Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #4

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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(Kershaw and AGon head ping pong tourney draw, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

THE FORCE AWAKENS: The Dodgers held their fourth full-squad workout of Spring Training today, getting in some team defense work (cutoffs and relays), to go along with live batting practice. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play this Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

• Pitchers who faced live hitters today were Scott Kazmir, Mike Bolsinger, Jharel Cotton, Jacob Rhame, Pedro Baez and Louis Coleman. 
• Alex Wood, Brandon Beachy, and Jamey Wright all threw regular bullpens.

SPOTLIGHT: During his morning media session, Dodger manager Dave Roberts named three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw the starting pitcher for the Cactus League opener as well as Opening Day 2016 in San Diego. The Opening Day nod will be Kershaw’s sixth consecutive Opening Day start, leaving him one shy of the Dodger franchise record (7), shared by Don Drysdale (1958-61, ’63, ’65, ‘69) and Don Sutton (1972-78). Fernando Valenzuela (1981, 1983-86, ’88) and William “Brickyard” Kennedy (1894-96, 1898-1900) are the only other members of the franchise to tally at least six Opening Day starts. 

• Kershaw has three Opening Day victories, trailing just Drysdale (5) and Sutton (4).

(McCarthy and Kershaw, pic via Jon SooHoo at @Dodgers on twitter)

THE BIG SHORT: Standing just 5’9, the shortest player in Dodger camp is speedy outfielder Rico Noel, who was signed by the club to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training on Dec. 23, 2015. Noel made his Major League debut for the Yankees last September, going 1-for-2 with five runs scored and five stolen bases in just 15 games. In six minor league seasons with the Padres (2010-15) and Yankees (2015), the Oklahoma native has hit .254 while stealing 283 bases in 344 attempts (82.3%). Noel has swiped 50 or more bases in a season three times: 2011 (62), 2012 (90) and 2013 (59). The 27-year-old was originally selected by the Padres in the fifth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Coastal Carolina University.

• The tallest player in Dodger camp is Brandon McCarthy, who stands 6’7. 

STRAIGHT OUTTA FULLERTON:  The Dodgers would like to welcome Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda, who arrived for his first day of camp at Camelback Ranch this morning. Lasorda, 88, is entering his 67th season in the Dodger organization. The longtime skipper compiled a record of 1,599-1,439 (.526) in 20 seasons, including two world championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles. 

(Roberts and Lasorda, pic via Jon SooHoo at @Dodgers on twitter)

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