Yasiel Puig – Page 4 – Dodger Thoughts

Dave Roberts knows .500 isn’t good enough

On May 10, 2016

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Alex Wood, P
Note: Alex Guerrero is beginning a rehab assignment tonight with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

By Jon Weisman

If you’re wondering whether the Dodgers are content to be in first place in their division with a .500 record, the answer is no.

“We’re not playing great baseball,” Dave Roberts said this afternoon. “I think for the most part we’re catching the baseball, but for the pitching and hitting to sync up, we’re still waiting for that to happen.”

The debate about the Dodgers that’s happening right now around town and on social media is which of their two seemingly irreconcilable identities is true. Are they a first-place team, or are they a squad that loses at least as much as it wins?

Dodgers dig deep for homestand finale

By Jon Weisman

On May 1, 2016

In History, Pregame

Yasiel Puig and Dave Roberts prior to Saturday’s game

Padres at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCXLVIII: Kershawt. Elsewhere
Yasiel Puig, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Behind Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers take the field today trying to stave off the longest winless homestand in franchise history.

According to Stats LLC, via the Dodgers’ public relations department, the Dodgers have had six winless homestands at Dodger Stadium, but none longer than three games. In Brooklyn, the longest winless homestand was four games in 1893.

Overall, the Dodgers’ six-game losing streak is their longest since an eight-gamer from May 1-10, 2013. That was the year the team came back with a 42-8 run to win the National League West and reach the National League Championship Series.

Dodgers, fans raise $10,000 for earthquake relief

By Jon Weisman

On April 27, 2016

In Community, International

[mlbvideo id=”631521683″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
The Dodgers raised $10,000 toward the Red Cross’ relief efforts for the devastating earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan with a pregame autograph signing featuring Kenta Maeda, Jaime Jarrin, Dave Roberts and Yasiel Puig.

Proceeds from the signings raised $4,500, and the Dodgers donated the remaining funds to push the total to $10,000.

Dodgers can’t save Maeda’s strong start

By Jon Weisman

On April 12, 2016

In Bullpen, Postgame

Kenta Maeda pitched six shutout innings for the second straight game. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Dave Roberts preached faith in the Dodger bullpen after its latest tough outing.

For the third time in the past four games, Dodger relievers surrendered a lead, with Pedro Baez and Chris Hatcher each allowing home runs in a 4-2 loss today to Arizona in the Dodger Stadium home opener (recapped by MLB.com).

With his team at 4-4 after eight games, Roberts said it was too early to contemplate changes to the bullpen.

Yasiel Puig off to spectacular start, while Dodgers tie shutout record

By Jon Weisman

On April 6, 2016

In Postgame

[mlbvideo id=”576899283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

It’s so like that Yasiel Puig to lurk in the shadows.

The big story right now, after tonight’s 7-0 victory over San Diego (recapped by MLB.com), is that the Dodgers are the first team since the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals to begin a season with three consecutive shutouts.

But the Dodgers have also scored 25 runs in the process, and Puig has played a powerful part.

So to recap: Puig this year has 9 batted balls. 7 are above 100 mph. 8 are above 98 MPH. Good lord.

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) April 7, 2016

His eighth-inning home run, matching Kenta Maeda for the team lead, exclamationed this opening salvo from Puig: 6 for 10 with two walks, two triples, the home run and a hit-by-pitch. That’s .600/.692/1.300/1.992 if you’re tracking at home.

As joyful as the results are, it’s the execution to all fields that’s been eye-opening. Here’s the rundown of his first three games …

Seager’s trio, Puig’s triple boost Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On April 5, 2016

In History, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

It wasn’t the offensive display of 27 hours earlier, but the Dodgers still delivered when needed to win their second straight game over the Padres to start the season.

Dodgers’ outrageous Opening Day offensive onslaught

By Jon Weisman

On April 4, 2016

In History, Hitting, Managing, Opening Day, Postgame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

A historic day for the Dodgers began with something between a hunch and an observation by new manager Dave Roberts.

Chase Utley isn’t the Dodgers’ permanent leadoff hitter. He was simply the kind of hitter, based on his long history in the game, whom Roberts thought might do well batting first against Tyson Ross on Opening Day.

Coming up to start the 2016 season, Utley fell behind 1-2, worked the count to 3-2, and then stroked a simple, solid, sinking drive to left-center at which Jon Jay dove fruitlessly, good for a double.

No. 2 hitter Corey Seager, with almost none of Utley’s past but potentially all of his future and more, then boomed a double off the left-field wall on the fly, and it was on.

How on, we had no idea.

Their 15-0 victory (recapped by MLB.com) was the largest Opening Day shutout by any team in Major League history, according to Elias, breaking a 105-year-old record set by the Pirates at Cincinnati on April 12, 1911, 14-0.

“That first inning really set the tone for us,” Roberts said after the game. “After that, guys kept having good at-bats.”

The dominant performance created this cavalcade of conquest …

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On March 29, 2016

In Bullpen, Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame, Pregame, Spring Training, Transactions

Adam Liberatore has struck out 11 in nine Cactus League innings this year.

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Chase Utley, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are down to two left-handers in their Major League bullpen after optioning Adam Liberatore to the minors following the team’s 5-4 victory Monday over Texas.

The question now is, will they go down to one?

Since we last checked in on the bullpen, it has been whittled in predictable fashion, leaving the following:

No, not everyone got hurt: 2016 Spring Training stars

By Jon Weisman

On March 28, 2016

In Spring Training, Status report

By Jon Weisman

One week from Opening Day, it’s safe to say that injuries have dampened Spring Training for the Dodgers this year, like picking the wrong line at Philippe’s 30 minutes before game time. If there’s an upside, it’s that aside from the injuries, there’s been a feast for the baseball senses. Nearly everyone on the field is meeting or exceeding expectations. Here are some of the brightest (and, knock on wood) healthiest lights at Camelback Ranch this month:

Yasiel Puig not to be suspended

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2016

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig has been cleared by Major League Baseball regarding an alleged incident last November, as MLB stated today.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has concluded its investigation into an alleged incident involving Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and his sister in a Miami-area nightclub on November 26, 2015. The investigation included interviews of witnesses, including Puig and his sister, as well as a review of video footage from inside the nightclub at the time of the alleged incident.

The Office of the Commissioner’s investigation did not uncover any witness who supported the assault allegation; both Puig and his sister denied that an assault occurred; and the available video evidence did not support the allegation. Thus, barring the receipt of any new information or evidence, no discipline will be imposed on Puig in connection with the alleged incident.

“The Dodgers are pleased with MLB’s findings following their thorough investigation,” the Dodgers said later in the afternoon in a statement. “Yasiel can now put this matter behind him and focus solely on the season ahead.”

Ken Gurnick has more at MLB.com on Puig, who homered today in the Dodgers’ 7-3 victory over Colorado.

There was a suspension in the Dodger family today, though it involved a player who never suited up for the organization. Minor-league right-hander Adrian Salcedo, who was acquired in November, received a 144-game suspension without pay, according to the commisioner’s office, “following a positive test for a metabolite of Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Program.” Salcedo was already serving a previous suspension incurred while with the Twins. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. adds some backstory.

Are Dodgers dodging the leadoff inquisition?

By Jon Weisman

On March 10, 2016

In Offense, Pregame, Spring Training

Just seeing if you’re paying attention. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at A’s, 12:05 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Kiké Hernandez, SS
Chase Utley, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Andre Ethier, DH
A.J. Ellis, C
Trayce Thompson, CF
Charlie Culberson, 3B
Rico Noel, RF
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

Earlier this week, MLB.com, the Times, the Register, True Blue L.A. and ESPN.com all wrote about how the Dodgers don’t expect to have a full-time leadoff hitter in 2016.

“It’s still wide-open,” Dave Roberts said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Register. “It might change but I don’t foresee a designated leadoff guy – versus left, versus right, versus any type of pitcher – because any day is different, any pitcher is different. So whatever I feel is the best, which makes the most sense for that night or day, we’ll do.”

For some reason, this seems to get under the skin of some fans, who correlate a consistent presence atop the order with winning. And to be sure, if you’ve got guy who posts a .400 on-base percentage against all pitching and doesn’t have redwoods for legs, that’s a good head start toward victory.

But you’re not doomed if you don’t have that person, and it doesn’t serve anyone to pretend that you do. Whatever advantage might be derived from stubbornly batting the same player in the same batting slot, regardless of who the opposing pitcher is, is surely bettered by creating the best matchups.

Let’s look at the Dodgers’ potential leadoff hitters, casting a wide net …

In case you missed it: Injured pitchers look to regroup

By Jon Weisman

On March 2, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Spring Training

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.

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.

Yasiel Puig’s 96 mph fastball — from right field

By Jon Weisman

On February 27, 2016

In Defense, Outfield

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Just how strong is Yasiel Puig’s arm?

This week at MLB.com, MLB Statcast analyst Mike Petriello wrote about the top outfield arms in baseball. His methodology in brief appears at the end of this post. I followed up by asking Statcast for some numbers specific to the Dodgers, and here’s what I got:

96.0 mph — Yasiel Puig
90.8 mph — Joc Pederson
90.5 mph — Scott Van Slyke
88.5 mph — Alex Guerrero
88.2 mph — Kiké Hernandez
87.7 mph — Andre Ethier
79.7 mph — Carl Crawford

Puig was 2.6 mph behind Houston’s Jake Marsinick, the top outfield arm in the Majors. Here’s a 99.4 mph throw that Puig made at Houston in August:

[mlbvideo id=”404268183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

In case you missed it: Sandy salute

By Jon Weisman

On February 26, 2016

In In case you missed it, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Though the legendary Sandy Koufax no longer has a formal role with the Dodgers, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com writes, that doesn’t mean he can’t stop by Camelback Ranch for a nice hello.

In case you missed it: Pulling Puig’s teeth

By Jon Weisman

On February 25, 2016

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Spring Training

Dave Roberts speaks to the team today during first full-squad meeting of the year.

By Jon Weisman

On the day TMZ rumored that Yasiel Puig was getting the world’s greatest helicopter, the Dodger outfielder’s chopper concerns were much more down to earth. Like so many of us have, Puig went through the rite of passage of having his wisdom teeth removed after going to the emergency dental care center on Tuesday.

According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Puig’s jaw remained swollen today. It’s hoped he’ll return to baseball activity Friday.

Rise and shine. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/UZCJZUD5qo

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

Meanwhile, sink your pearly whites into these morsels…

Dodger Thoughts

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

Tag: Yasiel Puig (Page 4 of 15)

Dave Roberts knows .500 isn’t good enough

Dodgers dig deep for homestand finale

Dodgers, fans raise $10,000 for earthquake relief

Dodgers can’t save Maeda’s strong start

Yasiel Puig off to spectacular start, while Dodgers tie shutout record

Seager’s trio, Puig’s triple boost Dodgers

Dodgers’ outrageous Opening Day offensive onslaught

In case you missed it: Dodgers option Liberatore, hone in on bullpen

No, not everyone got hurt: 2016 Spring Training stars

Yasiel Puig not to be suspended

Are Dodgers dodging the leadoff inquisition?

In case you missed it: Injured pitchers look to regroup

Yasiel Puig’s 96 mph fastball — from right field

In case you missed it: Sandy salute

In case you missed it: Pulling Puig’s teeth

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