Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2016 - Dodgers Links - Guerrero DFA'd, Urias Called Back Up and Kazmir's Fantastic Start

Has he figured it out?

Last night was the second great start for Scott Kazmir.  He threw six strong innings, recorded seven strike outs and allowed only one hit all evening to the Cubs.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"He's back," manager Dave Roberts said. "The ball has life and the changeup, he's getting extension with the change and the fastball. The deception is there. He's just really excited about the place he's at. Even when he's giving up runs, he's throwing the ball well, so I think he's been back and it's exciting for us."

...
"It's kind of just getting everything in sync," (Scott Kazmir) said. "That's where I'm at right now."

You can watch Dave Roberts speak more about Kazmir's start with Alanna Rizzo on SportsNet LA here (Video Link Here). 

Photo above of Kazmir and AGon via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday's game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Don Drysdale beat the Phillies for his 13th victory without a loss over the past 15 starts against them.  He would then go 0-9 in his next 12 starts against Philadelphia.  In 1997 Wilton Guerrero is ejected (and later suspended) for using a corked bat in that days game.  He had broken his bat while at the plate and immediately scrambled to pick up the broken pieces.  The umpire, a bit curious at Guerrero's actions, decided to investigate, and found cork strewn on the grass.
• Happy Birthday, Derek Lowe!
• Oy Vey!  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Andre Ethier’s return to be delayed." 
• Come on now! Via Brian Hedger at MLB.com; "Puig a late scratch with sore left hamstring."
• This is both bad and good.  Alex Wood, whose start was delayed due to arm soreness, was placed on the DL with left posterior elbow soreness.  He had struggled the past week or so with arm soreness.  In his place, Julio Urias, who started for Wood this past Friday, has been called back up.  It'll be interesting how he does a second time around.  He is slated to pitch against the Braves this weekend.  Via a Dodgers press release:

Urias made his Major League debut on Friday at New York-NL and allowed three runs on five hits in 2.2 innings before being optioned back to Oklahoma City on Saturday. Urias, pronounced oo-REE-ahs, has gone 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA in eight games (seven starts) with OKC and leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA (1.10), WHIP (0.78) and opponents’ batting average (.176), while striking out 44 against just eight walks in 41.0 innings.

 

Wood allowed two runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings in yesterday’s loss to the Cubs and is 1-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 10 starts this season. He is making his first trip to the disabled list in his four big league seasons.

Via Brian Hedger at MLB.com:

"We gave Alex a few extra days his last turn, and after [Monday's start] he just had some discomfort," Roberts said. "[Tuesday] morning he woke up with more of the same, so it just made sense to get him back to L.A. and get more tests done. ... It's just more precautionary, but we're hoping for the best."

• Via Brian Cox at The Infatuation; "The Best Things To Eat at Dodger Stadium."
• Via Marc Russinoff for the Somerset Patriots; "LA Dodgers Purchase Contract of Patriots RHP Gus Schlosser."  He has been sent to AAA Oklahoma City.
• Via Jesse Sanchex at MLB.com; "Breaking down the Top 30 International Prospects list."
• Baseball America's prospect email report tells us about Dodgers left-handed pitching prospect Michael Boyle:

A three-year starter at Radford, Boyle is not overpowering but can spot his upper-80s fastball to both sides of the plate. His late-breaking curve flashes above-average when he gets on top of it. Boyle doesn’t generate many strikeouts, but batters have a tough time squaring him up. On Tuesday, he allowed just four hits in seven innings in a no-decision for low Class A Great Lakes against West Michigan (Tigers). Boyle has good command, but has been inconsistent this season, walking 20 in 53 2/3 innings. 

• ICYMI:  The Dodgers have DFA's Alex Guerrero yesterday.  Via a press release:

Guerrero, 29, had been recovering from a left knee contusion, suffered during Spring Training, and batted .136 (9-for-66) with a double, a homer and four RBI in 16 games during his rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Las Tunas, Cuba, native appeared in 117 big league games during two seasons with the Dodgers from 2014-2015, batting .224 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI, after signing a four-year contract with Los Angeles as an international free agent on Oct. 21, 2013.

No surprise here.  What happens to him now will be a mystery for a few more days.  The Dodgers have ten days to trade him or place him on unconditional release waivers.  As you may know, his contract does not allow the Dodgers to assign him to the minors without his consent.

• Audio:  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily; "SI Vault’s ‘Evolution of Baseball Cards’" (Audio Link Here)
• Baseball History Daily tells us a bit about; "Rube (Waddell) in LA."

“When Rube Waddell was with Los Angeles (Angels of the PCL) he was the life of the club.  There was never a dull minute with Waddell on the bench.  If ever there was a nut he was it.  They called him a rube.  Don’t know where they picked up the name, but he was anything but what his name would indicate.  With all his antics Waddell was a wise coot, and if you think he wasn’t I would like to have the extra money it cost (Angels Manager) Jim Morley to keep him on the team.

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