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Monday, February 22, 2016

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #3


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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(AGon, Puig and Turner, pic via Jon SooHoo/@Dodgers on twitter)

CASE OF THE MONDAYS: Dodger pitchers and catchers held their third official workout of Spring Training today, with PFPs, bullpen sessions and batting practice in preparation for Opening Day, April 4 at San Diego. Position players report on Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will take place the following day, Thursday, Feb. 25. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play on Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

FAMILIAR FACE: Among the pitchers to throw his second “official” bullpen today was veteran right-handed reliever Joe Blanton, who was signed in the off-season and is making his second stint with Los Angeles after making 10 starts with the club in 2012. Blanton, 35, spent time with the Royals and the Pirates in 2015, posting a combined 7-2 with two saves and a 2.84 ERA in 36 games (four starts). After being acquired by the Pirates on July 29, 2015, he went 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA (6 ER/34.1 IP) in 21 appearances down the stretch, ranking among the National League’s best relievers (min. 15.0 IP) in wins (1st), innings (34.1, 2nd), strikeouts (39, T-3rd) and ERA (9th) during that span. He has posted a 92-91 career record with a 4.44 ERA in 201 games (252 starts) in 11 big leagues seasons and in 49 career relief appearances, he’s posted a 5-2 record with two saves and a 3.91 ERA.
  • Joining Blanton in throwing their second official bullpens of the spring today were Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, J.P. Howell, Kenley Jensen, Chris Hatcher, Luis Avilan, Yimi Garcia, Carlos Frias, Adam Liberatore, Ross Stripling, Matt West, Zach Lee and Chase De Jong.
(Ryu and Maeda, pic via Jon SooHoo/@Dodgers on twitter)

THE WAITING ROOM: Dodger reliever Josh Ravin missed his third consecutive day due to flu-like symptoms and non-roster right-handed reliever Caleb Dirks will be down a few days with a stiff lower back. Right-hander Brooks Brown, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Oct. 14, 2015, is also being held back from throwing due to right shoulder soreness.

MEDIA DAY: Today, at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Dodger General Manager Farhan Zaidi and Dodger Manager Dave Roberts will address the local and national media from 3-4 p.m. The duo will sit at their designated tables, similar to an All-Star Game style set up, and answer questions from the assembled media corps. Roberts is scheduled to do a live interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter and will also do an interview with MLB Network’s Tom Verducci. The Cactus League media event has been staged by Major League Baseball the past four seasons.

(Adrian Gonzalez is now in camp, pic via Jon SooHoo/@Dodgers on twitter)

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Vintage Sandy Koufax in these Fan Taken Photographs


It's been awhile since I've dived into the further reaches of the eBay marketplace to find some vintage fan-taken photographs, so when I came across these stills I knew I had to share them here.  Featured are a couple of snapshoots of Sandy Koufax, circa 1960's.  Unfortunately, a specific date isn't provided.  

The pic at the very top features a posed Koufax standing along the left field line (auction link here).  I am unsure who is standing, stumbling, in the background.  This photo makes me wonder if this was originally taken during an fan photo day.

Below is Sandy signing a Baseball for a lucky fan (auction link here).  I wonder if the fan still has this ball. 

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Blog Kiosk: 2/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Roberts, De Leon and Kenta Maeda


Even with games still over a week away fans have started to flock to Camleback Ranch for photos and autographs.  Check out Brett Chris Anderson and Mike Bolsinger in the above photo, tweeted out by Camelback Ranch, signing for fans.  One helpful piece of advice, provided by the Dodgers Spring home, is:
Early bird gets the worm! Best time to get @Dodgers autographs is around 9:15am when the club works out.
Rise and shine, Dodgers fans!  Below are more links to check out:
“I think that as a coach, or as a first-time manager, you always want to control your emotions,” Roberts said. “But we just met for the first time in there and I let the guys know how excited I am and how excited the staff is. Every year, the first day of spring training is exciting, but obviously in this position, it’s all new to me. It’s going to be fun.”
De Leon’s feel for pitching is big league ready. He throws all of his pitches for strikes (including a fringe, get-me-over curveball early in counts) and will change the sequencing of his pitches to keep hitters off balance. Despite high swing and miss totals, De Leon can get hit when he misses in the zone, especially with the slider, or as he tires with the fastball.

"Mechanically, he's very solid," (Rick) Honeycutt said. "Able to move the ball, control the baseball, make the ball do different things. He's actually a good hitter. He's an athlete."
  • Beth Harris at the AP has the details on Yaisel Sierra's contract; "Dodgers, Cuban pitcher Yaisel Sierra finalize $30M deal."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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