Following in GitH's footsteps, here's what you need to know about the Dodgers these days:
- The injuries keep piling up as Ethier got banged up today after running into the fence trying to track a deep drive (by Juan Pierre of all people) and Barajas sprained his wrist trying to tag Pierre out at the plate. I doubt either will go on the DL, but they'll probably need a couple days to get healthy. If either does go on the DL, they would probably be replaced by Gibbons and Navarro in the starting line-up with Jamie Hoffmann and AJ Ellis being called up.
- Furcal finally came back today and looked pretty rusty at the plate. It'll probably take a week or two for him to find his stroke, so if you own him and have him on the bench/DL, might want to wait a bit to activate him.
- Jerry Sands had a nice couple games by hitting his first homer of the season yesterday and collecting four hits today. He's starting to look more comfortable at the plate and should have some job security after being benched for Gibbons recently.
- The starting pitching had looked great until these last two games against the White Sox. Kershaw and Billingsley continue to impress, Kuroda had been pitching very well until today's shellacking, and Garland and Lilly will continue to be inconsistent due to their age and slow fastballs.
- The bullpen has been discussed extensively and I continue to believe Jansen will be "the man" before too long. Guerrier is a good reliever, but just doesn't profile as a closer.
- There are some quality prospects to keep an eye on in the minor leagues
- The injuries keep piling up as Ethier got banged up today after running into the fence trying to track a deep drive (by Juan Pierre of all people) and Barajas sprained his wrist trying to tag Pierre out at the plate. I doubt either will go on the DL, but they'll probably need a couple days to get healthy. If either does go on the DL, they would probably be replaced by Gibbons and Navarro in the starting line-up with Jamie Hoffmann and AJ Ellis being called up.
- Furcal finally came back today and looked pretty rusty at the plate. It'll probably take a week or two for him to find his stroke, so if you own him and have him on the bench/DL, might want to wait a bit to activate him.
- Jerry Sands had a nice couple games by hitting his first homer of the season yesterday and collecting four hits today. He's starting to look more comfortable at the plate and should have some job security after being benched for Gibbons recently.
- The starting pitching had looked great until these last two games against the White Sox. Kershaw and Billingsley continue to impress, Kuroda had been pitching very well until today's shellacking, and Garland and Lilly will continue to be inconsistent due to their age and slow fastballs.
- The bullpen has been discussed extensively and I continue to believe Jansen will be "the man" before too long. Guerrier is a good reliever, but just doesn't profile as a closer.
- There are some quality prospects to keep an eye on in the minor leagues
- Trayvon Robinson is hitting pretty well in AAA (.878 OPS) and could be the starting LF next year if the Dodgers decide to non-tender Loney and move Sands to 1B.
- Dee Gordon is holding his own as a 23-year-old in AAA (.308 BA, 15 SB) and could take over for Furcal at SS next year
- Rubby de la Rosa continues his rise up the prospect charts with a 2.93 ERA in AA to go along with 52 K's in 40 IP. He's still walking a few too many (19) but he looks to be on track to replace Kuroda or Garland in the rotation next year.
- Scott Van Slyke (Andy's son) is tearing up AA (.992 OPS), but is already 24 and is behind Sands and Robinson in the pecking order for LF/1B. If the Dodgers ever get back into contention he could be trade bait, but for now he doesn't seem to have a clear path to the majors.
- The more heralded starting pitcher prospects - Chris Withrow and Ethan Miller - continue to falter even though they're still striking out more than a batter per inning each
- Other pitching prospects to look out for are Nate Eovaldi (2.97 ERA, 44 K's in 39 1/3 IP at AA), Allen Webster (2.33 ERA, 62 K's in 54 IP at hi-A), Zach Lee (1.17 ERA, 28 K's in 30 2/3 IP in low-A although he's been shut down for elbow soreness), and Garret Gould (1.76 ERA, 34 K's in 41 IP at low-A).
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