Todays lineup vs. Cubs in Vegas: Furcal SS, Paul RF, Loney 1B, Kemp DH, Uribe 2B, Gibbons LF, Robinson CF, Barajas C, Miles 3B, De La Rosa P
Here are todays Spring Training Notes from the Dodgers:
THE BEST OF THE WINDY CITY: The Dodgers continue their busy weekend of split squads and take on both Chicago teams in Cactus League play this afternoon. Los Angeles will take on the White Sox at Camelback Ranch – Glendale and will battle the Cubs at Las Vegas’ Cashman Field. The team will go back to the traditional “one game per day” format for the next two days with a home-and-home series with the Rangers before an off-day on Wednesday.
A HELPING HAND: NBC LA is sponsoring a “drive-through” relief drive at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, March 15th to help raise money for the American Red Cross Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Members of the NBC LA news team and the Dodger Alumni Association will be taking donations from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dodger Stadium Parking Lot 1. Cash donations will be accepted along with checks made out the American Red Cross with “Japan Tsunami Fund” in the memo line.
SELECTION SUNDAY: The Dodgers reassigned right-hander Jon Huber to minor league camp yesterday, trimming the number of players in camp to 56 (26 pitchers, 30 position players).
INJURY UPDATE: Casey Blake remains day-to-day after leaving yesterday’s game at San Francisco following his first plate appearance. After being examined by Dr. Watkins Jr. today, it was determined that the injury is more toward the back of his ribs, as opposed to his lower back.
FLASHBACK: Yesterday, Los Angeles dropped both of its contests, losing 8-7 at San Francisco and falling 19-7 at the hands of the Royals in Surprise. In Scottsdale, Tony Gwynn Jr. went 3-for-3 to raise his Spring Training batting average to .360 and his on-base percentage to .429. Gwynn remained perfect on the bases, swiping his sixth base of the spring, which ranks second in the Cactus League. Andre Ethier went 2-for-4 with a three-run triple in the seventh as the Dodgers took a lead into the ninth inning against the Giants. Matt Kemp (.370) remained hot yesterday as he combined with Juan Uribe for back-to-back RBI doubles in the first inning against the Royals. Trent Oeltjen provided some late-inning power in Surprise with a three-run blast into the party deck during a 2-for-2 afternoon.
SOUTH SIDE: Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will make his third start of the spring against the White Sox. Kuroda struck out six and allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in a “B” game on Tuesday against the Mariners in his last outing. The 36-year-old leads all Japanese-born starters with a 3.60 career ERA in 83 games (82 starts) during his three years in the Majors. RHP Jonathan Broxton, RHP Matt Guerrier, RHP Mike MacDougal and LHP Scott Elbert are slated to pitch in relief this afternoon for Acting Manager Lorenzo Bundy. Left-hander John Danks will make the start for the White Sox.
RUBBY SLIPPERS: In Las Vegas, the Dodgers’ reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Year Rubby De La Rosa will make his first start of the spring season today against the Cubs in Las Vegas. The 22-year-old went a combined 7-2 with six saves last season, posting a 2.37 ERA and a .219 opponents’ batting average in 22 games (13 starts) with Double-A Chattanooga and Single-A Great Lakes. The right-hander last pitched on March 3 at Cincinnati, striking out three in 2.0 scoreless innings. De La Rosa will be followed by LHP Wilkin De La Rosa and RHP Carlos Monasterios. The Cubs will counter with RHP Carlos Zambrano.
IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL: Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will kick off his 62nd season with the Dodgers with the call of today’s game against the Cubs in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast live as a part of a tripleheader on PRIME TICKET and will be followed by Josh Suchon and Joe Block’s tape-delayed call of the Dodgers vs. White Sox game from Camelback Ranch and Dodgertown Classic contest between USC and UCLA. Scully will also call next Saturday’s Cactus League contest against the Brewers from Camelback Ranch.
- HIGH NUMBERS: The Dodgers called up ten minor leaguers for today’s game including starting third baseman Pedro Baez (#94), who has been selected to consecutive XM All-Star Futures Games. Dodger fans can also get a sneak peak at 2010 third-rounder Leon Landry (#91), who is rated as the club’s 11th-best prospect by Baseball America. The 21-year-old ranked among the Rookie-advanced Pioneer League leaders in batting average (.349, 5th), hits (87, T-7th), doubles (20, T-3rd) and slugging percentage (.510, T-6th) in 57 games with Ogden to earn an Honorable Mention selection on the league’s All-Star team.
