Dodgers in Two Places at Once
by Eric Stephen on Mar 22, 2010 12:30 PM PDT
in Game Threads
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PrintAngels (4-11-2) at Dodgers (6-9-1), 1:05pm, Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ
Dodgers (6-9-1) at Brewers (11-8-1), 1:05pm, Maryvale Business Park, Phoenix, AZ
The Dodgers are in two places at once today, playing a pair of games at 1:05pm: one in Phoenix against the Brewers, and one at home against the Angels. Here is a brief recap of Dodger news since my long trip back from Arizona last night:
- Eric Gagne asked for, and was granted his release. I guess Ramon Troncoso gets to keep number 38 after all
- Joe Torre asked to halt the negotiations for his seemingly inevitable one-year contract extension, saying it was too close to the season and didn't want to be a distraction. Still, Torre's confident a deal will get done, at some point, saying "I know that they'll have me back if I want to continue."
- Torre said he won't name his opening day starter until Thursday. At this point, as the announcement date keeps getting pushed back, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.
- Jamie Hoffmann appears to be headed back to the Dodgers, although it hasn't yet been announced by the team
- Russell Martin was hit by a pitch on the wrist in a simulated game this morning. Torre said Martin was fine, but he didn't continue his batting practice after being hit
- Chad Billingsley will throw against minor leaguers tomorrow at 1pm since the Dodgers have an off day
- Alfredo Amezaga, who has yet to play this spring, was reassigned to minor league camp
- Angel Berroa was released this morning, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. That brings the total in major league camp to 41, a number which includes the absent Ronald Belisario and the injured Cory Wade.
- The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Eric Stults, per Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker
Here are the lineups for the home game:
| Angels | Dodgers | |||
| SS | Aybar | 2B | DeWitt | |
| RF | Abreu | 3B | Blake | |
| CF | Hunter | RF | Ethier | |
| LF | Matsui | LF | Manny | |
| 1B | Morales | 1B | Loney | |
| 2B | Kendrick | DH | Anderson | |
| C | Napoli | SS | Hu | |
| 3B | Wood | CF | Repko | |
| DH | Mathis | C | Knoedler | |
| P | Palmer | P | Monasterios | |
Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to throw 75-80 pitches. Also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers in this game are Jonathan Broxton, George Sherrill, Jeff Weaver, and Justin Miller.
Here are the lineups for the road game:for
| Dodgers | Brewers | |||
| SS | Furcal | 2B | Weeks | |
| RF | Johnson | CF | Gomez | |
| LF | Paul | LF | Braun | |
| CF | Kemp | 1B | Fielder | |
| 1B | Belliard | 3B | McGehee | |
| 2B | Carroll | RF | Hart | |
| 3B | Green | SS | Counsell | |
| C | Ellis | C | Treanor | |
| P | Kershaw |
P | Davis | |
Russ Ortiz will follow Kershaw on the mound against the Brewers.
Charlie Haeger is pitching in a minor league game today "only because we know Arizona is not the best climate for his stuff," said Torre.
TV: The game against the Angels is on Prime Ticket
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Comments
Torre said, of Withrow, today: “I would guess we’ll see him again this week.”
by Eric Stephen on Mar 22, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Cool, you’re acknowledging the (unoriginal) nickname! :)
by silverwidow on Mar 22, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Who are your people?
Withrow does have a very similar delivery to Chad, though.
by silverwidow on Mar 22, 2010 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
It works since he won’t exist until June 2011 :)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 22, 2010 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably not
The only weekend series is in mid-May, and I can’t make it that weekend.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 22, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
One would think that basement dwellers
could go mid-week.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Hoffmann
really struggled with the Yanks and they have a pretty obvious desire for a 5th outfielder. The fact that they sent him back is interesting because his main competitor hit basically in the lower .100 area. The other competition, Golson, was pretty good, but was not expected to compete for the job. Hoffmann made it so that he can compete for it.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Hmm
writer for Pinstripe alley and you thought Hoffman had a chance to beat out Marcus Thames. Never thought that was going to happen even if he did have a bad spring he has solid history as a thumper of LHP.
Oh no, believe me
If I came off saying I thought he would win a spot that’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that the Yankees expected him to win one. I thought he was a bad pick in the first place and that he would struggle but the team expected more from him than he was worth. Thames isn’t tough to beat either
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
the team expected more from him than he was worth.
I don’t think the Yankees are going to miss $25,000 plus interest. ;)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
HEY the Yankees save every dollar!
I love poking fun at them as much as you, don’t worry about that. What I meant by that was they expected him to play better than he was capable of
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
They may have overestimated his hitting abilities at this point
He’s a fine defensive outfielder, which is sometimes as much as you can ask for from a 5th outfielder anyway, but I think they may have expected he had more bat than he does. He has potential there, too, though. I know a lot of D fans who like him. But they may be overestimating his abilities, too. ;)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I think his upside his Reed Johnson
Surprisingly the league is not full of utility Right handed outfielders who can play all three positions and hit lefties enough to warrant a spot in the lineup. This is why Gabe Kaplar still has a job.
Yah and if he can improve to get
even close to Reed Johnson he’ll have a career.
Or he could become a journeyman a la Jason Repko, great fielder, no bat, sadly enough. Hopefully Hoffmann will fare better.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Agreed with both of you
I think Kapler or Johnson is too high, more like Repko. Also, thanks for being the first SB nation blog in a while to not turn my comment into an anti yankee rant. I try to comment on as many as possible and you’d be surprised how many of my harmless comments turn into anti-yankees comments. Thanks guys, keep up the good work!
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Should have seen that one coming!
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Heh
My dad’s a Yankee fan, and I’ve commented on Bronx Banter off and on with enjoyable conversations. And I think a lot of guys here are more open minded/less prone to rant about the Yankees. And even those who do rant about the Yankees do so with love and admiration, I’m sure. ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
haha thats fair
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Thanks for stopping by
TBLA is a very friendly and respectful site to fans of other teams. Hopefully Pinstripe Alley will give our members a similar reception. This guy notwithstanding.
vr, Xei
If Repko is a players upside projection, I’m not sure he’s worth losing any sleep over. I still have slights that a Reed Johnson ceiling is still there for Hoffmann.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Apparently the Yankees are trying to re-acquire him
So the better he is the happier I am!
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Monasterios not looking too good all of a sudden
Uh oh…
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If you can’t count on an obscure Rule 5 pick with Single A experience, who can you count on these days?
by kinbote on Mar 22, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hee
Indeed. Still he’s been looking like a steal so far this Spring and has a legit shot to make the team, if not be the 5th starter. Has big league change and some good stuff. But while he shouldn’t be hyped up based on his previous appearances I guess he shoudn’t be buried for how he fares today.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I like him
And have him making the team. I just see him as the 6th or 7th man out of a strong bullpen.
I also wonder if having to throw to Knoedler instead of
Ellis, Martin or Ausmus doesn’t hurt Monasterios a little bit as well. Knoedler sucks.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Caption
I just read the caption under the headline. Good one. Belliard must have a thick lower body. We’re not selling jeans after all.
I’m a little disappointed that my “no matter how well he does, Carlos Monasterios can’t be the No. 5 starter for long” argument didn’t catch on. The guy has hardly pitched the past two seasons. All those workload worries people had for Belisario a year ago – those would be nothing compared to seeing Carlos M. in the rotation week after week.
I never saw him as a 5th starter
It was either Stults, Haegar or an Ortiz. I always thought Monsasterios was a bullpen guy.
Me to
I’ve thought it strange the Dodgers are even looking at him as a starter. Maybe they told him to suck today so they can pow wow a trade with the Phillies:)
I don't think he'll get much of a chance to be starter
either, esp. given the low # of innings as Jon mentions above. (Tho they are pushing him to go 4 or 5 innings at this point.) Eventually he can be but for now more likely a bullpen guy, long relief or wherever they need him.
Much more importantly to the team is for Russ Ortiz to suck today. ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
The important thing
is can we keep him on the 25 man roster without screwing the team so he can continue his growth next year.
BTW - never saw Kyle Russell in AA/AAA games
I think he is going to spend some quality hitting time in the Cal League.
Interesting that they’re fast tracking Gordon, Martin and Miller to Double-A. The prospect handbook said those three would end up at Inland Empire.
Has a not-quite-obsessive appreciation for Chris Withrow and Siobhan Magnus
Martin is no certainity, frankly neither is Gordon
Unless you heard from an actual Dodger official, I only base the Gordon placement on where he is playing for ST games. Martin just said maybe. The AA team could have Lambo and Van Slyke in the OF (don’t know where Robinson is going, but maybe here too), an IF with Baez and Gordon on the left side, and SPs Withrow, Martin and Miller.
Super diving catch by SuperRepko!
Who continues to play great outfield and wield a whiffle bat.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Garrett Anderson locks up his bench role even further
GA CharleySteinered that one off the wall for a double.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
one of the few guys with real incentive to do so
That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway. Nice to see him and Blake DeWitt, two guys who NEED to do well, actually hitting. I know a lot of people were pulling for Xavier Paul, but this isn’t the 4th outfielder position- this is LH pinch-hitter/5th outfielder, which is may be a perfect role for GA at this point in his career.
I referred to them as Murderer's Row over the weekend
For some reason, I like Ellis’s approach at the plate.
Oh, Hu
Hu and Nick Green, given votes of confidence today with Berroa’s release, then proceed to goof up in the field. Oh well, hope the Dodgers don’t hold it against them.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
After watching 4 live games
I just don’t know what to make of exhibition games, I guess they mean something but I don’t think pitchers are pitching to hitters like they would do in regular season, regulars are not grinding out at bats.
I'll add this
Ramon Ortiz looked a lot more impressive than McDonald. My general impression (after overhearing a Dodger minor league coach) is that the organization believes he has all the tools but until he is able to repeat his delivery and regain whatever confidence he has lost, he’ll pitch in AAA.
I just don't get it
Last season, pitching in relief no less, is a more stressful environment that Spring Training. In those games, as a reliever, McDonald posted a sub 3.00 ERA. Ortiz, in Japan, posted an ERA in the high 5’s.
To throw that out and evaluate these guys based on spring training innings, seems foolish to me.
by Michael White on Mar 22, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
But that’s not demeaning enough!
All kidding aside, I feel bad for James. I honestly don’t think he was ever really considered for the 5th spot this spring because of the situation with the rule 5 guys and the out of option guys and the will not go to AAA guys. He put too much pressure on himself and it cost him.
Which is true
however I only harp on this because I expect that many of who have gone on to be successful in major league baseball who have been in that situation did not react that way in front of the players and staff. Hold your head up and get ready for the next opportunity. Most of the game is mental, there is a reason for separation between those who have talent besides equal opportunity. I wouldn’t even think twice if not for the crying episode last year.
It is not so much results
The Ramon Ortiz I saw on Saturday pitched (and I going to use coach speak) competitively and challenged hitters, he gave up some runs but he also appeared to be in control. McDonald, who I saw on Friday had an okay inning but then came back and could not bet anyone out, got behind hitters and even when he had two strikes, he could not get that third one and gave up some hits and HR.
They are not looking for someone to be like any of their first 3-4 guys, they just want someone who will give them a chance to win and not burn up the pen. I don’t think they know what to expect from McDonald but they don’t want to give him the MR spot just yet.
Even though Withrow is the shiny new toy in camp, Kershaw is still KING. Let’s not forget.
“King Kershaw.” I like the sound of that.
Has a not-quite-obsessive appreciation for Chris Withrow and Siobhan Magnus
Oh please
Withrow is clearly a better pitcher than Kershaw.
by Michael White on Mar 22, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You be right
was just writing what the Brewer guy said. It was our own guy. He won’t be very welcome in the major league clubhouse.
Yeah, well
unless he plays in MLB ST game, he won’t see one in Camelback, minorleaguers have their own locker rooms on the other side of the complex.
Dodgers take the lead against the Brewers
thanks to that awe inspiring DP groundball with 1st/3rd and no outs. Mr Ellis takes they bow for doing such fine work.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/could-the-yankees-get-hoffmann-back.html#disqus_thread
I really do not see the point..
Gaudin for Hoffmann might be a serious overpay by the Yankees; there ought to be several teams eager to take on a fifth starter type. Besides, Ned will want Gaudin+cash to cover the contract.
Mitre hasn’t shown anything since coming back from injury, has he?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
A John Lindsey sighting!
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Mr. Carroll has a Spring Training OBP of .500
To me, he has already earned his salary for 2010 and 2011 to boot!
I don't know who Cory Smith is but he just turned a nice DP
at 3rd base, line drive and then nabbing runner coming back to 1st.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Ya pride yourself on knowing
every single person in the organization and they keep throwing guys at me right and left I had no idea they were in the organization.
Good, now I don't feel so bad
for being clueless about him. ;-)
Seriously, are they signing guys from tryouts or something?
No, wait, here’s a press release on their signing him a few weeks ago.
A former first-round selection of the Cleveland Indians in the 2000 draft, Smith will compete for a spot with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. If he draws a Double-A assignment, he’ll suit up for the Chattanooga Lookouts, their affiliate in the Southern League. Smith has already spent two seasons playing in the Southern League for the Mobile BayBears (2005) and Birmingham Barons (2006).
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
former first-round selection of the Cleveland Indians in the 2000 draft
I bet he’s a gamer, a grinder, and John Hart liked him.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
YES
I guarantee you his motor never stops. Gritty even. I don’t know about what he has in his veins, but I am guessing that it comes from your refrigerator door. John Hart had a huge boner for him and wants to redo our 30 n 30 session for MLB network and project we win it all. :)
They actually did sign a tryout guy, a guy named Rick Rivas.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Tweet from @camelbackranch:
Dodgers still need to get their’s up! RT @DGERBUM: @camelbackranch Why does building in RT field hv"Sox" logo, but LF field has no “LA”?I think it’s because McCourt’s loan hasn’t come through yet.
/cheapshot
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Or he's waiting for an advertiser
to take on the space.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
So I'm guessing
Dodger is going to cut Ronnie pretty soon? I still love the fact that his contract is only guaranteed with less than 209 pounds.
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