A could news of note on the bullpen from Monday.
As expected, Brian Wilson exercised his massive $10 million option for 2015. There was no way in the world any team would pay anything even close to that, or even half of that. So ya, there was zero suspense in this decision.
Last season was just an absolute disaster for Wilson, who wasn't anywhere close to the pitcher who signed with the Dodgers at the trade deadline in 2013. In 61 games, he went 2-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. It was stunning to see just how ineffective he was. I thought he would be even stronger following Tommy John surgery a couple years ago. Boy was I wrong.
Like it or not, he'll be back. That doesn't mean he won't be released at some point, but that's a big chunk of change to eat. Let's just hope he mercifully doesn't pitch in the setup role again. That would be embarrassing.
Someone who will not be back is Scott Elbert, who rejected a minor league assignment and chose free agency. He was nowhere to be found for two years with one elbow injury after another. Then he resurfaced at the end of this season and made the playoff roster, but gave up a huge two-run homer to Kolten Wong in Game 3 of the NLDS, putting the Dodgers in a hole they would not recover from.
In a perfect world both of these guys would be gone, but one out of two ain't bad.
Showing posts with label Elbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elbert. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Same old story: Dodgers' bullpen crumbles once again
Game 3 was more of the same for the Dodgers. A close game in the late innings. A starting pitcher yanked. And a bullpen than simply cannot get the big outs when needed.
Add it all up, and it's the Cardinals who are feeling good after a 3-1 victory in Game 3 of the NLDS. Game 4 is Tuesday afternoon, as the Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest to salvage the series.
The story for the start of Game 3 was the return of Hyun-Jin Ryu, and with a strikeout of Matt Carpenter to start the game, he showed that his shoulder was ready to go. He ended up lasting six innings, giving up one run on five hits, striking out four. He really gave the Dodgers everything they could've hoped for.
Who didn't give the Dodgers what they hoped for? That's right - the damn bullpen. More specifically, the middle relief, because they're so bad at this point, Kenley Jansen stands virtually no chance of being handed the ball in the ninth with a lead. It's gotten downright embarrassing watching the middle relief in action.
In the previous two games, we've seen Pedro Baez and J.P. Howell fall apart. In Game 3, it was Scott Elbert's turn. With the rain coming down hard from a passing shower, Yadier Molina took a first-pitch fastball to left for a double to start the seventh.
After a Jon Jay sacrifice bunt, Kolten Wong deposited a 405-foot home run to right, KO'ing any chance the Dodgers had in this one. Elbert gave up a double to Carpenter for good measure before mercifully getting the hook.
I know a lot of people blame Don Mattingly for putting Elbert in, as it clearly was the wrong move. But think about it - who the hell else is there to turn to? Brian Wilson? Give me a break. He faced three batters, giving up a double and intentional walk. After getting an out, he had the nerve to act surprised that he was getting pulled. That's right, the guy who's stunk it up all season long is mad he's getting pulled. Whatever.
Brandon League is another option, but not much of one. Howell was very fortunate to turn a double play on a ball hit back to him to end the eighth. Of course, he gave up another single right before that to load the bases. He's about as easy a reliever to hit as there is in baseball right now.
At this point, the Dodgers are going to have to win in spite of the crap that sits in the bullpen all game, then comes in and gives up hard hit after hard hit. I guess they can only hope Kershaw and Zack Greinke keep their pitch counts low, keep the score lower, and bridge the gap themselves to Jansen.
Two guys we haven't seen appear yet are Jamey Wright and Carlos Frias, so don't be surprised if they're next in line to give this thing a shot. You can also include Dan Haren on that list since he's been bumped from his Game 4 start. Hell, he's better than watching some of these other clowns.
Despite all of this, the Dodgers only need to win two straight games to advance. One in St. Louis with Kershaw looking for redemption, and back in LA with Greinke. That's certainly doable. Maybe someone like Adrian Gonzalez or Hanley Ramirez hits a couple homers and leads the way.
It will also help to not have the incredibly inconsistent Dale Scott calling balls and strikes. He should be an NBA referee with all the home town calls he gave. I don't blame Kemp at all for going off about the strike zone. It was a joke all night long.
Add it all up, and it's the Cardinals who are feeling good after a 3-1 victory in Game 3 of the NLDS. Game 4 is Tuesday afternoon, as the Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest to salvage the series.
The story for the start of Game 3 was the return of Hyun-Jin Ryu, and with a strikeout of Matt Carpenter to start the game, he showed that his shoulder was ready to go. He ended up lasting six innings, giving up one run on five hits, striking out four. He really gave the Dodgers everything they could've hoped for.
Who didn't give the Dodgers what they hoped for? That's right - the damn bullpen. More specifically, the middle relief, because they're so bad at this point, Kenley Jansen stands virtually no chance of being handed the ball in the ninth with a lead. It's gotten downright embarrassing watching the middle relief in action.
In the previous two games, we've seen Pedro Baez and J.P. Howell fall apart. In Game 3, it was Scott Elbert's turn. With the rain coming down hard from a passing shower, Yadier Molina took a first-pitch fastball to left for a double to start the seventh.
After a Jon Jay sacrifice bunt, Kolten Wong deposited a 405-foot home run to right, KO'ing any chance the Dodgers had in this one. Elbert gave up a double to Carpenter for good measure before mercifully getting the hook.
I know a lot of people blame Don Mattingly for putting Elbert in, as it clearly was the wrong move. But think about it - who the hell else is there to turn to? Brian Wilson? Give me a break. He faced three batters, giving up a double and intentional walk. After getting an out, he had the nerve to act surprised that he was getting pulled. That's right, the guy who's stunk it up all season long is mad he's getting pulled. Whatever.
Brandon League is another option, but not much of one. Howell was very fortunate to turn a double play on a ball hit back to him to end the eighth. Of course, he gave up another single right before that to load the bases. He's about as easy a reliever to hit as there is in baseball right now.
At this point, the Dodgers are going to have to win in spite of the crap that sits in the bullpen all game, then comes in and gives up hard hit after hard hit. I guess they can only hope Kershaw and Zack Greinke keep their pitch counts low, keep the score lower, and bridge the gap themselves to Jansen.
Two guys we haven't seen appear yet are Jamey Wright and Carlos Frias, so don't be surprised if they're next in line to give this thing a shot. You can also include Dan Haren on that list since he's been bumped from his Game 4 start. Hell, he's better than watching some of these other clowns.
Despite all of this, the Dodgers only need to win two straight games to advance. One in St. Louis with Kershaw looking for redemption, and back in LA with Greinke. That's certainly doable. Maybe someone like Adrian Gonzalez or Hanley Ramirez hits a couple homers and leads the way.
It will also help to not have the incredibly inconsistent Dale Scott calling balls and strikes. He should be an NBA referee with all the home town calls he gave. I don't blame Kemp at all for going off about the strike zone. It was a joke all night long.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Taking a look at the loaded Dodgers' bullpen
If you're a Dodger fan looking for quality arms, then Christmas was very kind. Ned Colletti announced the signings of Chris Perez, Jamey Wright, and J.P. Howell on Tuesday, giving the Dodgers one of the deepest, and hopefully best, bullpens in all of baseball.
To go along with the signings of those three is the return of Brian Wilson, who was re-signed about three weeks ago. With that in mind, let's take a look at the arms that could form the 'pen in April, with their 2013 stats in parenthesis.
Shoo-Ins:
Closer - RHP Kenley Jansen (28 saves, 16 holds, 1.88 ERA, 0.86 WHIP)
Enters the season as the clear-cut closer, and there's little reason to believe that will change. Then again, in a crazy spot like closer, anything can happen. Didn't Brandon League enter 2013 as the closer? And wasn't Jonathan Broxton once a "shutdown" closer? You get the point. Still, with a great fastball and cutter, it's hard to believe Jansen will flop.
Setup - RHP Brian Wilson (3 holds, 0.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP)
In a great move by Colletti, was brought back as both the primary eighth inning guy, and a fallback option in case Jansen has some troubles. Was everything the Dodgers could have hoped for and more in 2013, and with more time ticking away since his Tommy John surgery in 2012, should have even stronger stuff for 2014.
LHP J.P. Howell (11 holds, 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)
Got the multi-year deal he was searching for, and with a .164 average against left-handed hitters, will find himself in plenty of big situations once again. Two straight seasons of great numbers with the Rays and Dodgers shows he's up for the challenge.
LHP Paco Rodriguez (20 holds, 2 saves, 2.32 ERA, 0.90 WHIP)
About the only thing that went wrong for him in an incredible rookie year was the nosedive he took at the end of last year, as he was actually left off of the NLCS roster. But with a fresh arm and deceptive delivery, showed what he could do for many months. The hope, of course, is that his arm strength can last during the rigors of a full season.
RHP Chris Perez (25 saves, 1 hold, 4.33 ERA, 1.43 WHIP with Indians)
He's a two-time All-Star, so he certainly knows how to get the big outs. Last season was a disaster in every way for him, whether he was getting hurt, blowing saves, or getting busted by the law. The best thing for him could very well be pitching in friendly Dodger Stadium against weaker offenses and away from the closing spotlight. I like the addition, as I'll take a chance on him over a bum like Ronald Belisario any day of the week.
Long Relief - RHP Jamey Wright (6 holds, 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with Rays)
As Colletti recently admitted, he wished he was more aggressive in re-signing him after the 2012 season. A year of long relief success later, that's exactly what he did in bringing him back to LA for the same role. There really aren't a whole heck of a lot of pitchers who actually embrace the role of getting ready quickly to pitch multiple innings at a moment's notice, and he's one of the best, so it's a good move.
Battling it Out:
RHP - Chris Withrow (4 holds, 1 save, 2.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP)
Like Rodriguez, is another young arm who got plenty of big outs. I bet people will look at those numbers above and be pleasantly surprised. I can see him teaming with Perez and Rodriguez in the middle innings to bridge the gap to Wilson and Jansen. He's got the hard stuff to do it.
RHP Jose Dominguez (1 hold, 2.16 ERA, 1.68 WHIP)
A young man with electric stuff, as he can reach 100 MPH at any point. He's very fortunately to have such a low ERA, as opponents hit .314 off of him, albeit in a small sample size with 8 1/3 innings. Still, there's something about power arms out of the bullpen that is so intriguing, and if he can learn to pitch to corners and mix in some soft stuff, he can be a huge weapon.
RHP Brandon League (14 saves, 2 holds, 5.30 ERA, 1.55 WHIP)
Ahhh, good old League, the guy who won't go anywhere thanks to two years left on a three-year, $22.5 million contract. What a shame it would be if he beats out better arms like Withrow and Dominguez, but that's a definite possibility. Maybe Rick Honeycutt found something in his delivery that will improve him? I'm searching for something here, because it's hard to get even a little bit excited to see him pitch again.
Don't Forget About:
LHP Scott Elbert (Did not pitch in 2013)
Still recovering from Tommy John surgery, he will be out until around the All-Star break at best guess. Pitched mostly in 2011 and 2012, and with ERA's of 2.43 and 2.20, respectively, it's easy to see why a lefty with hard stuff like him sticks around. Suppose Rodriguez gets worn down again, then possibly Elbert steps in down the stretch. It might not be entirely realistic to count on him for any of 2014, but like it says above, don't forget about him.
Bottom Line:
By my count, that's nine guys duking it out for between 7-8 spots in the bullpen (taking out an injured Elbert). Plus, you have to remember that when fully healthy, the starting rotation sports six guys in Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dan Haren, Chad Billingsley, and Josh Beckett. You know those first three names won't be anywhere near the bullpen, so one of Haren, Billingsley, or Beckett may have to be do the Chris Capuano act of bouncing between starter and reliever.
With the way this team gets hurt, Don Mattingly might not need to make many tough decisions on who stays and who goes, much like the outfield situation from last season. But of the three names on the "Battling it Out" list, I'd say as of right now Withrow gets the nod, with League and then Dominguez. League is awful, but has that damn contract, so he can't be ignored. Dominguez has to show more consistency before getting a permanent stay in LA.
Colletti has stated that he's all but done with roster moves, so it would be a surprise to see another reliever signed. Then again, if the Dodgers bid and are successful in getting Masahiro Tanaka, then that throws a wrench into all of these plans, not that that's a bad thing if this kid is the real deal. We shall see.
To go along with the signings of those three is the return of Brian Wilson, who was re-signed about three weeks ago. With that in mind, let's take a look at the arms that could form the 'pen in April, with their 2013 stats in parenthesis.
Shoo-Ins:
Closer - RHP Kenley Jansen (28 saves, 16 holds, 1.88 ERA, 0.86 WHIP)
Enters the season as the clear-cut closer, and there's little reason to believe that will change. Then again, in a crazy spot like closer, anything can happen. Didn't Brandon League enter 2013 as the closer? And wasn't Jonathan Broxton once a "shutdown" closer? You get the point. Still, with a great fastball and cutter, it's hard to believe Jansen will flop.
Setup - RHP Brian Wilson (3 holds, 0.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP)
In a great move by Colletti, was brought back as both the primary eighth inning guy, and a fallback option in case Jansen has some troubles. Was everything the Dodgers could have hoped for and more in 2013, and with more time ticking away since his Tommy John surgery in 2012, should have even stronger stuff for 2014.
LHP J.P. Howell (11 holds, 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)
Got the multi-year deal he was searching for, and with a .164 average against left-handed hitters, will find himself in plenty of big situations once again. Two straight seasons of great numbers with the Rays and Dodgers shows he's up for the challenge.
LHP Paco Rodriguez (20 holds, 2 saves, 2.32 ERA, 0.90 WHIP)
About the only thing that went wrong for him in an incredible rookie year was the nosedive he took at the end of last year, as he was actually left off of the NLCS roster. But with a fresh arm and deceptive delivery, showed what he could do for many months. The hope, of course, is that his arm strength can last during the rigors of a full season.
RHP Chris Perez (25 saves, 1 hold, 4.33 ERA, 1.43 WHIP with Indians)
He's a two-time All-Star, so he certainly knows how to get the big outs. Last season was a disaster in every way for him, whether he was getting hurt, blowing saves, or getting busted by the law. The best thing for him could very well be pitching in friendly Dodger Stadium against weaker offenses and away from the closing spotlight. I like the addition, as I'll take a chance on him over a bum like Ronald Belisario any day of the week.
Long Relief - RHP Jamey Wright (6 holds, 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with Rays)
As Colletti recently admitted, he wished he was more aggressive in re-signing him after the 2012 season. A year of long relief success later, that's exactly what he did in bringing him back to LA for the same role. There really aren't a whole heck of a lot of pitchers who actually embrace the role of getting ready quickly to pitch multiple innings at a moment's notice, and he's one of the best, so it's a good move.
Battling it Out:
RHP - Chris Withrow (4 holds, 1 save, 2.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP)
Like Rodriguez, is another young arm who got plenty of big outs. I bet people will look at those numbers above and be pleasantly surprised. I can see him teaming with Perez and Rodriguez in the middle innings to bridge the gap to Wilson and Jansen. He's got the hard stuff to do it.
RHP Jose Dominguez (1 hold, 2.16 ERA, 1.68 WHIP)
A young man with electric stuff, as he can reach 100 MPH at any point. He's very fortunately to have such a low ERA, as opponents hit .314 off of him, albeit in a small sample size with 8 1/3 innings. Still, there's something about power arms out of the bullpen that is so intriguing, and if he can learn to pitch to corners and mix in some soft stuff, he can be a huge weapon.
RHP Brandon League (14 saves, 2 holds, 5.30 ERA, 1.55 WHIP)
Ahhh, good old League, the guy who won't go anywhere thanks to two years left on a three-year, $22.5 million contract. What a shame it would be if he beats out better arms like Withrow and Dominguez, but that's a definite possibility. Maybe Rick Honeycutt found something in his delivery that will improve him? I'm searching for something here, because it's hard to get even a little bit excited to see him pitch again.
Don't Forget About:
LHP Scott Elbert (Did not pitch in 2013)
Still recovering from Tommy John surgery, he will be out until around the All-Star break at best guess. Pitched mostly in 2011 and 2012, and with ERA's of 2.43 and 2.20, respectively, it's easy to see why a lefty with hard stuff like him sticks around. Suppose Rodriguez gets worn down again, then possibly Elbert steps in down the stretch. It might not be entirely realistic to count on him for any of 2014, but like it says above, don't forget about him.
Bottom Line:
By my count, that's nine guys duking it out for between 7-8 spots in the bullpen (taking out an injured Elbert). Plus, you have to remember that when fully healthy, the starting rotation sports six guys in Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dan Haren, Chad Billingsley, and Josh Beckett. You know those first three names won't be anywhere near the bullpen, so one of Haren, Billingsley, or Beckett may have to be do the Chris Capuano act of bouncing between starter and reliever.
With the way this team gets hurt, Don Mattingly might not need to make many tough decisions on who stays and who goes, much like the outfield situation from last season. But of the three names on the "Battling it Out" list, I'd say as of right now Withrow gets the nod, with League and then Dominguez. League is awful, but has that damn contract, so he can't be ignored. Dominguez has to show more consistency before getting a permanent stay in LA.
Colletti has stated that he's all but done with roster moves, so it would be a surprise to see another reliever signed. Then again, if the Dodgers bid and are successful in getting Masahiro Tanaka, then that throws a wrench into all of these plans, not that that's a bad thing if this kid is the real deal. We shall see.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries continue to hammer the Dodgers
Just when you thought the Dodgers might finally be getting somewhat healthy again, add Hanley Ramirez to the list of the people we won't be seeing for awhile... again.
Playing in only his fourth game since returning from the DL with a torn thumb ligament, Ramirez hurt his hamstring trying to go first to third on a single, and had to be helped off the field. How bad was it? Don Mattingly compared it to Matt Kemp's injury to last year, which we all know completely derailed his season.
Ouch.
As a Lakers' fan as well, the Dodgers make that team look healthy. I never thought I'd see anything quite like I watched this winter and spring with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, and Jodie Meeks all going down at one point or another. And that's not to mention Dwight Howard never really being healthy, either.
But, I was wrong. The Dodgers are already looking like an infirmary unit a mere 28 games into the season. Do the math, and you'll see that only 17% of the season has been played. Here's what Mattingly and the Dodgers have had to endure this season:
Zach Greinke (broken collarbone, out two months)
Chad Billingsley (Tommy John surgery, out one year)
Scott Elbert (left elbow surgery, return unknown)
Ted Lilly (strained rib cage, return unknown)
Chris Capuano (strained left calf, will return soon)
Stephen Fife (right shoulder bursitis, return unknown)
Shawn Tolleson (lower back surgery, out 3-5 months)
Now you can add in Ramirez to miss another chunk of time after missing about a month with his thumb injury. Plus there's Adrian Gonzalez getting scratched in recent games with leg and neck injuries. Mark Ellis is nursing a sore quad, and could quite possibly be heading to the DL. Carl Crawford is working through a hamstring strain and has missed three games, but did pinch-hit on Friday.
Kemp hasn't missed a game this year, but has only one homer and five doubles. In other words, it's obvious that he's trying to work through the bad shoulder that he had surgically repaired last season. Very Dwight Howard-like it seems. Commendable that he's playing, but a concern that the numbers aren't close to what they could be.
Any team that goes through injuries like this is bound to struggle some. But for a team that has a sky-high payroll and expectations, and a paper-thin bench, the Dodgers feel the sting of these injuries even more. I can tell you this: nobody feels sorry for them. They traded for the big names last season, signed a couple of big names this offseason, and practically declared this season World Series or bust. So far, bust is winning.
At some point, you would hope, the Dodgers will get healthy bodies back on the field at once. Maybe not completely healthy, but more than they are right now. I guess all they can do is try to hold serve and pray nothing else goes wrong. Can you imagine if guys like Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen also go down? Yikes. Can't help but wonder now.
Playing in only his fourth game since returning from the DL with a torn thumb ligament, Ramirez hurt his hamstring trying to go first to third on a single, and had to be helped off the field. How bad was it? Don Mattingly compared it to Matt Kemp's injury to last year, which we all know completely derailed his season.
Ouch.
As a Lakers' fan as well, the Dodgers make that team look healthy. I never thought I'd see anything quite like I watched this winter and spring with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, and Jodie Meeks all going down at one point or another. And that's not to mention Dwight Howard never really being healthy, either.
But, I was wrong. The Dodgers are already looking like an infirmary unit a mere 28 games into the season. Do the math, and you'll see that only 17% of the season has been played. Here's what Mattingly and the Dodgers have had to endure this season:
Zach Greinke (broken collarbone, out two months)
Chad Billingsley (Tommy John surgery, out one year)
Scott Elbert (left elbow surgery, return unknown)
Ted Lilly (strained rib cage, return unknown)
Chris Capuano (strained left calf, will return soon)
Stephen Fife (right shoulder bursitis, return unknown)
Shawn Tolleson (lower back surgery, out 3-5 months)
Now you can add in Ramirez to miss another chunk of time after missing about a month with his thumb injury. Plus there's Adrian Gonzalez getting scratched in recent games with leg and neck injuries. Mark Ellis is nursing a sore quad, and could quite possibly be heading to the DL. Carl Crawford is working through a hamstring strain and has missed three games, but did pinch-hit on Friday.
Kemp hasn't missed a game this year, but has only one homer and five doubles. In other words, it's obvious that he's trying to work through the bad shoulder that he had surgically repaired last season. Very Dwight Howard-like it seems. Commendable that he's playing, but a concern that the numbers aren't close to what they could be.
Any team that goes through injuries like this is bound to struggle some. But for a team that has a sky-high payroll and expectations, and a paper-thin bench, the Dodgers feel the sting of these injuries even more. I can tell you this: nobody feels sorry for them. They traded for the big names last season, signed a couple of big names this offseason, and practically declared this season World Series or bust. So far, bust is winning.
At some point, you would hope, the Dodgers will get healthy bodies back on the field at once. Maybe not completely healthy, but more than they are right now. I guess all they can do is try to hold serve and pray nothing else goes wrong. Can you imagine if guys like Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen also go down? Yikes. Can't help but wonder now.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Elbert's 2013 season in serious doubt
For Scott Elbert, it's once again back to the old phrase of "one step forward, two steps back."
Elbert's fragile left elbow just endured it's second arthroscopic operation since September 19 on Wednesday. He'll begin a throwing program in six weeks, with Spring Training starting up in three.
Being out of action is no surprise for him, as he battled arm problem all through 2012. He did manage to pitch in 32 2/3 innings covering 43 games, good for a 2.20 ERA. In 2011, he gathered a 2.43 ERA in 33 1/3 innings.
Let's not forget about his personal issues that pretty much wiped away his entire 2010 season.
It's easy to see why the Dodgers like him with numbers in the mid-2's. On the other hand, it wouldn't be a surprise to eventually see them part ways with him, as staying on the field has proven to be a difficult task. Right now, missing the season appears to be speculation, but when you're talking elbow injuries, you're talking big chunks of time missed.
It's a good thing J.P. Howell was signed from Tampa Bay earlier this month, as he's clearly the #1 lefty in the bullpen. Elbert's loss could also be Paco Rodriguez's gain, as his 1.35 ERA in a short amount of time last season could easily earn him a trip back to LA.
Elbert's fragile left elbow just endured it's second arthroscopic operation since September 19 on Wednesday. He'll begin a throwing program in six weeks, with Spring Training starting up in three.
Being out of action is no surprise for him, as he battled arm problem all through 2012. He did manage to pitch in 32 2/3 innings covering 43 games, good for a 2.20 ERA. In 2011, he gathered a 2.43 ERA in 33 1/3 innings.
Let's not forget about his personal issues that pretty much wiped away his entire 2010 season.
It's easy to see why the Dodgers like him with numbers in the mid-2's. On the other hand, it wouldn't be a surprise to eventually see them part ways with him, as staying on the field has proven to be a difficult task. Right now, missing the season appears to be speculation, but when you're talking elbow injuries, you're talking big chunks of time missed.
It's a good thing J.P. Howell was signed from Tampa Bay earlier this month, as he's clearly the #1 lefty in the bullpen. Elbert's loss could also be Paco Rodriguez's gain, as his 1.35 ERA in a short amount of time last season could easily earn him a trip back to LA.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Injury updates on Billingsley, Kemp, Jansen, and Elbert
The injury bug has certainly nailed the Dodgers lately, so here's an update on what's going on.
Chad Billingsley - From unbeatable to possibly lost for the season, it's been a big turn for Bills in the second half. Stan Kasten has stated that he fears Bills will be gone for the season. An MRI confirmed more elbow inflammation. Right now they are waiting for the inflammation to subside before doing another MRI later this week.
Obviously the acquisition of Josh Beckett takes on even more added significance, as reading between the lines, the Dodgers don't look like they are planning on Bills making another start this season. Nothing is official yet, so we will all wait and see.
Matt Kemp - After running face first into the center field wall on Tuesday, Kemp is lucky that he didn't break any bones. Rather, CT scans and MRIs show only a bone bruise in his left knee and no fractures to his jaw. Not surprisingly, he's still pretty sore, but wants to get back into the lineup on Thursday. Whether or not Don Mattingly agrees with that remains to be seen, but expect him back soon. And also expect all Dodger fans to exhale a huge sigh of relief.
Kenley Jansen - The news isn't so good for the Dodgers' closer, as Jansen is out indefinitely with an irregular heartbeat. This is same problem he faced last season that forced him to miss four weeks. And when you're talking about missing a month or so this time of year, you're facing the real possibility of being out for the season.
The issue with Jansen coming back is related to the blood thinners he may be required to take. If he does take them, he will have to rest because of the bleeding related to playing baseball. Anytime you're dealing with heart issues, every precaution would, and should, be taken. Hopefully more news will come soon on this, as the Dodgers will have a serious hole at the end of their bullpen if he is lost for the year.
Scott Elbert - The news for Elbert isn't good either, as he's back on the 15-day DL with a sore elbow. It's bad enough that he'll probably need offseason surgery. The Dodgers only have one other lefty in the bullpen (Randy Choate), so this is obviously pretty tough to take. He had a 2.20 ERA in 43 games, so it won't be easy to replace those numbers.
Chad Billingsley - From unbeatable to possibly lost for the season, it's been a big turn for Bills in the second half. Stan Kasten has stated that he fears Bills will be gone for the season. An MRI confirmed more elbow inflammation. Right now they are waiting for the inflammation to subside before doing another MRI later this week.
Obviously the acquisition of Josh Beckett takes on even more added significance, as reading between the lines, the Dodgers don't look like they are planning on Bills making another start this season. Nothing is official yet, so we will all wait and see.
Matt Kemp - After running face first into the center field wall on Tuesday, Kemp is lucky that he didn't break any bones. Rather, CT scans and MRIs show only a bone bruise in his left knee and no fractures to his jaw. Not surprisingly, he's still pretty sore, but wants to get back into the lineup on Thursday. Whether or not Don Mattingly agrees with that remains to be seen, but expect him back soon. And also expect all Dodger fans to exhale a huge sigh of relief.
Kenley Jansen - The news isn't so good for the Dodgers' closer, as Jansen is out indefinitely with an irregular heartbeat. This is same problem he faced last season that forced him to miss four weeks. And when you're talking about missing a month or so this time of year, you're facing the real possibility of being out for the season.
The issue with Jansen coming back is related to the blood thinners he may be required to take. If he does take them, he will have to rest because of the bleeding related to playing baseball. Anytime you're dealing with heart issues, every precaution would, and should, be taken. Hopefully more news will come soon on this, as the Dodgers will have a serious hole at the end of their bullpen if he is lost for the year.
Scott Elbert - The news for Elbert isn't good either, as he's back on the 15-day DL with a sore elbow. It's bad enough that he'll probably need offseason surgery. The Dodgers only have one other lefty in the bullpen (Randy Choate), so this is obviously pretty tough to take. He had a 2.20 ERA in 43 games, so it won't be easy to replace those numbers.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Recent roster moves
The Dodgers have made a few roster moves lately, so let's catch up.
First off, the Dodgers have finally cut ties with Ramon Ortiz. In his place, righty Justin Miller has been called up. Ortiz was given plenty of chances, but never came close to earning an extended stay. He finished with a 1-2 record, 6.30 ERA, and 1.63 WHIP.
Scott Elbert was then called up... and promptly sent back down after one appearance. Elbert didn't make a good impression at all when he appeared in last Saturday's game against the Rockies. He faced six batters, walked three of them, gave up a single, and generally looked to have no control.
When Elbert was first called up, it was Nick Green who got DFA'd. Green was pretty much victimized by Jamey Carroll's solid play when Rafael Furcal was hurt. Still, Green was only 1-for-8 with an RBI. Not much of a sample size, but good enough to get the boot.
Finally, righty Travis Schlichting has replaced Elbert. He pitched 2 2/3 innings last year, giving up a run.
First off, the Dodgers have finally cut ties with Ramon Ortiz. In his place, righty Justin Miller has been called up. Ortiz was given plenty of chances, but never came close to earning an extended stay. He finished with a 1-2 record, 6.30 ERA, and 1.63 WHIP.
Scott Elbert was then called up... and promptly sent back down after one appearance. Elbert didn't make a good impression at all when he appeared in last Saturday's game against the Rockies. He faced six batters, walked three of them, gave up a single, and generally looked to have no control.
When Elbert was first called up, it was Nick Green who got DFA'd. Green was pretty much victimized by Jamey Carroll's solid play when Rafael Furcal was hurt. Still, Green was only 1-for-8 with an RBI. Not much of a sample size, but good enough to get the boot.
Finally, righty Travis Schlichting has replaced Elbert. He pitched 2 2/3 innings last year, giving up a run.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dodgers announce NLCS roster
The Dodgers have made their roster for the NLCS official, which you can read by clicking here.
There are no offensive changes, as Doug Mientkiewicz once again will be playing the role of cheerleader, while Jim Thome will be the primary pinch-hitter. The reserves of Orlando Hudson, Juan Pierre, Juan Castro, Mark Loretta, and Brad Ausmus all return.
On the pitching side, Jeff Weaver and Jon Garland will be sitting, while Scott Elbert and Hiroki Kuroda made the cut. Kuroda has already been announced as starting Game 3, and with Chad Billingsley able to be a long reliever, Garland had no roll.
Elbert's name is a surprise, but considering the Phillies have big lefties in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Matt Stairs off the bench, it shouldn't be. I can see Elbert getting called upon to get a big out early in the game, as Hong-Chih Kuo and George Sherrill will handle the late innings.
Weaver has the flu this week, so that could be a factor in him missing the roster. Even if he was healthy, I think Elbert would have made it over him regardless.
There are no offensive changes, as Doug Mientkiewicz once again will be playing the role of cheerleader, while Jim Thome will be the primary pinch-hitter. The reserves of Orlando Hudson, Juan Pierre, Juan Castro, Mark Loretta, and Brad Ausmus all return.
On the pitching side, Jeff Weaver and Jon Garland will be sitting, while Scott Elbert and Hiroki Kuroda made the cut. Kuroda has already been announced as starting Game 3, and with Chad Billingsley able to be a long reliever, Garland had no roll.
Elbert's name is a surprise, but considering the Phillies have big lefties in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Matt Stairs off the bench, it shouldn't be. I can see Elbert getting called upon to get a big out early in the game, as Hong-Chih Kuo and George Sherrill will handle the late innings.
Weaver has the flu this week, so that could be a factor in him missing the roster. Even if he was healthy, I think Elbert would have made it over him regardless.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Broxton out for now with toe injury
Jonathan Broxton has not been himself his last two appearances, giving up five runs, five hits, and four walks in two innings. Now, we may understand why.
Broxton will be out the last two games before the All-Star break and possibly more with a sore right big toe. Most likely, you can forget about seeing him on Tuesday in St. Louis, which is a shame.
The good news is that he can get some good rest, so if he's going to get hurt, at least he did it while there's some days off. With something like a toe injury, I can imagine that no matter what type of treatment you have, the best remedy is solid rest.
In the meantime, Guillermo Mota will fill in the closer's role. That speaks volumes for how well he's turned his season around lately. He hasn't given up a run since June 19. His ERA at the end of May was 7.71, and now it's 3.57. Combine that with his past experience at closing, and it's an easy call.
To fill Broxton's spot in the bullpen, Scott Elbert was recalled from Triple-A. That means that our favorite "he's up, he's down" player, Blake DeWitt, has once again been sent back down.
Broxton will be out the last two games before the All-Star break and possibly more with a sore right big toe. Most likely, you can forget about seeing him on Tuesday in St. Louis, which is a shame.
The good news is that he can get some good rest, so if he's going to get hurt, at least he did it while there's some days off. With something like a toe injury, I can imagine that no matter what type of treatment you have, the best remedy is solid rest.
In the meantime, Guillermo Mota will fill in the closer's role. That speaks volumes for how well he's turned his season around lately. He hasn't given up a run since June 19. His ERA at the end of May was 7.71, and now it's 3.57. Combine that with his past experience at closing, and it's an easy call.
To fill Broxton's spot in the bullpen, Scott Elbert was recalled from Triple-A. That means that our favorite "he's up, he's down" player, Blake DeWitt, has once again been sent back down.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Another setback for Kuo
Like I've thought all season long, it looks as if the struggles of Hong-Chih Kuo are at least partially related to health. He's been placed back on the 15-day DL with elbow problems, which is the same one that's had two Tommy John surgeries on it. Not good.
To say I'm worried would be an understatement. He's a complete shut-down reliever when he's all good, as evidenced by last season when hitters would be lost against him. But it was obvious things just weren't right from the start of this season. You don't go from a 2.14 ERA last season to 6.75 this season without something being up.
I can only hope I'm getting too carried away here, and that a couple weeks or so of rest will make him better. With Cory Wade back, the Dodgers would ideally like to see the combination of Kuo and Wade pitch the 8th and get the ball to Jonathan Broxton to finish off games. Let's hold out hope that that will be the case as the season wears on.
As for his replacement on the roster, look for Scott Elbert to turn quickly around from being sent down earlier in the week and make his way back to the big club.
To say I'm worried would be an understatement. He's a complete shut-down reliever when he's all good, as evidenced by last season when hitters would be lost against him. But it was obvious things just weren't right from the start of this season. You don't go from a 2.14 ERA last season to 6.75 this season without something being up.
I can only hope I'm getting too carried away here, and that a couple weeks or so of rest will make him better. With Cory Wade back, the Dodgers would ideally like to see the combination of Kuo and Wade pitch the 8th and get the ball to Jonathan Broxton to finish off games. Let's hold out hope that that will be the case as the season wears on.
As for his replacement on the roster, look for Scott Elbert to turn quickly around from being sent down earlier in the week and make his way back to the big club.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Shoulder busitis lands Wade on the DL
Cory Wade became the 5th Dodger currently on the Disabled List when he was added yesterday for shoulder bursitis. It's retroactive to April 12, so he'll be able to come off April 27 if healthy.
Wade already missed 10 days in Spring Training because of this injury, so it obviously hasn't gotten any better. Makes me wonder if he truly was healthy, or was just saying he was to try and save his spot. Either way, it sure seems like he should have been DL'd to start the season rather than throwing him out there without being healed.
In his place will be lefty Scott Elbert, who pitched in 10 games with LA last year. His numbers weren't pretty, going 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in 6 IP. The former #1 pick by the Dodgers in the '04 draft will be pitching out of the bullpen.
Wade already missed 10 days in Spring Training because of this injury, so it obviously hasn't gotten any better. Makes me wonder if he truly was healthy, or was just saying he was to try and save his spot. Either way, it sure seems like he should have been DL'd to start the season rather than throwing him out there without being healed.
In his place will be lefty Scott Elbert, who pitched in 10 games with LA last year. His numbers weren't pretty, going 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in 6 IP. The former #1 pick by the Dodgers in the '04 draft will be pitching out of the bullpen.
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