Carlos Marmol Makes His Way to the Big Club - Are Dodgers Just Being Careful with Jose Dominguez?

In some news that causes me to scratch my head, the Dodgers just announced that veteran reliever Carlos Marmol has been brought up to the Dodgers.  On the next available flight out of town will be youngster Jose Dominguez.  Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of right-handed reliever Carlos Marmol from Double-A Chattanooga and optioned right-hander Jose Dominguez to Triple-A Albuquerque. Marmol, 30, was acquired along with cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on July 2 in exchange for right-hander Matt Guerrier. The Dodgers also acquired international signing bonus slot No. 92 valued at $209,700 from the Cubs as part of the deal.

Marmol, who will wear No. 49, has made five minor league appearances (0-0, one save, 3.60 ERA) since being acquired by Los Angeles, allowing two runs in three appearances with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (3.0 IP) before being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on July 18, where he tossed 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings. The native of the Dominican Republic last pitched on Sunday, striking out one and throwing 17 pitches (nine strikes) in a scoreless frame at Birmingham (White Sox).

I thought Dominguez pitched very well for a greenhorn, so it was shocking to see this develop.  On the other hand, he might be aching a bit.  Dodgers Nation noted on twitter that he limped after his relief appearance last night.

Jose Dominguez looks to be limping on his way back to the dugout. Dodger relievers haven't given up a run in 10 straight innings.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 23, 2013

And Ken Gurnick on twitter shared that he tested his quad this morning without any discomfort.

Jose Dominguez said he tested his quad today and was able to throw with no discomfort.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 23, 2013

Obviously, the Dodgers were concerned enough about Jose that they opted to take it easy on him.  It's hard to say if this is the right move for now, but I can't blame them for doing this; especially considering what a horror this season has been for the health of individual players.

Clearly, they are just being careful.

UPDATE:  As I suggested above, Jose Dominguez is actually injured.  He has not been sent to AAA.  Instead, he is on the 15-day DL, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

The Dodgers have changed Dominguez from optioned to the 15-day disabled list with a left quad strain.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 23, 2013

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SCP: Bill Russell Collection on Auction - Including '81 & '88 World Series Memorabilia

SCP is on quite a roll.  They've handled some of the greatest Dodgers related collectibles to hit the auction block over the past several years. Earlier this year they handled the memorabilia collection of Steve Garvey, and a couple of years ago they sold mementos from the 1988 World Series that belonged to Kirk Gibson.  Now, they are handling a huge collection of collectibles from former Dodger short stop Bill Russell.  See the entire group of Russell items right here at SCP.  BTW, the auction officially starts on Wednesday.

There are a total of 46 lots, and it includes items from his days as a little leaguer to him being skipper of the 1999 Orlando Rays of the Southern League.  Heck, there are 13 different rings available.  Check out some of my favorite items below.

Here is Bill Russell's game-used glove from his Little League playing days, a store model Revelation Richie Ashburn model glove.

(Auction Link)

I found this item totally fascinating.  I'm sure many of you are familiar with Al Campanis' book "The Dodger Way to Play Baseball".  Well, below is the Dodgers official defensive playbook.  It includes 43 pages graphically outlining proper positioning for infielders in any number of defensive situations.

(Auction Link)

I've included a couple of pages to study over.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

(Auction Link)

(Auction Link)

Russell is also selling his World Series trophies.  Below is his personal 1981 Dodgers World Series trophy.

(Auction Link)

Below is the 1988 World Series trophy.  Russell was a coach under Tommy Lasorda.

(Auction Link)

He is even selling his 1988 World Series Championship rings.  See it below.

This next item is totally awesome, and definitely one-of-a-kind.  Below is a complete set of all 5 dugout line up cards to the 1988 World Series.  As the Dodgers bench coach, Bill Russell was in charge of keeping track of the lineup cards for the series.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 7/23/2013 - Dodgers Links - Greinke, Kemp and the Newest Dodgers International Signing - Alexander Guerrero

All of Dodger Nation, if not the entire Baseball fanbase, see's you, Hanley!  Pic via Dodgers tumblr.

• Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs writes, "Zack Greinke's Babe Ruth Season".
• Matt Kemp expected to miss 3 games (entire Blue Jays series) due to ankle injury, via USA Today.
• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times has some quotes from Kemp regarding his ankle injury.

“I probably don’t feel as good about it today as I did yesterday,” Mattingly said. “It could go the wrong direction.”

• BTW, Kemp had X-rays done, and they were negative, per twitter @Dodgers.

X-rays on Matt Kemp's ankle came back negative.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 23, 2013

• Tom Owens at Baseball by the Letters reminds us of how great the late Dick Gray was when it came to Dodgers/Baseball fans.
• Via Chad Moriyama, "Dodgers sign Cuban shortstop Alexander Guerrero for 7 years, $32 million, according to report".

(pic via Beisbol en Cuba.com)

• Now, according to Ken Gurnick at MLB.com the Dodgers are no longer interested in Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.  And I had a post with a fantasy card ready to go!
• Emily Green at LA Weekly shares a great story of some found Baseballs in a park seemingly signed by some of Baseball's greatest only to find out that they are very good fakes.  Check out her story.
• Do you want a San Diego ComicCon overload?  Tested.com shares over 800 pics of just cosplayers. 
• Via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest, "Sports Memorabilia Show to be Filmed at National Convention".

The premise of the show, called A Piece of the Game, is Pawn Stars meets sports memorabilia but with a twist. The show deals with some pretty serious money and has some interesting characters. Is the stuff real or fake? What’s it worth? Will the owner take the money or just walk away?

• Finally, how great does this look?

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