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Around SBN: Did The Giants Run Buddy Ryan's 'Polish Goalline'?

Russell Martin Out 4-6 Weeks, Might Miss Opening Day

Dodgers (1-1) at Cubs (2-1)

12:05pm, HoHoKam Park, Mesa, AZ

Joe Torre said Russell Martin will miss four to six weeks, and most likely miss opening day.  Martin has a groin pull, telling reporters this morning "it’s not anything major."  Well, this is something major.  In fact, Torre said Martin knew of his diagnosis this morning, but was downplaying it to the media.

A.J. Ellis will replace Martin on the big league roster, and figures to get the bulk of the starts in Martin's absence. "We have to figure out the right balance between A.J. and [Brad] Ausmus," Torre said, "I don't want to run Ausmus into the ground."

Molly Knight of ESPN reported "Torre doesn't know whether 4 to 6 weeks means back to rehab or back to games."  Knight also reported that Martin will head back to Los Angeles for more tests in the next few days.

Torre added, "He's not shut down and he can work his upper body. Also, not now, but well before he's ready to come back, he can take BP, we think."

Here are the lineups for today's game, if it's not postponed:

Dodgers             
     Cubs
LF Paul SS Castro
SS Carroll RF Fukudome
2B DeWitt 1B Lee
CF Johnson        3B Ramirez
DH Giles CF Colvin
3B Green LF Soriano
C Ellis DH Soto
1B Mitchell C Hill
RF Repko 2B Fontenot
P Kershaw P Gorzelanny   

Scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers are Clayton Kershaw, Josh Towers, Carlos Monasterios, Ramon Troncoso, Travis Schlichting, and Armando Zerpa.

Other pitchers besides Gorzelanny listed in the Cubs pregame notes are Esmailin Caridad, Thomas Diamond, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, and Mike Parisi.

UPDATE: Today's game has been rained out.

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Too much

weight lifting and offseason workouts? Or just one of those things??
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Mar 7, 2010 9:52 AM PST reply actions  

Projections for Ellis

CHONE: wOBA .320
Marcel: wOBA .321

If these projections are even close, it shouldn’t be that much of a disaster considering Martin had an wOBA of .307 last year. And Ellis is better defensively.

by Michael White on Mar 7, 2010 9:55 AM PST reply actions  

Added some notes above

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 9:57 AM PST reply actions  

Joe Torre

on potentially making a deal for a catcher:

At this point in time to find a catcher that’s better than AJ would be tough to do. He’s a workaholic and he’ll give you tough at bats. He’s also a good catcher. I have no hesitation with this kid at all.

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 9:59 AM PST reply actions  

Yeah, let’s leave that up to the professional panicers here at TBLA.

by KellyStephen on Mar 7, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions  

The real panickers are at another blog.

by delias man on Mar 7, 2010 1:43 PM PST up reply actions  

heh

Watch this become a lingering injury throughout the entire year.

by dodgerpreacher on Mar 7, 2010 10:03 AM PST reply actions  

A bunch of other games are being canceled in AZ today; I doubt the Dodgers/Cubs game gets played

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 10:08 AM PST reply actions  

Not sure how today's rain affects things

but the plan, at least, for Monday is for the Dodgers to pitch Billingsley, Elbert, Lindblom, Dohmann, and Link at Scottsdale (vs. Giants)

I would guess if today’s game is rained out, the pitchers scheduled for today would just throw bullpen sessions instead.

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 10:09 AM PST reply actions  

I hope you're right

I can’t wait to see that lineup on the mound

by Julio Nievas on Mar 7, 2010 10:55 AM PST up reply actions  

Is rain coming

Here’s a pic from a few minutes ago from Robert Baly:

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 10:18 AM PST reply actions  

don't worry

we have Brad Ausmus, 2010 all star game here we come

by mcnabb on Mar 7, 2010 10:27 AM PST reply actions  

Bad Sunday for LA sports

First Martin’s groin, now Kobe has the squirts (but will still play)

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 10:42 AM PST reply actions  

with the way the Lakers have been playing they’d lose either way.

by oshea2002 on Mar 7, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions  

This has been a bad sports weekend altogether for LA teams. Since thursday, Kings, Lakers, USC, UCLA all winless in like 7 attempts.

by oshea2002 on Mar 7, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions  

The Clippers also lost on Friday and Saturday.

by Michael White on Mar 7, 2010 11:37 AM PST up reply actions  

even worse then. In fairness USC essentially won yesterday but for some of the worst officiating I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying something in the Pac 10.

by oshea2002 on Mar 7, 2010 11:43 AM PST up reply actions  

Good Luck AJ

Last year we were lucky with injuries so just like the Phillies I expect some pain this year.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Mar 7, 2010 10:58 AM PST reply actions  

Joe seems awful confident

in AJ considering he did everything possible not to play him last year.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Mar 7, 2010 10:59 AM PST reply actions  

Necessity and desperation tend to do that

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions  

The other Cubs’ game (at CBR vs CWS) got rained out

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 11:26 AM PST up reply actions  

I don’t think they are moving the cameras from Glendale to Mesa. From WGN’s tweet:

Looks like today’s Sox vs Cubs game is rained out. Next game on WGN America is Cubs @ Los Angeles, Sunday, March 14 – http://bit.ly/d0T1JR

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 11:28 AM PST up reply actions  

Yes, May

Martin will return to the line-up from hernia surgery in May.

by 68elcamino427 on Mar 7, 2010 11:42 AM PST up reply actions  

Is that your prediction?

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes, Bold Prediction

Martin will have a successful surgery to repair a hernia and will be back in action the 3rd or 4th week in May.

by 68elcamino427 on Mar 7, 2010 1:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Revision

MRI says it’s one of Adductor muscles, which one?
This could turn out to be tricky.

by 68elcamino427 on Mar 7, 2010 9:57 PM PST up reply actions  

THE SILVER GOD!!

I still refuse to give up on that nickname.

The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy

by Humma Kavula on Mar 7, 2010 1:12 PM PST up reply actions  

From Dylan Hernandez:

The 4-6 wk window for Martin’s anticipated recovery is “highly unscientific,” Conte said. Could be shorter, could be longer.

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 11:29 AM PST reply actions  

Bruce Springsteen's response
They prosecuted some poor sucker in these united states
For teachin’ that man descended from the apes
They coulda settles that case without a fuss or fight
If they’d seen me chasin’ you sugar
Thru the jungle last night
They’d a called in that jury and a one two three said
‘part man part monkey, definitely’

Well the church bell rings from the corner steeple
Man in a monkey suit swears he’ll do no evil
Offers his lover’s prayer but his soul lies
Dark and driftin and unsatisfied
Well hey bartender tell me what’d ya see
Part man part monkey looks like to me

Well the night is dark the moon is full
The flowers of romance exert their pull
We talk a while my fingers slip
I’m hard and cracking like a whip

Well did God make man in a breath of holy fire
Or did he crawl on up out of the muck and mire
Well the man on the street
Believes what the Bible tells him so
But you can ask me mister because I know
Tell them soul-suckin’ preachers to come on down and see
Part man part monkey, baby that’s me

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Mar 7, 2010 11:44 AM PST up reply actions  

MLB

has the Boston/Oriole game going on, Josh Bell entered in the sixth inning.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Mar 7, 2010 12:14 PM PST reply actions  

Casey Kelly on the mound

by silverwidow on Mar 7, 2010 12:17 PM PST up reply actions  

He’s impressive. Up to 93 mph with strong command.

by silverwidow on Mar 7, 2010 12:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Kelly strikes out Bell with a picture perfect fastball on the corner.

by silverwidow on Mar 7, 2010 12:23 PM PST up reply actions  

Watching Kelly now. Has kind of an interesting delivery the way he keeps the ball up by his head before he follows through. Reminds me of a quarterback throwing a ball.

by BFDC on Mar 7, 2010 12:45 PM PST up reply actions  

They were interviewing him earlier in the game, but I missed it (was pulling a Kobe)

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:37 PM PST up reply actions  

spilled milk?

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Mar 7, 2010 12:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Not according to Stan Conte

from Dylan H:

Trainer Stan Conte said Martin’s injury is nothing like the one that plagued former Dodger prospect Tony Abreu. Abreu’s injury was in the same general area, but involved a far more parts of the groin/abdominal/hip

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:36 PM PST up reply actions  

That is good to hear.

by BFDC on Mar 7, 2010 12:38 PM PST up reply actions  

martin sucks.

hopefully 4-6 weeks turns into back around the all star break

by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Mar 7, 2010 12:37 PM PST reply actions  

Very enlightened commentary

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:37 PM PST up reply actions  

thank you

lets use this as an opportunity to see what this kid has. martin really doesnt impress either off or def. i do think he does a great job bring intangibles to the table that a catcher must. other than that he is average at best…..

by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Mar 7, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Ellis, the next Casey Blake

by 68elcamino427 on Mar 7, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions  

It isn’t that odd for back up catchers to break in their late 20s.

by Tripon on Mar 7, 2010 1:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Yesterday the 1989 All-Star game was on MLB Network, and Rick Sutcliffe was a late add to the roster. Vin Scully told the story of how Cubs’ employee Ned Colletti called Sutcliffe to tell him he made the team, and even drove to Wrigley Field to get Sutcliffe’s uniform (on short notice). There was a lot of air time for Colletti (or at least the mention of his name)

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:40 PM PST reply actions  

This Martin injury opens up the door

To acquire joez maures for Elbert, leach, de Jesus and Ellis

by SeanMillerSavior on Mar 7, 2010 12:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions  

You’re kidding right?

by BFDC on Mar 7, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m guessing with the Granick like spelling, yes

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 12:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

I was about

to say. Most of those guys will be in KC this year and we will have Granick…..

by keithc13 on Mar 7, 2010 1:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Mauer for Hu. How could Minnesota turn that down?

by silverwidow on Mar 7, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes

because Martin’s health was the only thing keeping that deal from happening

by Michael White on Mar 7, 2010 12:53 PM PST up reply actions  

So the Dodgers source that claimed that Ellis could start the beginning of the season was right!

Also, did 790 KABC stop being the Dodgers broadcaster this year? I tried to listen both today and yesterday, and got crappy talk radio about the housing market.

by Tripon on Mar 7, 2010 1:10 PM PST reply actions  

No radio yesterday, no game today.

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 1:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

LOL

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Mar 7, 2010 3:52 PM PST up reply actions  

When

did Dennis Rodman rejoin the Lakers…oh wait that is Artest what is up with the hair man?

by EdfromAZ on Mar 7, 2010 1:14 PM PST reply actions  

Tag Team Monday!

per Dylan Hernandez:

Kershaw, who was scheduled to start today, will pitch tomorrow vs. the Giants in Scottsdale. Billingsley will start tomorrow’s game

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 1:26 PM PST reply actions  

Pretty tough combo right there.

by silverwidow on Mar 7, 2010 1:34 PM PST up reply actions  

They better take this really slow!

This seems like an injury that could linger. If neccesary, have him start on the 15 day DL. No matter what the Martin hatred say, we will need him this year.

Also, I think this is a time for people to see how lucky we are to have Martin. Last season, BA rated him as the 2nd best defensive catche in baseball behind Y. Molina. And even with his horrible offensive year, he was the 7th beat catcher in baseball.

I am sure someone will point to his passed balls/wild pitches. However I think they need to remember who he had to catch last year, billingsley and Kershaw both has stretches where they had no idea where the ball was going. He also had to deal with Belisario, who does not have perfect control at all, Kuo, with his late breaking slider and even Kuroda had games where it was going anywhere.

A couple links.. First, from fangraphs:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/more-on-catchers-fieldingwppb/

Then Chad/Kensai’s take on Martin. Basically, he says his offense was horrible but his defense remained very good, most likely better than what Ellis will give us:

http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2009/10/2009-season-in-review-catchers.html

Via MOKM, the BA article about defensive tools I talked about above:

http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2009/08/baseball-america-ranks-best-tools.html

Finally, what I had been looking for, the writeup about Martin’s throwing ability:

http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2009/05/russell-martin-throwing-ability_16.html

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 7, 2010 1:39 PM PST via mobile reply actions  

Bottom Line

Martin has been the catcher for the pitching staff
puttting up some of the best stats in the MLB the past two seasons.

by 68elcamino427 on Mar 7, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Dodgers / Cubs to play "B" game tomorrow at 9:30 at CBR

Probable pitchers:

"B" Game vs. Chicago – 9:30 a.m. on White Sox Practice Field:
LHP Scott Elbert
RHP Josh Lindblom
RHP Ramon Troncoso
RHP Travis Schlichting
RHP Kenley Jansen
RHP Javy Guerra
LHP Armando Zerpa
 
Dodgers at Giants – 1:05 p.m. in Scottsdale :
RHP Chad Billingsley
LHP Clayton Kershaw
RHP Josh Towers
RHP Carlos Monasterios
RHP Jon Link
RHP Francisco Felix
LHP Juan Perez

by Eric Stephen on Mar 7, 2010 1:48 PM PST reply actions  

Yes, my 1.5 TB external HD just came in. I can back up everything now.

Including the photos of me having way too much good of a time. :O

by Tripon on Mar 7, 2010 1:59 PM PST reply actions  

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2012 Dodgers Payroll

Italics denote estimates
Pos No Player 2012 Salary
C 17 Ellis $500,000 team control
1B 7 Loney $6,375,000
2B 14 Ellis $2,500,000
3B 5 Uribe $8,000,000
SS 9 Gordon $485,000 team control
LF 21 Rivera $4,000,000
CF 27 Kemp $10,000,000
RF 16 Ethier $10,950,000

IF/OF 6 Hairston $2,250,000
OF 10 Gwynn $850,000
2B/3B 3 Kennedy $800,000
C 18 Treanor $850,000
IF 12 Sellers $485,000 team control

SP 22 Kershaw $8,500,000 arb
SP 58 Billingsley $9,000,000
SP 29 Lilly $12,000,000
SP 37 Capuano $3,000,000
SP 44
Harang $3,000,000

CL 54 Guerra $485,000 team control
RHP 74
Jansen $500,000 team control
RHP 55 Guerrier $4,750,000
RHP Coffey $1,000,000
RHP 66 MacDougal $650,000
LHP 57 Elbert $485,000 team control
RHP 36
Hawksworth $500,000 team control

TJ 41 De La Rosa $485,000 team control



Manny $8,087,432 deferred


Andruw $3,375,000 deferred


Pierre $3,050,000 deferred
Furcal $3,000,000 deferred
Kuroda $2,000,000 deferred
Garland $1,500,000 option buyout
Blake $1,250,000 option buyout

Totals
$114,662,432

For more detailed information, click here.

Players on 40-man roster used as roster
fillers until moves are made.

Current 40-man roster count: 40
(not including Belisario)

2012 Non-Roster Invitees

No Player Age*
63 Jose Ascanio rhp
27
61 Alberto Castillo lhp
36
60 Matt Chico lhp
29
35 John Grabow lhp
33
59 Angel Guzman rhp
30
47 Wil Ledezma lhp
31
72 Shane Lindsay rhp
27
62 Fernando Nieve rhp 29
73 Scott Rice lhp 30
70 Will Savage rhp
27
71 Ryan Tucker rhp
25

30 Josh Bard c 34
82 Griff Erickson c 24
81 Matt Wallachc 26
67 Jeff Baisley 3b/1b 29
62 Luis Cruz ss/2b 28
33 Josh Fields 3b 29
64 Lance Zawadzki if 27
56 Cory Sullivan of 32

*Age on June 30, 2012

NRI count: 19

For more info, click here.


Manager

Eric___ned___reporters_2011_trade_deadline_small Eric Stephen

Editors

100_1427_small Phil Gurnee

Dgy_small David Young

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