Dodger Thoughts

#MVPtoASG

Don't stop voting: http://t.co/kFj5qMJvPc pic.twitter.com/T1ywAzNhy7

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 7, 2015

By Jon Weisman

Last year’s National League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award-winner is one of this year’s NL All-Star Game Final Vote candidates.

Despite leading the league in strikeouts, strikeout rate and xFIP and being second in the NL in wins above replacement, Clayton Kershaw’s All-Star chances in 2015 depend on him winning the fan vote for the final spot on the roster.

Voting takes place now through 1 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Click here to vote. you can also vote on Twitter beginning at 7 a.m. Pacific on Friday.

Fans can now begin to vote an unlimited number of times for Kershaw to be the final player selected to the National League’s 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Voting is available online at dodgers.com/vote and, in addition to the web, fans can use their mobile phones to cast votes via text message. To receive the ballot, text the word “VOTE” to 89269 or to vote for a specific player, fans can text the choice to 89269 (Kershaw: N3). Standard message and data rates may apply. Text “STOP” to end and “HELP” for information. Mobile voting in Canada also is available and fans should text their choices to 101010.

Kershaw’s competition is Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, Mets reliever Jeurys Familia, Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez and Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Dodgers are promoting the vote for Kershaw with the hashtag #MVPtoASG. For six hours beginning at 7 a.m. Pacific on Friday, the final day of voting, tweets with that hashtag will also count as votes.

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Dodgers will take it inning by inning with Garcia, Surkamp

By Jon Weisman

On July 6, 2015

In Pitching, Pregame

Phillies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, RF
Yimi Garcia, P
Jimmy Rollins, SS

By Jon Weisman

Flexibility is the name of the game tonight for the Dodgers and their move to start reliever Yimi Garcia tonight, with the plan to bring minor-league starter Eric Surkamp in partway through the game.

“We just thought this was going to give us the best chance (and) the most options to win,” Don Mattingly said, adding that the decision came through conversations with the front office.

Mattingly didn’t say exactly when Surkamp would enter the game, but he joked that Garcia isn’t batting in the No. 8 spot of the order “for his bat.” This is the first time that the Dodgers have a starting pitcher batting eighth since 2009, when it happened eight times, according to Baseball-Reference.com. (On each of those occasions, Juan Pierre batted ninth.)

The Dodgers went 4-4 with their starting pitcher batting eighth. Randy Wolf and Chad Billingsley each had one single.

For his part, Surkamp said today he was told to “be ready for whatever.” He said he would preserve as much of his starting routine as he could.

Gonzalez, Grandal, Greinke and Pederson join NL All-Star roster

By Jon Weisman

On July 6, 2015

In All-Star Game

By Jon Weisman

For the second year in a row, four Dodgers have been named to the National League All-Star team.

Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Zack Greinke and Joc Pederson were selected by a combination of player vote and NL All-Star manager Bruce Bochy. (Pederson and Greinke were by player vote, Gonzalez and Grandal by Bochy.)

As noted Sunday, Greinke and Pederson are each in the running to end up as All-Star Game starters. Greinke is probably the No. 1 alternative to Washington’s Max Scherzer, while Pederson is one of the top candidates to be an injury replacement for either Giancarlo Stanton or Matt Holliday.

Eric Surkamp brought up by Dodgers, but Yimi Garcia will start tonight

By Jon Weisman

On July 6, 2015

In Transactions

Eric Surkamp (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Eric Surkamp has a 3.77 ERA in Triple-A this season. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Eric Surkamp, whom the Dodgers acquired May 23 from the White Sox for minor-leaguer Blake Smith, has been brought up from Triple-A Oklahoma City for tonight’s game for Los Angeles in place of the injured Carlos Frias.

Surkamp will not start, however. Instead, relief pitcher Yimi Garcia will make his first official MLB start, with the Dodgers possibly then playing a platoon switcheroo and bringing Surkamp in for early long relief. It’s possible the Dodgers could even go through tonight’s game without having the pitcher bat, giving them a psuedo-designated hitter.

Garcia has pitched a career-high two innings four times, most recently June 15 against Texas. His career high in pitches for one game is 33, set September 14 against San Diego. His last professional start came in 2011 with Rookie League Ogden.

The 24-year-old hasn’t pitched since July 1, except for a five-pitch outing Saturday. From June 7-27, he had a 0.79 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings, while stranding all five inherited runners. But in three outings since then, Garcia has allowed four runs on five hits in two innings.

Daniel Coulombe has been optioned to Oklahoma City for the sixth time this year, and Paco Rodriguez has moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day to make room for Surkamp on the 40-man roster.

For a variety of health and scheduling reasons, Scott Baker, Brandon Beachy, Zach Lee, Ian Thomas and Joe Wieland were among the other minor-league starting pitchers unavailable to make today’s start.

In 53 2/3 career MLB innings, Surkamp — who turns 28 in 10 days — has a 6.20 ERA with 33 strikeouts against 98 baserunners. He pitched 35 big-league games in relief in 2013, and his last MLB start was July 23, 2013. He has never pitched in Dodger Stadium.

His best Major League outing was his first, when he allowed one run in six innings on August 27, 2011 for the Giants against Houston, striking out four.

Over his past five starts with Oklahoma City, all in June, the lefty has had a 2.89 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 28 innings.

Surkamp pitched for the White Sox against the Dodgers on Opening Day of Cactus League play this year, allowing a run in two innings on two hits, including a Joc Pederson double.

[mlbvideo id=”40528583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Shutout Sunday won’t extend to All-Star selections Monday

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2015

In All-Star Game

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers were shut out today by the Mets and the National League All-Star voters, who didn’t put any Dodger position players among the league’s elected starters.

Los Angeles still has a chance to make an impression on the All-Star roster when reserves are announced Monday afternoon, with Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell in consideration for the pitching staff and Joc Pederson, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner for the bench. Pederson and Greinke could still even end up in the starting lineup.

Southpaw starters sort of stymie Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2015

In Offense

Los Angeles Dodgers during game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. The Dodgers beat the Marlins 2-0 . Photo by Jon SooHoo/©Los Angeles Dodgers,LLC 2015

Kiké Hernandez is 14 for 41 with five doubles, two triples, a homer and three walks against left-handed starting pitching this season. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Mets at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Soctt Van Slyke, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

It’s more like a bug bite than a debilitating injury, but the Dodgers could be happier, healthier and heartier facing left-handed starters this year.

Going into today’s game against left-handed Mets rookie Steven Matz, the Dodgers are 7-8 (.467) against southpaw starters in 2015, compared with 39-28 (.582) against righties.

In those eight losses, the Dodgers have scored a combined 14 runs. Three of those eight losses have come in games started by San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner, who has a 1.31 ERA against Los Angeles in 2015.

In their seven wins against lefty starters, the Dodgers have scored 35 runs (five per game).

Lefty starters have held the Dodgers to a .668 OPS, as opposed to their .783 OPS against righty starters. Confounding expectations, Dodger right-handed batters have hit better against righties than lefties in 2015.

Yasiel Puig (1.082 OPS) and Kiké Hernandez (1.034 OPS) have been the Dodgers’ best hitters against lefty starters this year, which helps explain why Hernandez is batting leadoff today. Joc Pederson is starting in the No. 7 spot for the first time since April, though his OPS against lefty starters (.875) is third on the team, ahead of Scott Van Slyke (.744).

One problem for the Dodgers is that the typical No. 3 and No. 4 hitters, Justin Turner (.559) and Adrian Gonzalez (.601) have not done well in their small samples against lefty starters this year. The right-handed hitting Turner’s career platoon splits actually favor him against right-handed pitching (.681 OPS vs. all lefties, .816 OPS vs. all righties).

Further, Dodger catchers A.J. Ellis, Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes are 7 for 44 with two doubles and no home runs against southpaw starters this year (.204 slugging percentage), though Ellis does have 10 walks to give him a .356 on-base percentage.

Even Alex Guerrero only has a .239 on-base percentage against left-handed starters, though he has two homers in 45 at-bats.

One other piece of trivia: The Dodgers have one stolen base all season against a left-handed starter, and that was by Zack Greinke.

Carlos Frias placed on disabled list, Daniel Coulombe recalled for fifth time

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

As was suspected, Carlos Frias has been placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 1) with lower back tightness, and Daniel Coulombe has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for the fifth time since May 4.

Frias said he expects to return shortly after All-Star break, will need one rehab start. Felt lower back discomfort last three starts.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 5, 2015

From May 30 to June 9, Frias averaged nearly seven innings over his three starts, with a 1.77 ERA, though he allowed 29 baserunners against nine strikeouts. In four starts since, he has barely averaged five innings, with a 5.66 ERA (36 baserunners/12 strikeouts).

Juan Nicasio, who made one spot start this year for the Dodgers, last pitched June 30, throwing 29 pitches that night. The Dodgers haven’t announced whether they will call up a pitcher to take Frias’ start Monday, but that seems to be likely rather than going with a bullpen game.

Mattingly said Brandon Beachy is not an option to start Monday. Also would prefer not to start Juan Nicasio

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) July 5, 2015

With the Dodgers this year, Coulombe has appeared in four games and allowed runs all four times. He has pitched shutout ball in his last three outings at Oklahoma City, with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Coulombe’s 2015 itinerary:

March 24: Optioned to Oklahoma City
May 4: Recalled from Oklahoma City
May 6: Optioned to Oklahoma City
May 14: Recalled from Oklahoma City
May 15: Optioned to Oklahoma City
June 2: Recalled from Oklahoma City
June 5: Optioned to Oklahoma City
June 18: Recalled from Oklahoma City
June 22: Optioned to Oklahoma City
July 5: Recalled from Oklahoma City

Carlos Frias in doubt for Monday

By Jon Weisman

On July 4, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 4:15 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

While Zack Greinke and Mike Bolsinger are set to go in this weekend’s remaining games against the Mets, Carlos Frias’ start Monday against Philadelphia is uncertain.

From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

Frias has been dealing with lower back stiffness in his past two starts, lasting only five innings in both. Mattingly described the pain to be on the side of his lower back.

“Everything came out totally clean as far as structural problems, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still feeling something,” Mattingly said.

If Frias is unable to go Monday, Ian Thomas could be a fill-in, although Mattingly said that there have been no definite plans made as far as a potential replacement.

In the meantime, we’ve got Greinke vs. Matt Harvey tonight, followed by music and fireworks. Enjoy.

2015 Dodgers Top 50: The best plays of the first half

By Jon Weisman

On July 4, 2015

In Defense, Status report

By Jon Weisman

We’re through the first 81 games of the 2015 season, and the Dodgers’ first half was nothing if not action-packed. To be completely honest with you, I tried to trim this collection of top Dodger plays down to 50 — removing some really fine moments — but if you count, you’ll find a few extra.

So I say, revel in it. Sit back, click and enjoy …

Kershaw shines before Dodgers lose duel in ninth

By Jon Weisman

On July 3, 2015

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

This is Clayton Kershaw over his past eight starts:

Unfortunately for Kershaw and the Dodgers, they couldn’t push another run across after Adrian Gonzalez’s second-inning home run and lost to the New York Mets, 2-1.

Not even Howie Kendrick’s sixth-inning stolen base — the Dodgers first after 23 games without one — could rally the Dodgers.

Sevens (in innings, baserunners and strikeouts) weren’t lucky for Kershaw, who allowed one run but left with the score tied. Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard matched well with Kershaw, allowing four baserunners in six innings while striking out six.

.@Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard averaged 97.6 MPH with his fastball tonight, highest by any starter in a game this season.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 4, 2015

“He was really good,” Kershaw said. “Really impressed. We all know when the big prospects come up, they’re gonna have the stuff, but he commanded the ball well on both sides of the plate, threw breaking balls high in counts, things like that. Even threw some changeups in there. Just another Texas kid — what do you expect?”

Carl Crawford eager to return to action

By Jon Weisman

On July 3, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres Friday, April 24, 2015 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The Dodgers beat the Padres 3-0. Photo by Jon SooHoo/©Los Angeles Dodgers,LLC 2015.

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCXXVI: Kershawming to America
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Andre Ethier, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford was in fine spirits today as he made a short stop at Dodger Stadium today before resuming his rehab work at Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Crawford has been sidelined since April 27 with a right oblique injury, but contended that the time has been anything but idle.

“Trust me, they work around it,” Crawford said. “One thing I try to do is keep my legs strong, make sure I can still run, do the things that I do when I play. My legs feel good — I feel like I can steal a base at any time, I’ll run down balls in the outfield. The only thing I need to do now is play, swing the bat as much as I can. … I’d like to be back as soon as possible.”

Don Mattingly initially stated today that he didn’t expect Crawford back on the active roster before the All-Star Break, then backtracked slightly.

Dodger stolen base drought is a team record — but look to the 2011 Cardinals

By Jon Weisman

On July 3, 2015

In Baserunning

Zack Greinke steals second base on May 27 (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

From the Dodgers public relations department:

The Dodgers have not stolen a base since June 7 and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, their 23-game streak without a steal is the longest streak in modern franchise history (since 1900). Los Angeles has been thrown out on all six attempted steals during the stolen base drought. The last Major League team with a longer streak was the Cardinals, who went 33 games without a steal from June 10-July 20, 2011 and then won the World Series in October.

NL division leaders and their league rank in stolen bases:

12t) St. Louis
14) Washington
15) Los Angeles

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 3, 2015

The last Dodger to steal a base, Andre Ethier in the sixth inning against St. Louis, was thrown out at home trying to score to end that same inning. Jimmy Rollins was the last Dodger to steal a base and then score (June 2) — though he stole third and then scored on a triple.

The last Dodger to steal second base before Ethier was Zack Greinke on May 27. The last Dodger to steal two bases in a game was Jimmy Rollins on May 23.

And yes, as you can see from the chart that follows … the Dodgers have not stolen a base that led directly to a run this entire season.

Recently on Dodger Insider: Sliding into the Dodgers’ baserunning issues

Brandon League’s roller-coaster ride as a Dodger loops into the finish

By Jon Weisman

On July 2, 2015

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

After 35 months, Brandon League’s tenure as a Dodger appears to have come to an end.

Dodgers acquire two more minor leaguers, plus Trevor Cahill

By Jon Weisman

On July 2, 2015

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Doubling down on their slots-for-tots strategy from earlier today, the Dodgers have acquired two minor leaguers — right-handed pitcher Caleb Dirks and outfielder Jordan Paroubeck — from Atlanta in exchange for international signing slot No. 87.

The 22-year-old Dirks, a Riverside native who will report to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, had a 0.68 ERA at two levels of Single-A ball this season, with 29 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings. That includes 16 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings since being promoted to Single-A Carolina on May 8.

Paroubeck, 20, had a .346 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage for San Diego’s Rookie-level squad in Arizona last year. He went to Atlanta as part of the Craig Kimbrel deal and has played in 25 extended spring training games this year. Paroubeck will head to Camelback Ranch for ongoing rehab of a minor quad injury.

The Dodgers also signed 27-year-old veteran right-hander Trevor Cahill, who was designated for assignment by Atlanta on June 19 after allowing 22 earned runs on 48 baserunners in 26 1/3 innings.

As of 6 p.m., the Dodgers had added 14 players to the organization today.

Teenagers are no wasteland for Dodger international scouts

By Jon Weisman

On July 2, 2015

In International, Minor leagues, Scouting, Transactions

Yadier Alvarez

By Jon Weisman

Spending big dollars on teenagers from the international market — as in today’s nine international signings — involves no small amount of risk, but the Dodgers are clearly bullish on their new prospects, as Dodger senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes indicated in a conference call with reporters this afternoon.

Byrnes began by talking about 19-year-old Yadier Alvarez, the top-rated pitching prospect in the international market and a rare talent.

“He’s one of the more talented teenage right-handed pitchers who a lot of us who have been doing this a long time have seen,” said Byrnes, who added that Alvarez throws 97 mph, “occasionally touching 99-100, with very little effort and some pretty good feel for secondary pitches.”

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

Page 109 of 381

Clayton Kershaw an All-Star Final Vote candidate

Dodgers will take it inning by inning with Garcia, Surkamp

Gonzalez, Grandal, Greinke and Pederson join NL All-Star roster

Eric Surkamp brought up by Dodgers, but Yimi Garcia will start tonight

Shutout Sunday won’t extend to All-Star selections Monday

Southpaw starters sort of stymie Dodgers

Carlos Frias placed on disabled list, Daniel Coulombe recalled for fifth time

Carlos Frias in doubt for Monday

2015 Dodgers Top 50: The best plays of the first half

Kershaw shines before Dodgers lose duel in ninth

Carl Crawford eager to return to action

Dodger stolen base drought is a team record — but look to the 2011 Cardinals

Brandon League’s roller-coaster ride as a Dodger loops into the finish

Dodgers acquire two more minor leaguers, plus Trevor Cahill

Teenagers are no wasteland for Dodger international scouts

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