Welcome to the Blue, Carlos Frias!

So, we're only finding out now that Dodger veteran reliever Chris Perez has been pitching with pain?  Come on, guys!

It has just been announced that Chris Perez is going on the 15-day disabled list.  He has been suffering from bone spurs in his right ankle the last couple of months; which doesn't sound fun at all.

In his place, the Dodger call up longtime Dodger farmhand Carlos Frias.  This is his very first trip to the "Show," and as you can imagine he's as excited as ever.  Via a tweet from MLB.com reporter Michael Lananna:

RHP Carlos Frias, not a man of many words, said he's excited to be up here. He's waited seven years. Expects to pitch out of the bullpen.
— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) August 4, 2014

Frias has been in the Dodger system since they signed him out of the Dominican Republic as a 17-year old.  He has quietly risen through the ranks and now is a starting pitcher for the Albuquerque Isotopes.  Frias throws an low-90's fastball and a slider.  Per a Dodger press release:

Frias, 24, has combined to go 10-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Albuquerque this year. The native of the Dominican Republic, who is making his first appearance on a 40-man roster, was a non-roster invitee to the club's 2014 Spring Training camp and made four appearances in Cactus League play. Frias will wear jersey no. 77.

You should expect him to pitch out of the bullpen as the Dodger long reliever - in place of Paul Maholm.  He may also provide a spot start, if needed.

BTW, Frias was one of the ballplayers ejected when Erisbel Arruebarrena went crazy in Reno, and was in the midst of serving a seven game suspension for his actions during the ensuing melee.  It's unclear to me if he is still serving his suspension.  The suspension was levied on July 28th, so today would be exactly a week later.

In celebration of Frias' officially becoming a Dodger, I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 from Spring Training and the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career minor league statistics, via Baseball Reference:


And if you want to get a quick look at him pitching watch the video below.  This is from a couple months ago.  He is on the mound pitching against Blake Lalli of  the Reno Aces.

Video Link:

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2014 Bowman Platinum Baseball - The Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on Friday's post featuring the Dodger base cards found within 2014 Bowman Platinum Baseball packs, I now show you the various Dodger insert cards that are available.  Tomorrow I'll have photos of the relic and autographed cards.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

1989 Bowman is Back Silver Diamond Refractor

#89BIB-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu

Cutting Edge Stars Set

#CES-YP Yasiel Puig

Toolsy Die-Cuts Set

#TDC-CS Corey Seager                        #TDC-JP Joc Pederson

Toolsy Die-Cuts 5-Tool Parallel Set

#5TDC-YP Yasiel Puig

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Angels Series Starts Tonight - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this evening against the Anaheim Angels, and several old-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.  BTW, the Dodger and Angels play two in LA starting tonight, then they play two in Anaheim starting on Wednesday. 

UPDATE:  I thought I should also note that since we are playing the Angels all fans can watch the next four games on FoxSports West (Angels Broadcast).  Better yet, it won't be "blacked-out."  You'll just not be able to listen to Vin Scully.

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Monday, August 4th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Garrett Richards

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first 20,000 fans will receive a Dodgers cap.  See it on the right.

Recording artist Tony Orlando will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Ruby Lewis, who currently stars in Queen’s rock theatrical “We Will Rock You” at the Ahmanson Theatre through August 24, will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Al Ferrara (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrell Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Sean Mc Tague of Temecula. Mc Tague enlisted and serves as an Avionics Electrical Technician and an MH-65D Flight Mechanic responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical systems. He also serves as a flight safety observer. Mc Tague has served deployments to the Bering Sea and provided support during hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. His accolades include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. 
• Tomorrow, three Dodgers RBI teams that participated in the MLB Jr. RBI Showcase Classic during Memorial Day weekend, Venice Boys and Girls Clubs, the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks and MLB Urban Youth Academy Compton, will be recognized pregame in center field. Prior to the on-field recognition, all 45 players and six coaches will be receiving New Balance shoes courtesy of Andre Ethier. Ethier will join them for a photo opportunity in center field as well.

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Tuesday, August 5th at 7:10 PM
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. LHP Hector Santiago

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first 20,000 fans will receive a Dodgers cap.  See it on the right.

Supermodel and 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model Chrissy Tiegen will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Mickey Hatcher (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Second Class Spencer Bryant of Thousand Oaks. Bryant enlisted in 2009 and serves onboard the USS Anchorage where he helps to maintain more than 8,000 maritime tracks, plotting the ship’s position, heading, speed and operating marine electronic navigation which helps the USS Anchorage to safely navigate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. He has also served onboard the USS Jarrett, where he provided humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Guatemala. Bank of America will present an authenticated flag and display case to Bryant. The flag has proudly flown over Dodger Stadium and is symbolic of the way in which our men and women in the Armed Forces proudly serve and protect our country. Navy veteran and Director of Southwest Sales and Performance Manager Merrill Edge Jason Geitter will present the flag on behalf of Bank of America.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/4/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Martin Lawrence visited the Dodgers yesterday afternoon, and got really chummy with the Blue Crew.  Pic above featuring Yasiel Puig and Lawrence via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more pics by Jon from yesterday.

On a side note, it's unfortunate the Dodgers lost the weekend series against the Cubs... And yeah, it sucks.  But ya know, that stuff happens.  Baseball is filled with so many twist and turns it never makes much sense to fret about the minute.  Instead, I prefer the more patient and macro approach to fandom.   Overall, the Dodgers are one of the better run producing teams in the league (4th) and has a pitching staff still regarded as one of the best.  And when you consider that they currently have the best record in the National League, I just feel there's much more to be thankful for than worried about.

Sure, there's plenty of room for improvement, and I suspect the Dodgers will make some moves to improve.  It's just that the constant harping about this guy or that guy, or the lack of an impact deadline trade stinks of irrational sensationalism.  As a Dodger fan I'm in a happy place, the Dodgers are in a happy place, and you should be too.  Come on folks, were in 1st place, and odds are we will continue to compete the rest of the season.  That's something to hang your hat on. 

• ICYMI:  Over the weekend pitcher Paul Maholm was sent to the DL, and reliever Paco Rodriguez was called back up.  Maholm is likely headed for surgery.  He was diagnosed with a right ACL tear
• Via Andy Kamenetzky at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers 'come through in big moments'"

Via Don Mattingly: We’ve got plenty of guys here that have come through in big moments. We didn’t have Adrian. We didn’t have Yasiel. But we do have Matt [Kemp]. We do have Hanley [Ramirez]. We still have Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier. There’s a number of guys that have come through for you, not counting even the [Scott] Van Slykes and J.T.’s [Justin Turners] and the Dee Gordons. 

• There were of couple of big signing events over the weekend at WSS stores in Los Angeles.  It included Dodger greats such as Yeager, Mota, Johnstone, Jarrin, Valenzuela and Cey.  Fortunately, a couple of bloggers shared their experience.  Check out Blue Skinny Fan's post at the event featuring Yeager, Mota and Johnstone, here.  Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his day getting autographs from Jarrin, Valenzuela and Cey, here.
• Apparently, the cat is now out of the bag.  The rumored outdoor NHL hockey game between the Kings and San Jose Sharks next season will be happening on Saturday, February 21st at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, via Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy.  Ticketmaster briefly had tickets for sale before realizing their mistake.
• The Chronicles of Fuji writes about, "Two Powerful Words."  He explains why being a teacher has been all worthwhile.

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