Welcome to the Blue, Dennis Santana!

Originally signed as a 17-year old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, Dennis Santana is now poised to make his Major League debut in a Dodger uniform as a pitcher soon. Per his own tweet, he was called at midnight and told to jump on a plane to Los Angeles. He's a big leaguer now! Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana (#77) from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

2018 Topps Tier One - The Scarce Dodgers Cards

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers' cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Tier One Baseball card brand. Featured below is largely a checklist of various scarce inserts. Many of the cards listed below are "1 of 1's", so when possible I've included an example of the card.

One insert set of note is the below Signature Tools Autograph Relics, and as you can see it features a piece of a pen used by the player to sign autographs -- I kid you not!

I am still waiting for previously chewed gum relic cards. 

Signature Tools Autograph Relics (#/1)

• #STAR-AV Alex Verdugo
• #STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #STAR-MP Mike Piazz
• #STAR-SK Sandy Koufax

#STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw     #STAR-MP Mike Piazza

Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another DL bound pitcher. As you certainly know, Kenta Maeda suffered a right hip strain during last nights loss to the Phillies, 6-1. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's unexpected. Murphy's Law type of thing," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said he anticipates Maeda being placed on the disabled list. "But our guys are resilient. We keep finding ways to win and battle." 

On the heels of Brock Stewart's four-inning spot start on Monday night, the Dodgers' bullpen had to pick up 7 1/3 innings from Maeda on Tuesday night. That's 12 1/3 bullpen innings in two days, a toll that could be felt for days to come, especially with a weekend series at Coors Field against the first-place Rockies. 

"I thought our 'pen did a good job trying to eat up 23 outs," said Roberts. "It's not ideal. It was really stressed today."

Photo above via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field. His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. BTW, Rowell's hit, recorded as a double, should have earned him a free watch from Bulova, but did not receive it until 41 years later, on Bama Rowell day in his hometown of  Citronelle, Alabama. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game. The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!