Carlos Monasterios Makes the Dodgers
by Eric Stephen on Apr 3, 2010 12:38 PM PDT
in Game Threads
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| In case you missed a 2010 player profile, and want to enter your projections for the season, here is the full list: | |
| Mar 1 | Kuo |
| Mar 2 | Kemp |
| Mar 3 | Kuroda |
| Mar 4 | Manny |
| Mar 5 | Broxton |
| Mar 6 | Blake |
| Mar 7 | Billingsley |
| Mar 8 | DeWitt |
| Mar 9 | Elbert |
| Mar 10 | Loney |
| Mar 11 | Padilla |
| Mar 12 | Carroll |
| Mar 13 | Belisario |
| Mar 14 | Ethier |
| Mar 15 | Sherrill |
| Mar 16 | Furcal |
| Mar 17 | Troncoso |
| Mar 18 | Repko |
| Mar 19 | Mientkiewicz |
| Mar 20 | Anderson |
| Mar 21 | Paul |
| Mar 22 | Monasterios |
| Mar 23 | Johnson |
| Mar 24 | Ra. Ortiz |
| Mar 25 | Stults |
| Mar 26 | Ausmus |
| Mar 27 | Ellis |
| Mar 28 | Haeger |
| Mar 29 | Weaver |
| Mar 30 | Ru. Ortiz |
| Mar 31 | Martin |
| Apr 1 | Green |
| Apr 2 | Belliard |
| Apr 3 | Kershaw |
Angels (12-15-4) at Dodgers (11-16-2)
1:05pm, Dodger Stadium
Six weeks after pitchers and catchers reported to camp, the final exhibition game is finally here. There is only one more hurdle before opening day, and that is today's spring finale at Dodger Stadium between the Dodgers and Angels. The Angels lead the all-time exhibition series, 55-44-2.
The Dodgers' opening day roster is almost set, as Rule 5 pick Carlos Monasterios has made the club, according to manager Joe Torre. That leaves one position left on the opening day roster, likely between infielder (not to mention occasional center fielder and pitcher!) Nick Green and pitcher Russ Ortiz. That decision doesn't have to be finalized tomorrow, but will likely be announced after today's game, as the club is flying to Pittsburgh tonight in preparation for Monday's opener.
Torre said he envisioned the role for Monasterios would be like that of Ramon Troncoso at the beginning of last season, with the ability to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen if needed (might we see another four-inning save?).
Like Monasterios, Ramon Ortiz was very excited when told he made the team. "You can see it in Ramon's face. He's worked so hard for this," Torre said, "He's like a kid again."
Torre said the decision to go with 11 or 12 pitchers has not yet been made, but noted that Charlie Haeger's ability to pitch as both a starter and reliever would help ease the burden of only having 11 pitchers. "Most of these guys in their final start are throwing 50-60 pitches, and Haeger the other night threw 100, and his arm wasn't even tired," Torre said. Haeger will be available to pitch in relief Monday or Wednesday in Pittsburgh, and will start either Saturday or Sunday in Florida.
Hong-Chih Kuo will make the road trip, but it is unsure whether or not he will pitch. If he is placed on the disabled list, as expected, it can be retroactive as far back as March 26, meaning the earliest he could pitch is Saturday in Florida.
Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda will each pitch today, in their final tuneups for the regular season. Both are expected to pitch about four innings, roughly 50-60 pitches each. Billingsley is scheduled to start Thursday in Pittsburgh, and Kuroda is slated to open the series in Florida on Friday.
Here are the lineups:
| Angels | Dodgers | |||
| SS | Aybar | DH | Martin | |
| RF | Abreu | CF | Kemp | |
| CF | Hunter | 1B | Loney | |
| DH | Matsui | 3B | Belliard | |
| 1B | Morales | C | Ausmus | |
| LF | Rivera | LF | Johnson | |
| 2B | Kendrick | SS | Carroll | |
| 3B | Wood | 2B | DeWitt | |
| C | Mathis | RF | Paul | |
| P | Pineiro | P | Billingsley |
|
The scheduled starters for the Pirates in the first three games of the season are, in order, Zach Duke, Ross Ohlendorf, and Paul Maholm.
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Comments
That comment about Haeger seriously leads me to believe
That the team will start with 11 pitchers, at least until Kuo or Belisario are ready to play. Bye-Bye Russ, (thankfully) we hardly knew ye-
Charlie Haeger
He’s a floor wax AND a dessert topping.
by kinbote on Apr 3, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jim Caple and Mark Saxon (ESPN LA) believe Matt Kemp will be MVP, nice
by Julio Nievas on Apr 3, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Rockies lose Jeff Francis
to the DL. He joins Hudson Street.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I dont know what to think
Greg Smith is probably the better pitcher and now he gets the #5 spot
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
On what do you base that?
His peripherals speak crap to me.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
just basing it
on the fact that Francis needed shoulder surgery and missed the whole last year, and is now missing the beginning of this year. Smith hasnt been great either, but hes put together a solid ST
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
does anyone know the Dodgers ST record last year?
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 1:01 PM PDT reply actions
I’m rooting for Butler to win it all
For my pool, the only game that matters is WV/Duke. If West Virginia wins, I win. If Duke wins, my cousin wins.
A Duke win and then a Duke loss in the title game is worth $500 for me. Let’s go Duke! :)
by keithc13 on Apr 3, 2010 3:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ill be rooting for them
my brackets gone to shit, lets go “mid-majors”
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Just realized why the press box was so crowded
Hiroki Kuroda will face Hideki Matsui for the first time in America today.
Could be worse. He could have started sweating and melted down
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
It wasn’t the cleanest DP to say the least. But it got the job done….
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
He looked pretty darn sharp to me. Left a pitch a little up to Abreu, but other than that, he was clean.
I agree. He could have gotten the called strike 3 to Aybar. He’s hitting his corners, thats for sure
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t know the name of Kemp’s AB music, but it sounds like the “Soul Glo” commercial from Coming to America.
My preseason picks
NL CYA: Kershaw (yeah, I’m biased)
AL CYA: King Felix
NL MVP: Pujols
AL MVP: Longoria
my predictions
NY CYA: Roy Halladay
AL CYA: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Pujols
AL MVP: Ichiro
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions
NY CYA: Roy Halladay
Freudian slip, or are you predicting he gets traded to the Mets at the deadline?
Halladay was already traded to the Phillies
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions
In case people are still missing it… NY CYA instead of NL CYA…
by CarolinaDodger on Apr 3, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
My humor is ahead of its time
By about fifteen minutes, it seems.
On Dodger Stadium video board right now
Most games played, 2008-2009, NL:
Adrian Gonzalez 322
Ryan Howard 322
Prince Fielder 321
James Loney 319
Interesting that they are all 1B
So today's game is Alvin & The Chipmunks, The Squeakwel heavy
they “sang” America the Beautiful, then with their creator, they threw out the first pitch. I made this joke on Twitter:
What is this? You mean the creator of the Chipmunks wasn’t Dave Seville? I was lied to!!!
then I got this response from @MisterCustomer:
Actually it kinda was. Seville was Bagdasarian’s stage name. I will now walk into traffic as punishment for knowing that.
Ha!
I looked away for a second
and no TVs temporarily in the press box…was that curve in the dirt? (the one to K Morales)
Yes. Nice biting curve dove into the dirt
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
At least to start the season
we’ll see if he holds it.
Looks like a five inning pitcher to me
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Not me
Pitch counts run up when you strike out 4 through 2 innings
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
19-pitch 2nd
13 strikes, 6 balls
1st pitch strike to 2 of 4 batters
36 pitches through 2
23 S / 13 B
1st pitch strike to 4 of 8
DeWitt sure put on a plate discipline exhibition last night
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Per Vin
thanks to Chris at Dodgerfan.net:
Billingsley didn’t record a single out in the 7th inning after July 5 in 2009 (per Vin)
Vinny agreeing with those that the Dodger Stadium Opener is the bigger deal
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Over at Baseball HQ
all five analysts have zero faith that DeWitt would produce roto value. One is a huge Angel fan who covers the Angels for the site. We have disagreed a bit on DeWitt so to have him reach base five straight times against his Angels is very satisfying.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I wouldn't necessarily disagree that he might not have roto value
BB and OBP aren’t in alot of roto leagues. For the ones they are though, he should at least be a nice option.
The real point of disagreement
is they have him for less then 10 home runs. The bet is that if the gets 400 at bats he will get double digit home runs. Remember he’s a 2nd baseman not a 3rd baseman and he’s going for $1 in most leagues or late picks in drafts. He’ll return a nice return at those values.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
At that cost
Yea, he should give a nice return. He’s not a big power threat, but he looks like he should manage 10-15 or so.
Until he proves he can hit
I think DeWitt needs to bat 8th. Thats not a knock on him, simply because I think if he keeps this patience up (combined with getting pitched around sometimes), he may well post a Bondsian OBP.
Eight is fine for now
but he is showing he could be a solid number two hitter.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
If he ends up anything close to the kind of hitter alot here are predicting
Combine that with this new-found discipline (I say ‘new found’ because its only really happened in the past season or so), and number two hitter may be the worst spot he bats.
He had plenty of plate discipline
in Sept 2008. And power. SSS but it is not like it just showed up.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Like I said
The past season or so. Before the last month of ‘08 he’d shown no sign of being anything special in much of any way, let alone being a big walk guy. But, he’s shown it for a fair number of ABs in the majors now, and through the whole season in AAA last year (at least in that he had more BBs than Ks), so IMO its enough to give him the benefit of the doubt that its no fluke.
I was about to say
this is looking very familiar.
Kemp is being handled by the Angel pitchers
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Perspiration Watch®
In case anyone was wondering, Billingsley wiped his brow with his sleeve before starting the third inning.
Speaking of perspiration, how has Broxton looked this spring?
I know Sherrill is having issues, how about Broxton?
Don't have his spring numbers in front of me
But his velocity is down a bit. I’ve seen him topping out at 95, living in the 92-93 range. That may well just be because its spring so I’m not too worried yet, but thats what I’ve seen so far.
Vinny waxing about Abreu and his patience.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
By the way HU sucked last night.
If that is dazzling defense then he can dazzle somewhere else
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Was it just the last play which cost the Dodgers the game? Or did he suck all around? I missed the game
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
He botched another play that a defensive SS should have made
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yup, low and outside
Walking Abreu no big deal, walking Aybar takes work.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
A flipping bomb
off the front of the loge section.
Total Rick Vaughn this inning
Ball 4
Ball 8
Just a bit outside…
He’s gonna need a rocket up his ass to catch this one
So many people ready to shit on Bills
Dodgers Chad Billingsley in mid season form. Gives up a SECOND DECK Grand Slam to Kendry Morales
I don’t really care. The guy is a nobody.
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
He deserves the criticism, Bills has a lot to prove.
by Torre is a tactical genius on Apr 3, 2010 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
That's true of everybody on the Dodgers with the exception of Manny Ramirez
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Otherwise nobody on the Dodgers has accomplished anything yet.
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Really
I wouldn’t say the rest of the team had problems like Chad had in the 2nd half which is what most everyone is referring to.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Most of them
Don’t mention the second half. Just read a half-dozen comments about Bills doing what he “always does”.
True
but that is what is fresh on their minds.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Problem with Tweeter
it is made for snarky, thus I stay away otherwise my foot would always be in my mouth.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Wow, what a bad inning
39 pitches: 22 strikes, 17 balls
36 pitches in two innings prior
1st pitch strike to 4 of 18
Lot of pitchers have gotten crushed in their last start.
Wandy Rodriguez had an especially bad spring and in particular last start.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
By the time this inning is over
the real game might be starting.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
this lack of D
is really bothering the shit out of me
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 3, 2010 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
It would bother me more, but most of these guys are reserves….
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
How did Tim Corcoran sneak his way into Dodger Stadium?
by Torre is a tactical genius on Apr 3, 2010 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
Random Thought
I predict the unbalanced interleague schedules will cause much consternation this year. We play some great teams, for example.
Ya, that really pisses me off. I don’t give a shit about “rivalries” like the Angels and Yankees. I’d rather play the Royals and Indians.
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
You seem grumpy today
did Billingsley’s crap work put you on edge?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Billingsley is an awful pitcher right now, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until the games matter though.
by Torre is a tactical genius on Apr 3, 2010 2:35 PM PDT reply actions
I’m not the one complaining about the interleague schedule
by Torre is a tactical genius on Apr 3, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
calling someone a "douche" when they're just making an observation (even one you don't agree with)
isn’t really the classiest thing either. Especially when you’re the editor.
OT: Have you guys heard of Chat Roulette?
Basically if you have a webcam, you can “play”. Once playing, a random host who’s also using it, will appear. You can change host to host anytime, everytime is a random user. Beware, though, because there are some strange people out there. I don’t think I’ll “play” again..
Well Julio
you just have to ask yourself what kind of people would be playing this game, and if those kind of people are the kind of people you’d ever have any reason to want to chat with.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I know - Jon Stewart did a thing on it
odd is the right word
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Kuroda doing well.
Not sure if anyone’s noticed?
And
Kuroda is the original Robot Made of Nails
by 68elcamino427 on Apr 3, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't get a picture yet
from the scoreboard, but these “action figures” being touted for giveaway later in the year look kind of dumb. And…they have green in them instead of blue.
… and the dueces are wild …
Never get tired of hearing that.
by 68elcamino427 on Apr 3, 2010 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Take me out, on TV.
Last year, we’d hear GBA every time, then break for commercial. Today the other way round (assuming the stadium was subjected to GBA?) I hope both KCAL and PT do it this way this year. But maybe it was just a fluke.
Just found out I'll be
seeing the Dodgers take on the Marlins this coming Friday night. Looking forward to seeing Kuroda pitch!
A healthy and productive Kuroda should make a lot of Dodger fans happy.
by keithc13 on Apr 3, 2010 3:59 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Russ Ortiz
Is the man! I love that guy, just don’t give him the baseball before the final out of the World Series is recorded. Seriously though, he’s got a ton of heart, a quality that I’m afraid this roster is sorely lacking.
Anyway, I can’t wait for the home opener. I haven’t missed one in thirty years. I like to get there early and watch them play the second inning.
Happy Easter and …PLAY BALL!
Hu, Ellis, and Paul optioned
Final roster decision — Russ Ortiz or Nick Green — won’t come until tomorrow, from Pittsburgh.
It sounds like it’s Green, but that is a guess on my part.
Could it be Kuo? He is travelling right?
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
looks like it's Russ Ortiz
from Jill Painter:
Not official from the Dodgers, but it looks like #RussOrtiz has made the team. Nick Green told me he wasn’t making the trip to Pittsburgh.
When is the earliest Kuo can be back? Perhaps Ortiz can be DFA’d without having pitched
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Thinking about it through Torre’s lens, if you view Ortiz as the next “fill-in” as the starter if necessary, it doesn’t make sense to have him with the club now. If Kuo is healthy in a week, then what? You can’t send down Haeger or Ortiz, so one of them has to be DFA’d. If Torre wanted the12th pitcher, he should have considered Lindblom, Leach, etc who can be sent back down to AAA when Kuo is ready and Ortiz could continue working as a starter.
I don’t really care, because I think Ortiz is garbage as an SP, but Torre seems to be considering him as a viable SP candidate.
by Michael White on Apr 3, 2010 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Does anybody here think Chad/Clayton's high pitch count outings
Were responsible for the 12-pitcher decision? Torre seemed to set on 11 pitchers for the longest time but I think the last two days might’ve increased the need. Hell, even haegar used 100 pitches in only 5 innings, and I doubt, even as a knuckleballer, they’ll let him use too many more very often.
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