Final Dodgers' Roster is Set

It's now official.  Justin Sellers makes the Opening Day roster, Paco Rodriguez stays in the bullpen after just a year of prefessional ball, and there is no trade movement to speak of (meaning that both Harang and Capuano stay in Dodger Blue).

As noted earlier today, the Dodger were likely to make some DL moves, and that theory has been proven right.  Per the Dodgers:

The (Dodgers) placed pitchers Chad Billingsley (right index finger contusion) and Scott Elbert (left elbow surgery) and infielder Hanley Ramirez (right thumb surgery) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22. Left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly (left shoulder labrum surgery) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 28.  

The 25-man roster, as broken down by position:

Pitchers (12):

• Josh Beckett
• Ronald Belisario
• Chris Capuano (L)
• Zack Greinke
• Matt Guerrier
• Aaron Harang
• J.P. Howell (L)
• Kenley Jansen
• Clayton Kershaw (L)
• Brandon League
• Paco Rodriguez (L)
• Hyun-Jin Ryu (L)

Catchers (2):

• A.J. Ellis
• Tim Federowicz

Infielders (6):

• Luis Cruz
• Mark Ellis
• Adrian Gonzalez (L)
• Nick Punto (S)
• Justin Sellers
• Juan Uribe

Outfielders (3):

• Carl Crawford (L)
• Andre Ethier (L)
• Matt Kemp

Infielder/Outfielder (2):

• Jerry Hairston, Jr.
• Skip Schumaker (L)

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Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2013

Jon SooHoo shares even more photos featuring the new Dodgers clubhouse area; including the weight room.  See more pics here.

• I can't believe I'm saying this.  Larry King has me excited.  Too bad I can't make it to Opening Day.  Via a tweet by King.

(tweet link)

• Jim Caple at ESPN, "Dodgers-Giants: A Rivalry Renewed."  The link also has a great video.

The great Maury Wills remembers his first season in the Dodgers organization; it was 1951, the year Bobby Thomson homered off Ralph Branca, the "Shot Heard 'Round the World." He remembers one of the the first fundamentals the Dodgers taught him as a player that year. It was this: He is not supposed to like the Giants.

• Check out Cole on LA's predictions for 2013.
• TJ Simers at the LA Times writes poignant piece on how "Vin Scully Prompts Memories of Someone Dear."
• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Zack Greinke looks more like guy Dodgers signed in 2-1 loss"

“I just wanted to get out as many people as possible and try to ready for the season,” Greinke said. “I felt pretty good. The fastball felt good today, better than the last game. I felt the pitch mix was pretty good.”

Greinke said he didn’t feel any major relief about how his elbow has responded because he wasn’t all that concerned initially.

“It wasn’t that bad in the first place,” he said. “Just precautions.

“It should be fine. But I can’t predict the future. I guess it could happen again.”

• GCRL pens a great little biography on Brooklyn Dodger Babe Herman.
• Look who's on the cover of PSA's Sports Market Report.  They write several great articles focused on his career and his Baseball cards.

- Jackie Robinson: "The Rain of Courage"

- Taking My Hacks: "The Impact of an Icon - More than Just Numbers"

- PSA Set Registry: "Jackie Robinson – An American Inspiration and Hero Amongst Hobbyists"

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Sunday Dodgers Videos: Dodger Stadium and a Vintage 1945 WWII Era Brooklyn Dodgers Spring Training Video

Are you ready for Opening Day?  Well, then here are this Sunday's Dodgers' Videos.

Stadium Bound on youtube has been great about posting up videos of the construction work at Dodger Stadium. 

Walking the Field Level concourse during the first game at Dodger Stadium since the renovations. There's a great view of the field all the way around, with tables and counters to stop at, and no ushers continually saying "You can't stop here." There is also a LOT more room to move and walk.

Video Link:

Here are some vintage film reel highlights from the 1955 World Series.

Video Link:

This is just a joy: "Dem Bums Warm Up" from 1945 featuring Dodgers' coach Leo Durocher.  From the video description.

During World War II, soldiers viewed highlight clips like "Dem Bums Warm Up," showing 1945 Brooklyn Dodgers team manager Leo Durocher leading infield practice at baseball Spring Training, before feature films in military motion picture theaters. When Durocher barked out "You haven't got a bucket of paint at third base, you got to get the paintbrush out of your hand," and a narrator coolly commented on Leo's chatter, the sights and sounds of home were within reach for the troops.

Video Link:

Dodgers president Stan Kasten and senior VP Janet Marie Smith talk about the improvements made in the last five months to Dodger Stadium.

Video Link:

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Paco and Sellers Make the Team!

After last nights game, the Dodgers made some moves to drop the official roster down closer to 25 players.  Some more decisions need to be made; including a last-minute trade involving Harang or Capuano, and some likely Disabled List moves.  First, lets take a brief look at last nights cuts.  Via a couple of tweets from @Dodgers PR:

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

(photo credit: Paco: Jon SooHoo/2013 LA Dodgers)

We find out that Stephen Fife, Elian Herrera, Alfredo Amezaga, Peyer Moylan, Matt Wallach, Josh Wall, Alex Castellanos and Kevin Gregg have all been either optioned or reassigned.  Surprisingly, veteran reliever Kevin Gregg is included.  He has been recently touted as in contention for the final relief spot (via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA).  Also, Alex Castellanos was favored by many to capture an outfield reserve spot.

(photo credit: Sellers & Uribe: Jon SooHoo/2013 LA Dodgers)

What we find out by these moves is that Justin Sellers has won a spot in the infield, and will probably be our Opening Day shortstop.  Obviously, with Hanley Ramirez going to the DL the team has opted to focus on defense while we wait for the healing to end.  Of special note, recent 2012 draftee Paco Rodriguez likely earns a bullpen position as our 3rd left-handed reliever in the pen (assuming Capuano stays a Dodger).   He wowed the team in his 11 Major League appearances during his first year of professional play last year, and continued to impress the Dodgers staff with a great Spring.

At this point, assuming several upcoming Disabled List announcements, it looks like our 25 man roster for Opening Day will look like this:

Catchers (2):

• A.J. Ellis, Tim Federowicz

Infielders (7):

• Adrian Gonzalez, Mark Ellis, Justin Sellers, Luis Cruz, Skip Schumaker, Juan Uribe, Nick Punto

Outfielders (4):

• Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Jerry Hairston Jr.

Starting pitchers (4):

• Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Josh Beckett, Zack Greinke

Relief Pitchers (8):

• Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, Ronald Belisario, J.P. Howell, Matt Guerrier, Paco Rodriguez, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang

Disabled List (4):

• Scott Elbert*, Hanley Ramirez*, Chad Billingsley*, Ted Lilly*

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