rob Segedin’s promotion, is reversing field and returning to the active roster.

A lower back irritation previously put Van Slyke on the disabled list from April 12 to June 3. He has a .292 on-base percentage and .314 slugging percentage this year for the Dodgers.

With Joe Blanton on bereavement leave, Josh Ravin recalled