Julio Urias took the mound for his Cactus League debut this afternoon, and he faced the Rockies. The plan was for Urias to pitch one or two innings, based on how his first inning went.
After giving up two hits and one run, the kid was done (sort of). He tossed 14 pitches and notched two strike outs. The skipper pulled Urias from the game, but he threw one more simulated inning in the bullpen.
Per Bill Plunkett, LA Times: Julio Urias said he feels “more comfortable” in big-league camp this year “but I don’t feel as if I can stop fighting for a spot on the team.”
Elsewhere in today’s game:
Andre Ethier blasted a solo home run today.
Henry Ramos had a three run home run.
O’Koyea Dickson also joined in the fun and hit a home run of his own.
The former skipper, Tommy Lasorda was at the game, bringing good luck to the boys, who went on to smash the Rockies 14-3.
Old friend Joe Blanton signed a $4 million (with additional incentives), one-year deal with Nationals.
The Dodgers clearly believe Cody Bellinger is the real deal, and they plan to get him as much playing time as possible this spring. While they don’t plan for Bellinger to start 2017 with the big club, they see more professional at bats as a valuable tool in his development.
The Dodgers may be thinking plenty of Bellinger-time is good insurance in the event the Butter and Eggs man should go down or otherwise peter out mid-season.
For those who care: Clubhouse ping-pong table out, pool table in. Speaking of butter and eggs, A-Gon seems to be at the root of this one.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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A long ways from taking shape, but some guys are beginning to pull away from the pack.
Let’s keep ALL the Vinny-isms proudly alive and in use. Starting “butter & eggs” man, “marching & chowder society” his way of relating that “deuces are wild” and all the rest.
Was just in Pasadena visiting the botanical gardens at the Huntington Library. Is your house the Tudor about 4 doors up Allen Street from the entrance? Very nice.
All jokes aside, Pasadena is a nice town with a great view and the Huntington is an incredible place.
Also, Vin Scully is a national treasure.
If Vinny should write a memoir with his “isms”, the original should be in the Huntington Library alongside Thoreau.
Yes! Let’s build this into the Vin Scully blogging and marching and chowder society.
Yaisel Sierra had a good day. Wouldn’t it be something if things click and Sierra, with his power sinker and slider combo, becomes a dominant set up man for Kenley?
“The sinker was explosive, late in the zone with a lot of depth,” Roberts said. “He had a punch-out with the slider. So really effective, got a couple ground balls. It was good.”
Sierra would be as nice surprise as he sure didn’t impress as a 25 year old in A and AA last year (5.89 ERA, 1.48 WHIP). If he’s throwing strikes down and on the edges he could come in handy. 26 in June, no need to allow time for maturity. Let’s see more innings in the coming weeks.
Good for Dre. Nice to see him really getting into one. Lets hope his last year in Dodger blue is his best. Report on Thompson says he is 100% healthy and ready to go. First cactus league start could be in a couple of days.
I read that about Thompson too. If he is 100% it makes our outfield both better, and more crowded. He and Van Slyke occupy the same platoon spot in left field and Ethier healthy puts Toles in the minors. And, if Thompson is healthy, where is Gutierrez going to play again? Good problem to have I suppose.
Depth is better than greed. Thompson would become Pederson’s platoon made, I suppose.
After 151 games in ’15, Pederson was down to 137 in ’16. If you look at projections, they have him as low as 132 games, and 3.3 WAR, and as high as 146 games, and 4.5 WAR. I would sure like to see all of our up the middle players as full time. I know that isn’t the play in the platoon era, but for good reason Seager won’t be platooned. I’m hoping Pederson shows enough improvement against LHP that he stays in there for the 146 games and takes the occasional day off, like say when Bumgarner is on the mound. Good luck with that Trayce. Not sure how the RH team of Van Slyke, Gutierrez and Thompson plays out.
Badger
It is going to be hard for Joc to keep his average up against lefties, but I think we need to see, what he is going to do.
I noticed a big difference in Joc, and Bellinger.
Bellinger doesn’t get off balance, like Joc does, when he swings at times.
Joc can look good in one at bat, and then look terrible, in his next at bat.
I hope he can change that, this year.
He is the best defensive centerfielder, but if he doesn’t hit lefties, that is not going to matter.
And if the other guys like Thompson, just plays one outfield position, they would probably get better.
But I don’t think they have that luxary.
It is easier to see the ball off the bat, in centerfield, as compared to the other outfield positions.
The corner positions are often difficult because of the spin of the ball off the bat. There are a lot of snap hooks and nasty fades that have to be negotiated, and often you don’t have a lot of time to figure it out. I’ve played all three and I liked playing center because of the room and the flight of the ball was often easier to track.
Again, I’m hoping Joc isn’t settling for a platoon job, and by that I mean he’s putting in extra time against left handed spin.
Today’s game is a night game, right?
Artieboy
I just heard it is five our time.
I was glad to see Ethier hit one out too.
I felt bad for him last year, when he was injured.
I know he was excited to play for Roberts last year, so I hope he has a good year.
He was the best bat in the outfield, in 2015.
You mean “old softie”? Man it’s nice to not be hearing the bashing of Ethier and the constant negative opinion of AGon and how he came here. We’re a damn good team and both those guys have been contributing factors.
I don’t understand how some fans regard Ethier as soft and bash him and AGon for making too much money, and yet can turn around and call Kazmir and McCarthy grinders. Amazing subjectivity.