Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Josh Ravin (Page 1 of 2)

Dodgers recall Puig, Barnes and Fields, activate Coleman and Ravin

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig will be back in the Majors for the Dodgers’ September stretch run, joined by catcher-infielder Austin Barnes and pitchers Louis Coleman, Josh Fields and Josh Ravin.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Julio Urías, P

Since he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 2, Puig played in 24 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with a .422 on-base percentage, .605 slugging percentage, five homers and nine walks against 11 strikeouts.

“For us, Yasiel’s done everything that was asked of him,” Dave Roberts said today in an interview with MLB Network about Puig, who will start tonight. “As we talked through things, we felt ultimately that he makes us better, with him keeping his end of the deal. It’s all about Yasiel becoming a better person, a better teammate, but also helping the Dodgers with baseball games.”

Said Puig to reporters this afternoon: “I earned the demotion to Triple-A. I feel that I’m now a better person, and I’m here to show it.”

Puig has a .320 on-base percentage, .386 slugging percentage and .706 OPS this season for the Dodgers. Between his return from the disabled list and his trip to the minors, he had a .390 OBP while slugging .440.

He joins a Dodger outfield that has Howie Kendrick, Joc Pederson, Josh Reddick, Andrew Toles, Kiké Hernandez and (though mainly an infielder) Rob Segedin.

Andre Ethier, who has played three nights in a row in rehab games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (including seven innings in right field Thursday), might not be far behind.

The 26-year-old Barnes wraps up his second season in Oklahoma City with a .380 on-base percentage, .443 slugging percentage and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts, along with 43 walks against 53 strikeouts. In brief action with the Dodger this year, Barnes is 3 for 23 with three walks and a double.

Coleman pitched four shutout innings in rehab outings from August 22-30, allowing five hits while walking none and striking out six. With the Dodgers, he has a 3.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. He had made six straight scoreless appearances before going on the disabled list August 3 with right shoulder fatigue.

Fields has pitched two innings for Oklahoma City since he was optioned August 23. He had allowed five earned runs and 18 baserunners in 9 2/3 innings as a Dodger since his August 1 acquisition from Houston.

Placed on the disabled list August 15 with right triceps inflammation, Ravin pitched in one rehab inning August 30 for Rancho Cucamonga, allowing a hit and a run with a strikeout. He has two shutout innings with the Dodgers this year.

Luis Avilan, a winning pitcher Wednesday thanks to Toles’ grand-slam heroics, was only temporarily on the team as the 26th man for the second game of the doubleheader, and officially returned to Triple-A today. Because he was optioned August 25, he isn’t eligible for a permanent recall until Sunday.

So as they start September, the Dodgers have 15 pitchers and 15 position players on their active roster  — with more to come.

Brandon McCarthy, Josh Ravin placed on disabled list

LOS ANGELES DODGERS V PITTSBURGH PIRATES

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.

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With Joe Blanton on bereavement leave, Josh Ravin recalled

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

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
Rob Segedin, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Ravin has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers, taking the place of Joe Blanton, who has been placed on the bereavement list.

The 28-year-old Ravin began the season on the disabled list after breaking his left forearm in a Leap Day car accident. Before he was ready to be activated, MLB suspended him 80 games after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. He was reinstated from the restricted list August 3.

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Coleman, Liberatore head to DL, Toles optioned — Urías, Fields and Stewart recalled

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Brock Stewart, P

By Jon Weisman

A flurry of moves have been made by the Dodgers before tonight’s game in Colorado.

Louis Coleman (right shoulder fatigue) and Adam Liberatore (left elbow inflammation) have been placed on the disabled list. For Liberatore, the transaction is retroactive to July 30.

Joining the Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City are pitchers Julio Urías and newly acquired Josh Fields. In addition, outfielder Andrew Toles has been optioned to Oklahoma City to make room for tonight’s starting pitcher, Brock Stewart.

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Josh Ravin suspended 80 games

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Dodgers reliever Josh Ravin, who has been on the 60-day disabled list this year as a result of breaking his left forearm in a car accident during Spring Training, has received an 80-game suspension without pay for a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has announced.

Ravin, 28, tested positive for “Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2), a performance-enhancing substance,” MLB said.

The suspension of Ravin is effective immediately.

“We are disappointed to hear that Josh has violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “The Dodgers fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport and, as per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension.”

Ravin pitched 9 1/3 innings for the Dodgers last year, allowing 18 baserunners while striking out 12. For Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Chatsworth High grad allowed 40 baserunners in 28 innings with 38 strikeouts.

He issued a statement via the Major League Baseball Players Association. 

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In case you missed it: Injured pitchers look to regroup

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCdXwharEF1/?taken-by=dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Was it the Dodger Insider jinx for Brett Anderson?

Anderson was scheduled for tests on his lower back today, after tweaking it at the end of live batting practice Tuesday (the day he was profiled here), according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

At least temporarily, Anderson becomes one of two 28-year-old lefties on the Dodger sidelines. Hyun-Jin Ryu is taking some extra time between bullpen sessions, reports Gurnick.

“There’s definitely no pain,” Ryu said. “A little typical soreness. I’m very happy and satisfied with the timetable.”

Meanwhile, the Dodgers said that right-hander Josh Ravin is expected to return in eight to 12 weeks following Tuesday’s surgery on his broken left radius.

What else can I tell you?

Andre Ethier slides into third safely during today's situational game.

Andre Ethier slides into third safely during today’s situational game.

  • In a prelude to Thursday’s Cactus League opener, the Dodgers played a situational game in which they fielded two teams and played out all kinds of different batting and fielding scenarios. If you’re curious, I streamed some video of the first inning on Periscope.
  • Clayton Kershaw is expected to go two innings in Thursday’s Spring Training debut, unless he has a particularly long first inning, Dave Roberts said.
  • Dodger hitting coach Turner Ward spoke to Gurnick about Joc Pederson — and to Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt about Ward.
  • The balancing act that is Julio Urias’ innings load as he develops into a Major Leaguer is examined by Dylan Hernandez of the Times.
  • Earlier this week, Hernandez spoke to Kershaw, among others, about the state of Yasiel Puig.
  • The Dodgers lead the Major Leagues in players projected to be worth at least one win above replacement this year, according to Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs.

Josh Ravin breaks left forearm in car accident

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Right-handed pitcher Josh Ravin is having surgery today on his left radius (forearm) after being injured in a car accident Monday night. The victim of that accident can click for more info.

He may experience chronic pain and would benefit from consulting a CHRONIC PAIN doctor to help manage his recovery and ensure a full and healthy return to the mound. The Sweet Lawyers – personal injury lawyers can also be of help in such cases. Search online for the best auto accident lawyers near me if you get involved in a road accident caused by a reckless driver. A car crash lawyer in Grayslake can help present your accident claim and prepare all the necessary documents your insurance company needs.

The good news is that Ravin, who pitched 9 1/3 innings for the Dodgers last year while spending most of 2015 with Oklahoma City, is otherwise unharmed.

In other news this morning:

  • Yaisel Sierra is cleared to work out and was scheduled to throw today and go through drills with the pitchers. Dave Roberts said the Dodgers plan to treat him as a reliever this spring. “That’s the nice thing in a sense,” Roberts said. “We’re not too worried about stretching him out.”
  • You could also get reports on accidents with the help of Accident Reports MD.
  • Justin Turner is eager to go full bore, but is “trusting the process, trusting the coaching staff,” Roberts said. It is better to find out here through a lawyer and know what to do next.
  • Adrian Gonzalez is on a regular workout schedule, and his neck is not an issue at this moment. “Today we talked, and he feels good,” Roberts said. “That’s just something early on in spring, if there’s something that comes up we want to identify it and take that day (off) early.” When it comes to injury cases, the Vukelja & dePaula lawyers help get legal aid.

In case you missed it: Kool Kenley

Los Angeles Dodgers first workout for pitchers and catchers

For more images from today, visit the Dodgers Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Let’s recap the first Saturday of Spring Training …

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Dodgers recall Joe Wieland, increase active pitching staff to 16

In his only game with the Dodgers this season, Joe Wieland allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings May 6 at Milwaukee. (Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

In his only game with the Dodgers this season, Joe Wieland allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings May 6 at Milwaukee. (Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

In the wake of Monday’s 14-inning game, the Dodgers added Joe Wieland to a September 1 recall list that already included Mike Bolsinger and Ian Thomas. Joel Peralta was also officially activated from the disabled list.

Wieland has a 4.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in Triple-A this season, but improved to 3.38 and 1.09 in August. With the Dodger bullpen throwing nine innings Monday and 17 1/3 innings since Saturday, Wieland provides another backup arm. Los Angeles has 16 pitchers on its active roster at present.

There are increasing indications that Mike Bolsinger will make a spot start for the Dodgers in their upcoming four-game series at San Diego, though nothing definitive has been stated.

In addition, to make room for Justin Ruggiano on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers recalled Josh Ravin (hernia) and placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Ravin has not pitched in a game since July 25.

Dodger minor league report No. 19: Peeking at September

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By Jon Weisman

We got a jump on this week’s minor league report Tuesday by highlighting the performances of Julio Urias, Jharel Cotton and Corey Seager. And with a morning Dodger game at Cincinnati on Thursday — the last Dodger game east of the Rockies in the 2015 regular season — we’re going to get to the farm report itself a day early.

Already, conversation is hot and heavy about whom the Dodgers might call up when rosters expand September 1. The Dodgers have said they won’t call up players willy-nilly without a specific purpose, but that’s not to say this team doesn’t have several specific purposes to address.

Here are the candidates from the 40-man roster:

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Dodgers recall Josh Ravin

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Josh Ravin has been called up by the Dodgers for the third time, taking the roster spot temporarily vacated by expectant father Zack Greinke.

Ravin has a 2.33 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 38 strikeouts in 27 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year. With the Dodgers, he has allowed five runs on 11 hits and a walk in seven innings, striking out nine.

After pitching two shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 11-inning victory June 14 over San Diego (the day Joc Pederson made his catch at the wall of Justin Upton’s drive), Ravin allowed runs in three consecutive appearances. He last pitched for Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Greinke can be on the paternity list for a maximum of three days. Ian Thomas is starting today for the Dodgers, who haven’t announced their Saturday or Sunday starters.

Matt West designated for assignment

Brewers 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, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Brandon Beachy, P

By Jon Weisman

To make room on the Dodgers’ 25-man and 40-man rosters for the activation of Brandon Beachy, the Dodgers optioned Josh Ravin to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated Matt West for assignment.

West has a near-perfect ERA when you combine his Double-A and Dodger stints, though at Triple-A, his ERA was 7.20, allowing 30 baserunners in 20 innings with 14 strikeouts.

The Dodgers’ acquired West on May 4.

Dodgers get fresh arm in bullpen in Matt West

Giants at Dodgers, 4:15 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carlos Frias, P

By Jon Weisman

Matt West was called up June 1 by the Dodgers but didn’t pitch before returning to Triple-A Oklahoma City. We’ll see if that goes any differently this time around for West, who has switcherooed in the Dodger bullpen with Josh Ravin.

In contrast to West, Ravin was pretty busy during his first Dodger (and MLB) stint, appearing in seven games — including four in the past six days. His week began well with a winning two shutout innings Sunday at San Diego, but he then allowed four runs (including two homers) in his past three outings.

Matt West

Matt West

What we said about West on Wednesday is still true:

West most recently pitched two innings on Tuesday, allowing two runs. He had 10 strikeouts and a 0.87 ERA in 10 1/3 innings with Double-A Tulsa, followed by eight strikeouts and an 8.03 ERA in 12 1/3 innings with Oklahoma City.

Joel Peralta, one of three Dodger relievers to do a rehab inning Friday in Oklahoma City, could rejoin the active roster next week in Chicago, Don Mattingly told reporters today.

Dodgers walk off in defeat … and a bit of history

[mlbvideo id=”169864283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Tonight’s 3-2 defeat at Texas was not a typical way for the Dodgers to lose.

The last time the Dodgers tied a game in the top of the ninth …

  • and then lost on a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth was May 2, 2012 at Colorado.
  • by hitting a home run and then lost on a walkoff homer in the bottom the ninth was September 7, 2007 at San Francisco.
  • and then lost on a walkoff homer to the very first batter of the bottom of the ninth was July 11, 1970 at San Diego.

And the last time the Dodgers tied a game in the top of the ninth by hitting a home run, before losing to a home run on the very first batter of the bottom of the ninth? Going through records on Baseball-Reference.com dating back to 1940 … never.

For hard-throwing Josh Ravin, it was a tough initiation into the vast group of Major Leaguer pitchers who have, you know, lost games.

The loss was as sudden as it was seemingly improbable. The Dodgers had only one baserunner past second base through eight innings off Rangers rookie Chi Chi Gonzalez, before Howie Kendrick walked with one out in the ninth and Justin Turner hit his game-tying shot.

It’s little consolation, but Turner’s homer kept Brett Anderson from taking a loss in his longest outing (eight innings) since May 26, 2011. On the other hand, Anderson would have had his team-leading second complete game but for that mini-Home Run Derby in the ninth.

[mlbvideo id=”170085083″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

‘I am speechless — I am without speech’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8XhiaUE9xg&feature=youtu.be&t=17s

By Jon Weisman

How can something be so exhilarating and so exhausting at once?

How can Joc Pederson hit two homers and a triple in one day … and his team still be one strike away from two losses?

How can his team still be down by three with two out and two strikes on the batter … and win the game?

[mlbvideo id=”142495683″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Doctor, my eyes … my eyes are fried.

If you’re a Los Angeles Dodger fan, this was a first for your team.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 1958, according to Elias Sports and the Dodger public relations department, the Dodgers had hit five other grand slams after two were out in the ninth. Four of those were in tie games.  After the only previous two-out, come-from-behind grand slam in the ninth inning, the Dodgers still lost the game. Todd Benzinger’s heroic blast on September 4, 1992 was not enough to prevent a ninth-inning collapse and the Dodgers falling to 54-80 in that misbegotten season.

Kenley Jansen made sure that didn’t happen again.

[mlbvideo id=”142604183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

How in the world is Guerrero doing this? Ten home runs in 98 at-bats. A 1.011 OPS.

And how in the world is Pederson doing this? Home runs in four straight games. A .971 OPS, at age 23. On pace (forgive me) for 50 homers.

[mlbvideo id=”141942183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Pederson and Guerrero have combined for 26 home runs, and the season has 110 games to go.

Not for nothing, the three players who got the hits ahead of Guerrero’s slam had batting averages of .212 (Alberto Callaspo), .211 (Jimmy Rollins) and .125 (Chris Heisey).

And let’s not forget Josh Ravin, who came up today and made his big-league debut after 209 games across 10 seasons in the minors, threw five pitches at a combined 494 miles per hour — and got the win. He is the first National League pitcher since 2006 to get an MLB win with only five career pitches.

Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 10.13.55 PM

 

Oh, it’s a scene, man. It is a scene.

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