True Blue LA - March 10: Dodgers 8, Athletics 8Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-03-10T17:51:38-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/52659592014-03-10T17:51:38-07:002014-03-10T17:51:38-07:00League struggling, Wilson okay after scare
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Both Dodgers relievers allowed two runs in their outing on Monday, but the concern about them is for different reasons.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- A pair of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> relief pitchers had rough outings on Monday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>, causing a bit of a stir, though the degree of concern may depend on your point of view.</p>
<p>The good news for the Dodgers is that both <span>Brian Wilson</span> and <span>Brandon League</span> are healthy, with no issues to report. Both allowed two runs in an abbreviated outing on Monday, both unable to finish the inning they started.</p>
<p>With Wilson, there was a bit of a scare when facing his first batter, <span>Addison Russell</span>, both manager Don Mattingly and assistant trainer Greg Harrel ran out to the mound for a visit.</p>
<p>"The reason I ended up going out there was because Rick [Honeycutt, pitching coach] said he saw something. As Greg is talking to him, he said he's not hurting anywhere. He did say he warmed up a long time that inning," Mattingly said. "He sounds fine."</p>
<p>The mound meeting ended quickly with Wilson remaining in the game and not needing to throw a warm-up pitch. Russell hit a booming double to left center field, and scored on a single by Jose Martinez.</p>
<p>Wilson said he was fine after the game, as did director of medical services Stan Conte. Wilson was pulled one batter later, but because he was at his pitch limit of 15 pitches, as most of the regular relievers are pitching an accelerated schedule this week to get ready for Australia (one day off before next outing, then back-to-back days during the weekend, for instance).</p>
<p>In his three months with the Dodgers, counting the postseason, Wilson only allowed a run in one of 24 appearances, on Sept. 7 in Cincinnati. Mattingly said the similarity between that game and Monday vs. Oakland was a pro-longed warm-up period for Wilson.</p>
<p>"The only time we've really ever seen him get hit is when he's had to warm up a long time," Mattingly said. "He got hit last year in Cincinnati when he went up and down, and had to wait."</p>
<p>League, however, was hit hard often in 2013, and his 2014 spring training has left a little to be desired. League pitched the sixth inning on Monday and after he walked his first batter (old friend <span>Nick Punto</span>), <span>Josh Donaldson</span> hit a tape measure shot to center field for a two-run home run.</p>
<p>League was removed two batters later.</p>
<p>In three Cactus League appearances this spring, League has faced 16 batters and retired half of them. He has allowed five runs and four walks in 2⅔ innings. With just six days before the team boards a flight to Australia, the team could face a tough decision regarding League, who has $15 million and two years remaining on his contract.</p>
<p>"Obviously we're not happy with the results. Brandon's not happy with the results," Mattingly said. "We continue on, we're glad it's spring training. He's getting work, and you've got to continue to get better and get the ball where you want to get it. His velocities are up, pretty much where we expect him to be."</p>
<p>After re-watching all three of League's appearances this spring, he has thrown 66 total pitches. Of those, 29 have been balls; 22 (33.3%) have been swung at (his career rate is 48.7%) with only two swings and misses (3.0%), down from 10.1% career.</p>
<h4>Rotation set</h4>
<p>After Dan Haren Tuesday and one of the Zack(h)s Wednesday, <span>Paul Maholm</span> will start Thursday for the Dodgers against Cincinnati and <span>Josh Beckett</span> gets the call Friday in Mesa against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a>, Mattingly said Monday. Beckett, who like Maholm last pitched on Saturday, will be pitching with an extra day of rest.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/10/5493526/brian-wilson-brandon-leagueEric Stephen2014-03-10T17:24:11-07:002014-03-10T17:24:11-07:00Magill among 5 Monday roster cuts
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<figcaption>Eric Stephen | True Blue LA</figcaption>
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<p>There are now 43 players remaining in big league camp for the Dodgers.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Monday made their second round of roster cuts, trimming five more players from the roster. <span>Matt Magill</span> was optioned to minor league camp, while <span>J.C. Boscan</span>, <span>Clint Robinson</span>, <span>Brendan Harris</span> and <span>Carlos Frias</span> were reassigned to the minor league side.</p>
<p>Magill got the final two outs of the eighth inning on Monday, and in three games this spring struck out six and allowed one run in 5⅔ innings. Magill, 24, entered the season with two option years remaining.</p>
<p>Boscan, 34, has played in the major leagues in parts of each of the last four seasons with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>. The catcher, a non-roster invitee, appeared in five Cactus League games and had a single and two walks in six plate appearances.</p>
<p>Frias, 24, reached Double-A Chattanooga for the first time last year and was 8-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 28 games across three levels in 2013, including 22 starts. Frias last year struck out 105 and walked 41 in 130⅓ innings. In his first big league camp as a non-roster invitee Frias pitched in four Cactus League games, allowing five runs on eight hits in three innings, with two strikeouts. He faced five batters Monday, and retired none of them, allowing four hits and a walk.</p>
<p>Robinson hit .254/.353/.421 with 23 doubles and 13 home runs in 111 games between Double-A New Hamsphire and Triple-A Buffalo in 2013. The 29-year-old non-roster invitee is one of five Dodgers to have played all 14 Cactus League games so far, and was 8-for-23 (.348) with a home run. He seems ticketed for first base with the Isotopes and his fourth straight year in Triple-A.</p>
<p>Harris, 33, saw time with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in 44 major league games in 2013. The utility infielder was another member of the 14-game club this spring, and in Cactus League action was 3-for-19 (.158) with three walks.</p>
<p>With the cuts, there are now 43 players remaining in camp, including 24 pitchers, 19 position players and among them <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/21/5129042/2014--dodgers-spring-training-non-roster-invitees">eight non-roster invitees</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/10/5490668/dodgers-roster-cuts-matt-magill-jc-boscan-carlos-frias-clint-robinsonEric Stephen2014-03-10T16:15:05-07:002014-03-10T16:15:05-07:00Ryu continues to build toward Australia
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers have four ties in 14 games this spring.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- <span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> continued his solid spring training with five strong innings on Monday in his second-to-last start of the Cactus League in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' 8-8 tie with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> at Camelback Ranch.</p>
<p>One day after manager Don Mattingly announced Ryu would start the second game of the season for the Dodgers in Australia — Ryu said of the assignment, "I'll do my best to be prepared for the series and perform to the highest expectations." — Ryu allowed just one run on three hits and a walk in his five innings, with four strikeouts.</p>
<p>"I'm satisfied with the command of my pitches, the fastball, curve, changeup," Ryu said. "Everything was down in the zone."</p>
<p>In three Cactus League starts this spring, Ryu has allowed three runs in 11 innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts.</p>
<p>"Hyun-jin was good again. We're just moving forward toward Australia," Mattingly said. "He's been throwing the ball good for us all spring."</p>
<p>He threw 69 pitches on Monday, and hopes to throw about 85 in his final spring start on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>.</p>
<p>"What I wanted to accomplish [this spring] mostly is pitch count, and to continue to build up the arm strength so I can get my pitch count up so I can pitch in the regular season accordingly."</p>
<h4>Dre goes deep</h4>
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<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29822561/20140310_jla_sz6_256.0.jpg" align="middle" width="300"><span>Ethier hits a three-run home run in the first inning. (Photo: Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports)</span>
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<p><span>Andre Ethier</span> hit a three-run home run well over the right field fence in the first inning. It was the first extra-base hit of the Cactus League for Ethier, who said his approach at the plate will change a bit with just a week of exhibition games remaining.</p>
<p>"I didn't want to get too far ahead, trying to hit balls too far or too hard right away. I want to stay up the middle early on, then once I'm good at squaring those balls up consistently I can start adding on," Ethier said. "This is the week you can start adding on a little bit, taking calculated swings at times, then at other times staying back and taking base hits whenever you need them."</p>
<p>Ethier also singled later in the game and was 2-for-3 in the game. He's hitting .320/.346/.440 (8-for-25) this spring.</p>
<h4>Dual threat</h4>
<p>This spring training so far has seen catcher <span>J.C. Boscan</span> pinch run for <span>Carl Crawford</span> and now this...</p>
<p><span>Miguel Olivo</span> came through with a pinch-hit, bases-loaded double to widen the Dodgers' lead to 7-3 in the seventh inning, but what he did next was more notable. With Luke Gregerson on the mound and nobody really paying attention, Olivo dashed for third base for an easy stolen base.</p>
<p>In a game featuring the top two stolen basemen of the spring in <span>Dee Gordon</span> (eight steals) and <span>Billy Burns</span> (seven steals), the 35-year-old catcher had the game's only steal.</p>
<p>Olivo has 53 stolen bases in his 12-year major league career, including 6-for-9 when attempting to steal third base.</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p>The Dodgers head north to Surprise on Tuesday to battle the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>, one of just two road trips remaining in the Cactus League for Los Angeles. Dan Haren gets the start for the Dodgers, putting him in line to pitch somewhere again on Sunday before he heads</p>
<h4>Monday particulars</h4>
<p>Home runs: Andre Ethier (1), <span>Juan Uribe</span> (2); Michael Taylor (1), <span>Josh Donaldson</span> (2)</p>
<p>WP - none</p>
<p>LP - none</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/10/5493050/hyun-jin-ryu-andre-ethier-dodgers-athleticsEric Stephen2014-03-10T12:43:23-07:002014-03-10T12:43:23-07:00Greinke throws bullpen session, Wed. start in play
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greinke threw a bullpen session and took part in fielding drills on Monday morning at Camelback Ranch.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> on a relatively uneventful Monday, but most of the news came on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. <span>Zack Greinke</span> threw a bullpen session on Monday morning and if all goes well after his fielding drills he could get the start on Wednesday against Arizona.</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
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<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#00483a" width="125"><font color="#ffbe00"><b>Athletics</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Burns (S)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Punto (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Donaldson</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
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<td>DH</td>
<td>Cespedes</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Callaspo (S)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Taylor</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Gimenez</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Fuld (L)</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Federowicz</td>
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<td>2B</td>
<td>Elmore</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Ryu</td>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Camelback Ranch<br><b>Time</b>: 1:05 p.m. PT<br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA (Steiner/Hershiser)<br><b>Radio</b>: none<br></span>
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<p>Greinke, depending on how his calf feels after Monday's efforts, could start Wednesday either against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> or in a simulated game. The other option to start Wendesday's Cactus League contest is <span>Zach Lee</span>, who last started on Friday.</p>
<p>"It's kind of up in the air with [Greinke]," manager Don Mattingly said. "If everybody feels like he's safer one way or another, we'll go that way."</p>
<p>On the mound for the Dodgers on Monday is Hyun-jin Ryu, who is expected to throw roughly 75 pitches, maybe a few more against Oakland. If Ryu lasts five innings, there won't be enough frames left over for the remaining relievers to all throw a full inning, but scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers today in relief are they money men in the bullpen: <span>Kenley Jansen</span>, <span>Brian Wilson</span>, <span>J.P. Howell</span>, <span>Chris Perez</span> and <span>Brandon League</span>.</p>
<p><span>Dee Gordon</span> gets the start at second base, his third start at the position in the last four days. If you're keeping track, Gordon has played 40 Cactus League innings at second base compared to 31 for <span>Alex Guerrero</span>, and that's before Monday (in terms of Cactus League plate appearances, the team leaders are <span>Chone Figgins</span> with 28, Gordon and Dee Baxter with 27, and Guerrero with 26).</p>
<p>Today's game features leadoff hitters for both teams that are the top two base stealers in spring training so far. Gordon is 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts to lead baseball, while A's non-roster center field speedster <span>Billy Burns</span>, acquired in December from Washington for southpaw relief pitcher <span>Jerry Blevins</span>, is 7-for-9 in would-be thefts.</p>
<p>Mattingly thought it was a bit too early to address whether Gordon, if (when) he makes the team might bat leadoff in games he starts.</p>
<p>"We'll see if we get there. We're in hypotheticals, but we'll try a combination of guys, with Carl, Yasiel and if Dee's part of that equation," Mattingly said. "We've been talking a little bit more about the lineup, where we would like to go with it, righty-lefty."</p>
<p>Guerrero on Monday went with <span>Matt Kemp</span> to get more at-bats in an intrasquad game on the minor league side.</p>
<p>For the first time all spring the Dodgers' lineup card did not also include scheduled reserves. Mattingly said he would try to get most of the regulars an extra at-bat here and there when he can.</p>
<p><span>Blake Smith</span>, the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2009 out of Berkeley, is in uniform from the minor league side for today's game, wearing No. 94. He converted from outfielder to the mound in 2013, and the right-hander put up a 7.78 ERA in 21 games in relief for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in his first year on the mound, with 19 walks and 12 strikeouts in 19... innings.</p>
<p>Other minor leaguers in uniform for the Dodgers today include pitcher Juan Gonzalez (No. 95) and outfielders <span>Jon Garcia</span> (88), <span>Jacob Scavuzzo</span> (89) and <span>Trayvon Robinson</span> (90).</p>
<p><span>Jarrod Parker</span> starts on the mound for Oakland. Other A's pitchers who made the trip are <span>Joe Savery</span>, <span>Luke Gregerson</span>, <span>Philip Humber</span>, <span>Matt Buschmann</span>, <span>Dan Otero</span>, <span>Arnold Leon</span> and <span>Deryk Hooker</span>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/10/5491048/zack-greinke-bullpen-session-dodgers-athleticsEric Stephen