Brandon McCarthy is Done - Has Torn UCL

Our worst fears have been realized. The most heralded free agent signing of the off-season has just blown back on us.  It has just been reported by Bill Shaikin on twitter that starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy is done.  He has a torn UCL - ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

McCarthy: UCL tear, out for year
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 27, 2015

Although Mattingly has yet to say if McCarthy will have Tommy John surgery, via Shaikin on twitter.

Mattingly won't say if McCarthy will have Tommy John surgery. If he does, he's out thru mid- to late-2016. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 27, 2015

Needless to say, this really sucks!

As you'll recall, Brandon signed a four year $48M contract contract in early December.  Overall, his addition to the team was heralded by many; especially the sabermetric set - who saw his potential to be a top line starter.  Unfortunately, his injury prone nature that includes a stress fracture to his shoulder, shoulder surgery a couple of years later and surgery to relieve cranial pressure due to being hit in the head by a batted ball has not abated.  Now, he has to deal with a torn UCL.

As some would say, this guy has some bad luck... And so do we.  I'm so hoping he doesn't become this ownerships version of Jason Schmidt.

In light of this announcement, Brandon McCarthy was rather introspective on twitter.

to be fair, 31 years of use is a lot to ask for from a ligament
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) April 27, 2015

At least Brandon has a good sense of humor.

UPDATE: McCarthy is now officially on the DL, so relief pitcher Adam Liberatore has been called back up.  Via a press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 26) with a right UCL tear and recalled left-handed pitcher Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Liberatore, 27, last pitched on Saturday for Oklahoma City, striking out the side in a scoreless inning against Omaha (Royals), and tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in three appearances with the Dodgers during his first stint with the club, April 17-21, allowing just one hit (1-for-13, .077) and striking out four. In three minor league outings this year with Oklahoma City, Liberatore allowed one run on three hits and struck out five in 3.0 innings.

McCarthy picked up the win on Saturday at San Diego, but was removed from the game during the sixth inning with right elbow tightness. In four starts this season, he’s gone 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA (15 ER/23.0 IP).

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

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Getting a Look Inside Puig's Home

As part of a new web series sponsored by Coldwell Banker, a video was just released that provides a glimpse at the new home Puig recently bought for himself near Dodger Stadium.  You get a little peek at his digs, and find out what home means to him.  Check it out below.

Video Link:

One thing of note is that his home has a smaller backyard that what I would've expected.  Another thing is that his reputation as a gamer only grows larger.  I bet that with him now on the DL he'll now find himself in front of that tv more often.

Per a press release provided by Coldwell Banker:

The 14-week series, starting today on the Coldwell Banker® Blue Matter blog, will offer behind-the-scenes videos of more than a dozen baseball stars. Each video will feature an exclusive look at the player’s home along with interviews on what home means to them. The Coldwell Banker Real Estate series leads with a look inside the home and off-the-field life of Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder, Yasiel Puig.

Shane Victorino's home is next - coming out May 6th.  Go here to check out the other videos.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2015 - Dodger Links - Mattingly, AGon, Ryu and Guerrero

Few realize that a woman once was a co-owner of the Dodgers with Walter O'Malley.  Her name was Mae Smith and by the late 50's she owned about one-quarter of team.  Her husband John L. Smith, a famed executive responsible for the mass production of Penicillin at Pfizer, joined the Dodger ownership den in 1944 when the Ebbets family decided they wanted out.  In 1950 he passed away and his shares naturally transferred to his wife. 

The photo above captures Mrs. Smith with Walt Alston, Carl Erskine and Walter O'Malley on February 25, 1956 in Vero Beach.  It is an Associated Press photo that I saw on eBay.  Check out the auction here.  On a side note, she donated 50 Royal Palm trees in memory of her late husband to Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach.  They were planted along the perimeter of the outfield.

Below are some links from the weekend to check out:

• Via Richard Justice at MLB.com, "Mattingly deftly manages deep Dodgers roster."

Mattingly emphasized that every lineup was one he believed gave the Dodgers the best chance to win that day's game. In the end, nothing else is supposed to matter. The players trusted Mattingly and knew he had no other agenda.

That situation got back to the core of why Mattingly has been successful. To know him is to like him and believe in him. There's a decency and honesty about Mattingly that plays well over a long season. In that way, players want to please him.

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Adrian Gonzalez challenges radio host who called him slow to footrace."
• Via Sarah at We're born again, there's new grass on the field; she shares some pics from a Baseball Reliquary exhibit at the Arcadia Public Library.
• ICYMI: Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers reportedly ink Carp to Minors deal." 
• Gurnick also tells us that, "Ryu takes next step toward recovery from shoulder injury."

"He throws where he wants," Mattingly said. "It's like he hasn't missed a beat. It's a matter of getting him strong. He didn't feel anything, he's had no problem. The process is going good and we'll let it play out."

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Dodgers Video: Scott Van Slyke Creates Makeshift Umbrella In Dugout."
• Via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs, "The New Alex Guerrero Problem."

Guerrero is forcing the Dodgers to play him more often, and Don Mattingly acknowledged that he’s going to have to put this guy in the line-up more often going forward.

“When a guy’s swinging the bat, you’re going to find playing time for him,” Mattingly said. “That’s just the way this game is.”

• Matt Meltzer at the Thrillist ranks all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
• I thought I'd pass along a great looking print made by Jeff Suntala.  It features the ballparks the LA Dodgers have played in.  Go here to check it out.  Below is a pic.

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