:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59207955/usa_today_10742371.0.jpg)
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers catcher and occasional third baseman Kyle Farmer made his first opening day roster, and beginning Tuesday he also has a new uniform number.
Farmer wore 65 for his major league debut last July and kept that number through spring training. Now he will wear No. 17, a number he wore both in high school and in college at the University of Georgia. He also wore it occasionally in the minors.
“It’s my favorite number,” Farmer said. “I was just happy it was available.”
Non-roster infielder Donovan Solano wore number 17 during spring training, and was worn last year by Brandon Morrow. Other Dodgers catchers to wear 17 include A.J. Ellis and Rick Dempsey.
Yimi in Arizona
Relief pitcher Yimi Garcia remains at the Dodgers facility at Camelback Ranch, on a throwing program as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. A few hurdles to clear for Garcia, who was placed on the disabled list to open the season, include pitching in back-to-back games and also pitching in an appearance of longer than one inning, basically like the last week to 10 days of spring training for most relievers.
“Some time around the second week of April all the boxes will be checked for Yimi and that’s a big win for all of us,” manager Dave Roberts said. “At that point in time we’ll make a decision about what’s best for him and what’s in the best interests of our ball club.”
Clean those pipes
Roberts spent his off day Wednesday at his home in San Diego, and returned to Dodger Stadium to see that his office as well as the coaches room were repaired after taking some damage during Tuesday night’s pipe burst.
After saying the clubhouse was unaffected by the pipe burst, Roberts on Thursday was asked about his office.
“Just okay,” he said. “But the coaches room and the manager’s office got taken care of, thankfully.”
Roberts said that the wine bottles kept in his office were unharmed in the incident, so there’s that.
The Dodgers on Wednesday released a statement about the pipe burst: “There were issues with the drainage system at Dodger Stadium. The club has made repairs and has thoroughly examined the entire system. The team is confident that there will be no further issues.”