Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #9

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Clayton Kershaw, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

SATURDAY IN THE PARK: The Dodgers completed their ninth full-squad workout today with the club’s Cactus League opener just four days away! Los Angeles will kick off its 25-game exhibition slate on Wednesday against the D-backs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

• With the club’s Cactus League opener in sight, Dodger Manager Don Mattingly announced that left-hander Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers on Wednesday against Arizona.
• Josh Beckett, Paul Maholm, Stephen Fife, Jamey Wright, Chad Billingsley and Paco Rodriguez threw normal bullpens today, while Zack Greinke, Chris Withrow, Pedro Baez, Jarret Martin, Carlos Frias and Red Patterson faced live hitters during simulated innings.
• Yasiel Puig was back in action today after two days off for rest from fouling a ball off his right leg on Wednesday.
• For a second consecutive day, Matt Kemp took live batting practice over on the minor league side.

(Practice, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

WE TALKIN’ ABOUT PRACTICE?: The Dodgers will play two intra-squad games tomorrow, Feb. 23 and Monday, Feb. 24 on Field 1 at Camelback Ranch - Glendale. Pitchers scheduled to throw tomorrow include Matt Magill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chris Perez, Brian Wilson, Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell. On Monday, Stephen Fife, Dan Haren, Chris Reed, Paco Rodriguez and Jamey Wright each will pitch.

• Tomorrow’s lineups were constructed by the two team captains, Zack Greinke (Team Koufax) and Matt Kemp (Team Wills), and were posted in the Dodger clubhouse today. Team Koufax’s lineup is as follows: Joc Pederson (CF), Carl Crawford (LF), Yasiel Puig (RF), Scott Van Slyke (1B), A.J. Ellis (C), Clint Robinson (DH), Alex Guerrero (2B), Justin Turner (3B) and Miguel Rojas (SS). Kemp penciled in Team Wills’ lineup with: Dee Gordon (2B), Juan Uribe (3B), Hanley Ramirez (SS), Adrian Gonzalez (1B), Andre Ethier (CF), Tim Federowicz (C), Nick Buss (RF), Mike Baxter (LF) and Chone Figgins (DH).

INKED: The Dodgers today announced the signing of free agent Cuban infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena to a five-year contract. Arruebarrena, 23, posted a .276 career batting average with 67 doubles, 25 triples, 27 homers and 171 RBI in 437 career games in six seasons for Cienfuegos in the Cuban Serie Nacional from 2007-2013. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, who is known for his defense, has appeared primarily at shortstop during his career, but has also played second base and third base professionally. Arruebarrena (pronounced Arr-ru-eh-BAHR-ena) was a teammate of Dodger outfielder Yasiel Puig with Cienfuegos in 2010-11.

• To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated IF Justin Sellers for assignment.

“THE KID”: Today, the City of Fullerton honored Baseball Hall of Famer and former Dodger Gary Carter by dedicating Field No. 2 at Fullerton Sports Complex in his name. The ceremony was attended by Carter’s wife, Sandy, brother, Gordon, and other family members. Carter grew up in Fullerton and played 19 Major League seasons, including the 1991 campaign with the Dodgers, before his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. Carter passed away on Feb. 16, 2012 at the age of 57.

(The plaque for Gary Carter, pic via City of Fullerton on twitter)

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It's Now Official - Dodgers Sign Arruebarrena

Over a week ago, the news wires were set a blaze with a story about another Dodger Cuban signing.  It was reported through various channels that we had signed Erisbel Arruebarrena.  Check out my story about it here.

This morning, the Dodgers officially confirmed a new 5-year contract for him.  Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signing of free agent Cuban infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena to a five-year contract.

“Signing Arruebarrena gives us another very good middle infielder, who is an outstanding defender,” said Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti. “It continues our efforts internationally to add talent that can positively affect the Major League club - be it immediately or in the very near future.”

Arruebarrena, 23, posted a .276 batting average with 67 doubles, 25 triples, 27 homers and 171 RBI in 437 career games in six seasons for Cienfuegos in the Cuban Serie Nacional from 2007-2013. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, who is known for his defense, has appeared primarily at shortstop during his career, but has also played second base and third base professionally. With Cienfuegos during the 2012-13 season, Arruebarrena hit .293 with a .366 on-base percentage, six home runs and 32 RBI in 70 regular-season games before going 6-for-14 (.429) in six postseason contests.

“We are excited to sign Erisbel, who we’ve scouted in international competition for a long time.” said Dodger Vice President, International Scouting Bob Engle. “He brings another superb glove to our organization.”

The Cienfuegos, Cuba native was the starting shortstop for his home country in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, batting .375 with a .444 on-base percentage, four runs scored and two RBI in six games in the tournament. He also played internationally for Cuba in the 2011 Pan American Games and batted .445 (8-for-18) with three runs scored, a double and an RBI in five games.

Arruebarrena (pronounced Arr-ru-eh-BAHR-ena) was a teammate of Dodger outfielder Yasiel Puig with Cienfuegos in 2010-11.

To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated infielder Justin Sellers for assignment.

BTW, Ken Rosenthal has some details about the contract.

Arruebarrena’s deal with #Dodgers: 5 yrs, $25M. Includes $7.5M signing bonus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 22, 2014

Also, initial reports indicated that his last name was spelled Arruenarruena, but this notice lets us know that his name is spelled without the second "u". 

Arruebarrena is likely to play in the minors to start his professional Baseball career.

UPDATE:  Via Eric Stephen of True Blue LA on twitter:

Erisbel Arruebarrena is at Dodgers facility in Dominican Republic. Colletti not sure when visa issues will resolve or when he'll report
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) February 22, 2014

Here is another fantasy Baseball card I made of Arruebarrena.

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Blog Kiosk: 2/22/2014 - Dodgers Links - Rachel Robinson, Matt Kemp to Miss Australia and Fat Puig

See kids, the pro's do run-down drills too.  Miguel Rojas makes a tag in the photo above.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Watch Sportscaster Len Berman speak with Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow, about the baseball icon and the foundation that she started in his honor at WNET.
• FYI, Sandy Koufax is fine.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Koufax shaken up after being hit by line drive".

"It didn't look good," said Kershaw. "Glad he walked off. He seemed OK."

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA writes about, "Another piece of Brooklyn Dodger history lost".

And while it was pure coincidence that the Dodgers just so happened to be in town playing the Mets during my visit, she insisted that we go to Junior’s – and not just for the best cheesecake in town either. Within seconds of walking in the doors of the unique shaped building I realized what she had meant – the place was a virtual museum of Dodger memorabilia and photographs. You could just feel the connection to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kemp likely to miss opening series in Australia".
• Via Eno Sarris at FanGraphs, "Do The Dodgers Have a Problem At Second Base?"

Projections are just projections, but it’s worth noting that only two of last year’s playoff teams had seven above-average position players. Only one was in the NL — the Dodgers. That the Dodgers have good players everywhere (with some depth) has allowed them to gather this group at second base with less heartburn.

• Bob Lemke shares an interesting story related to the anger one ex-ballplayer had towards Branch Rickey for signing Jackie Robinson. I think it's funny that the rational Bill Werber used in his letter to Rickey is strikingly similar to the rational used by folks today against other minority classes. 

“Your effort to force them to accept socially and to play with a Negro or Negroes, is highly distasteful,” Werber continued. “You are, in fact, for some unaccountable reason, discriminating against the majority.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Yasiel Puig too heavy in camp?"  By the way, Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy had previously shared a photo of "Fat Puig" here.

"We don't feel it's going to be a problem, but we're paying attention to it, put it that way," Mattingly told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

• Via Ryan G at Chaos and Kanji, "Another JWBL Game: Women's Baseball near Yokohama".

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