Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jon Weisman
It’s hard not to like what Kenta Maeda has brought to the U.S. so far.
Same with Justin Turner, even if the journey isn’t quite so far.
Tag: Matt West
Julio Urias signs autographs at Spring Training in 2015. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
2016 non-roster invitations
Pitchers (6): Chris Anderson, Lisalverto Bonilla, Brooks Brown, Jose De Leon, Julio Urias, Matt West
Catchers (3): Kyle Farmer, Jack Murphy, Shawn Zarraga
Infielders (2): Charlie Culberson, Rob Segedin
Infielder-outfielders (2): Cody Bellinger, Elian Herrera
Outfielders (3): Corey Brown, Alex Hassan, Rico Noel
Pitchers (6): Chris Anderson, Lisalverto Bonilla, Brooks Brown, Jose De Leon, Julio Urias, Matt West
Catchers (3): Kyle Farmer, Jack Murphy, Shawn Zarraga
Infielders (2): Charlie Culberson, Rob Segedin
Infielder-outfielders (2): Cody Bellinger, Elian Herrera
Outfielders (3): Corey Brown, Alex Hassan, Rico Noel
By Jon Weisman
Minor-league pitching prospects Julio Urias, Jose DeLeon and Chris Anderson are among the 16 players not currently on the 40-man roster who have been invited to Major League camp for Spring Training.
The 19-year-old Urias is the No. 1 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, while DeLeon, 23, is the No. 5 righty. The 23-year-old Anderson, the Dodgers’ first-round draft choice in the 2013 draft, had a 4.05 ERA and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings for Double-A Tulsa in 2015.
The hottest non-roster invite on the hitting side is Cody Bellinger, who is ranked sixth among first-base prospects in the minors.
Matt West made his Dodger debut June 20. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
Earlier this morning, Matt Eddy of Baseball America posted a lengthy list of minor-leaguers who have just become free agents. That included more than two dozen names from the Dodgers, who have confirmed that they are no longer under contract with the organization.
Several of these players were signed by the Dodgers as recently as last winter, as part of the annual cycle of veteran minor-leaguers switching teams, though there is one prominent former Dodger draft pick among them.
Almost time. #ITFDB pic.twitter.com/yxfTM2DiBs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 12, 2015
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
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.
Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers at Cubs, 5:05 p.m.
Kershaw CCXXIV: Kershawmer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Note: A severe thunderstorm threat has created a potential weather delay for tonight’s game.
Kershaw CCXXIV: Kershawmer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Note: A severe thunderstorm threat has created a potential weather delay for tonight’s game.
By Jon Weisman
Sidelined since April 26 by a shoulder ailment, Joel Peralta has been reinstated to the active roster by the Dodgers.
Peralta still carries a 0.00 ERA as a Dodger, having gone 5 2/3 shutout innings in April across seven games, allowing five baserunners while striking out four.
Los Angeles actually plans to make two roster additions today, and is optioning both Daniel Coulombe and Matt West back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
West ate three innings for the Dodgers this weekend against the Giants, allowing no runs on three baserunners while striking out two. Coulombe, who has now completed four separate stints with the Dodgers this season, also pitched three innings vs. San Francisco, allowing three runs on five baserunners with three strikeouts.
Update: Though travel delays prevented him from arriving for pregame activities, the Dodgers have recalled lefty pitcher Ian Thomas from Oklahoma City.
Thomas has a 5.30 ERA in 18 2/3 innings with 14 strikeouts for Oklahoma City, including his most recent outing of six innings with one run allowed on June 17. Thomas allowed four runs in three innings during his lone Dodger appearance this year, June 2 at Colorado.
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
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
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.
Rehab report: With @okc_dodgers tonight …
Baez 1 IP, 0 R, 1H, 1K
Peralta 1 IP, 1R, 2H, 1K
League 2/3 IP, 1R, 2BB, 1K— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 20, 2015
Rangers at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCXXIII: Kershawlicon Valley
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chris Heisey, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CCXXIII: Kershawlicon Valley
Yasiel Puig, RF
Chris Heisey, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
Scott Van Slyke has come off the disabled list and into the Dodger starting lineup tonight against Texas lefty Wandy Rodriguez, but he is taking the roster spot of a pitcher, not a position player.
Righty reliever Chris Hatcher has been placed on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, retroactive to June 15.
For the time being, that leaves the Dodgers with a season-low six pitchers in their bullpen: righties Kenley Jansen, Yimi Garcia, Juan Nicasio and Josh Ravin, and lefties J.P. Howell and Adam Liberatore.
Chris Hatcher said he felt a twinge in his oblique after his appearance on Sunday. Tried rest first. Got MRI this morning
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) June 17, 2015
Liberatore is the only Dodger who has pitched in two games since Friday. The Dodgers have gotten a pair of eight-inning outings in that time, from Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson.
Van Slyke enters tonight’s game 6 for 21 with a double and four walks against southpaws this season (.756 OPS). Last year, Van Slyke had a 1.045 OPS in 130 plate appearances against left-handers.
Update: Don Mattingly told reporters today that the Dodgers would likely go back to a seven-man bullpen as soon as Thursday.
Carl Crawford injured himself April 27 while hitting his only triple so far of 2015. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Kershaw CCXX: Kershawsablanca
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CCXX: Kershawsablanca
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
Just for the record, the Dodgers made no transactions Friday. But we’re back in the daily swing of things, or thing of swings.
A day after being called up, reliever Matt West was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, replaced on the roster by swingman David Huff.
Huff’s arrival also means the move of Carl Crawford to the 60-day disabled list, meaning that we won’t see the Dodger outfielder in a game until the end of June at the earliest. Crawford, who has a .260 on-base percentage and .408 slugging percentage in 50 plate appearances this season, last played for the Dodgers on April 27.
Dodgers at Cardinals, 11:15 a.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Guerrero, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Brett Anderson, P
Joc Pederson, CF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Guerrero, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Brett Anderson, P
By Jon Weisman
Paco Rodriguez has had trouble finishing pitches, manager Don Mattingly told reporters this morning, so he has been placed on the disabled list and is heading to Los Angeles for examination on his left elbow.
Rodriguez’s velocity has been on the decline, as noted in the Daily News by J.P. Hoornstra, despite not having been used frequently. Friday’s 18-pitch outing was his first in five days, and he has pitched on consecutive days only once in the past six weeks.
Here’s a small excerpt from Hoornstra’s piece:
… What’s interesting is that Rodriguez said he had no idea his velocity has been steadily dropping. He’s never relied primarily on speed to be effective, rather deception and location. Because of that, he said, he’s never paid close attention to radar-gun readings.
The decrease in speed is partially by design. Rodriguez said he was hoping to slow down his curveball this year by tightening his grip on the ball, “just so the fastball looks that much harder.” Rodriguez allowed for the possibility that he’s tightened the grip on all his pitches inadvertently. …
So far in 2015, Rodriguez has a 2.61 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts, stranding 17 of 22 inherited runners.
To take Rodriguez’s place on the active roster, the Dodgers have called up Matt West, the righty they cashed out of Toronto on May 4, from Triple-A Oklahoma City. In the organization this year, West has had 10 strikeouts and a 0.68 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings for Double-A Tulsa, along with four baserunners in two innings with one strikeout for Oklahoma City.
West’s MLB career consists of four innings with the Rangers last season, in which he allowed three runs on seven baserunners while striking out three.
If and when he appears in a game, West will be the first in Dodger history to wear No. 76. However, he will only be the second Dodger ever from Houston’s Bellaire High, after the inimitable Kelly Wunsch.
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For photos from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.
Dodgers at Brewers, 4:20 p.m.
Kershaw CCXV: Kershawzing Saddles
Joc Pederson, CF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Juan Uribe, 3B
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CCXV: Kershawzing Saddles
Joc Pederson, CF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Juan Uribe, 3B
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
The transaction-happy Dodgers actually went the entire series against Arizona without making a move. But in the aftermath of their 13-inning walkoff shutout victory Sunday over the Diamondbacks, there has been some shuffling.
Most relevant in the short term is that the Dodgers have called up lefty reliever Daniel Coulombe from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Coulombe has 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings this season, allowing nine baserunners while striking out 16. In fact, the 25-year-old has retired 23 of the last 25 batters he’s faced, striking out 14 without allowing a hit.
Coulombe will take starting pitcher Scott Baker’s spot on the 25-man roster. Baker, who has one of the four seven-inning starts by a Dodger pitcher this season but was hit hard Saturday, was designated for assignment Sunday when the Dodgers acquired first baseman Andy Wilkins from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
Wilkins, 26 years old and born the day of Ramon Martinez’s only career Major League hold, had 30 homers and an .896 OPS in Triple-A last year. He went 6 for 43 with two walks in his MLB debut last fall.
But wait — that’s not all. Today, the Dodgers acquired right-handed reliever Matt West from Toronto, also in exchange for cash considerations. West, 26, has pitched 12 1/3 scoreless innings for Double-A New Hampshire this season with 17 strikeouts against 14 baserunners. A converted third baseman, West allowed seven baserunners in four innings while making his Major League debut for the Rangers in 2014, striking out three.
Hyun-Jin Ryu has been moved to the 60-day disabled list. He remains eligible to come off the DL before the end of May.
Other notes for today:
- Tonight’s opponents, the Brewers (7-18) and the Dodgers (16-8), are already 11 1/2 games apart in the standings.
- The Dodgers released new Brewers manager Craig Counsell (who is replacing another old friend, Ron Roenicke, at the Milwaukee helm) on March 15, 2000 at age 29, after he OPSed .626 in 1999. Counsell played 11 seasons and amassed 1,037 hits after that.
- Though the Dodger bullpen pitched seven innings Sunday (extending its scoreless streak to 26), no reliever threw more than 15 pitches, and only Juan Nicasio and Yimi Garcia have worked consecutive days. With the addition of Coulombe, that leaves seven reasonably rested relievers behind Clayton Kershaw today.
- Yasmani Grandal’s home run in the bottom of the 13th Sunday gave the Dodgers their longest walkoff shutout victory ending on a home run in team history, surpassing Carl Furillo’s 12th-inning homer for a 2-0 victory 60 years and one day earlier, during the 1955 championship season.
- Sunday’s 13th-inning tag by J.P. Howell still amazes me — and frankly, the dish to the dish by Grandal is a thing of beauty as well.
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