DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

Hatcher ready to close if needed
by Daniel Starkand | Dodgers Nation — 5 minutes ago

One thing that was made apparent on Opening Day had nothing to do with the game that was played. It happened when the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres were announced before the game. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who injured his foot in Spring Training, limped out of the dugout in a walking boot after hearing his name announced, making it clear to fans that he will not be returning any time soon.

With Jansen out for at least a month, that puts added pressure on a bullpen that is already under scrutiny after a poor performance in 2014. Newly acquired reliever Chris Hatcher put ease to that scrutiny, at least for one night, needing just nine pitches to retire the Padres and earn the save.

According to Clay Fowler of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Dodger Stadium crowd had the right-hander nervous:

“Being in Dodger Stadium like that, it was pretty electric and I was probably too geeked up, too excited,” Hatcher said. “And once I hit the guy, I realized, ‘Hey, it’s still baseball. Get three outs.’”​

Hatcher, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Dee Gordon trade, is a converted catcher that throws a hard fastball with two good off-speed pitches, leading manager Don Mattingly to believe that he belonged in the closer’s role yesterday afternoon:

“He’s got weapons,” Mattingly said. “He’s one of those guys we feel like is good for lefties and righties. He’s got three pitches, locates. So we thought he was a good matchup.”​

It remains to be seen if Monday’s call by Mattingly was an indication that Hatcher will fill the closer’s role until Jansen returns. Hatcher doesn’t believe so:

“I don’t think it’s going to come down to one guy while Kenley’s out, to be honest with you,” Hatcher said. “I’m going to go about it every day … I’m going to be ready.”
​

It will be hard to take Hatcher out of that role if he continues to produce the way he did yesterday.

​

 

Pederson impresses in Opening Day start
by Vincent Samperio | Dodgers Nation — 51 minutes ago

Heading into Spring Training, many believed that Joc Pederson would be the Los Angeles Dodgers starting center fielder.

Manager Don Mattingly made it clear that he would have to earn the spot and Pederson did just that, hitting .338 with six home runs and 13 RBIs. On Monday, the 22-year-old found himself in center field and batting seventh on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. He went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Mattingly still won’t call Pederson the everyday center fielder, even though it seems that way:

“You’re going to see Joc a lot in center field.”​

In the sixth inning, Pederson showed that his bat is not the only reason he became one of the top prospects in baseball. He made a nice diving catch to rob Will Middlebrooks of a double in a play that Dodger fans aren’t used to seeing. Matt Kemp had his fair share of highlight-reel plays in his time with the team and Yasiel Puig did the same in center field last season, but Pederson is the first natural center fielder in quite some time.

Because of that, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is ready for more from his outfielder:

“I’m excited to see what we can do over the course of the season,” Clayton Kershaw said.​

Despite his solid debut, Pederson was quick to brush off the praise and avoid cockiness:

“It’s been a long process,” Pederson said. “A lot of the hard work is paying off. I’m thankful for the coaches that have helped me and continue to help me. I still have a long way to go.”
​

The Dodgers hope that he reaches his potential this season and hold down the position for years to come.

​

 

Rollins, Kendrick break down game-winning HR
Dodgers Nation — 5 minutes ago

With the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres tied at three in the later innings, there was a chance for a Dodger to step in and be the Opening Day hero.

Then, much like he had done the Dodgers as member of the Philadelphia Phillies for many years, Jimmy Rollins grabbed ahold of that opportunity and put a ball several rows into the stands, just inside the right field foul pole, to win over Chavez Ravine on Opening Day.

After hitting the three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jimmy Rollins and fellow newcomer Howie Kendrick deciphered the at-bat in which the 36-year-old veteran went from bring down 0-2 in the count to hitting the game-winner to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

“I came out early a little bit overaggressive,” Rollins said. “After the second swing, it kind of calmed me down. I told myself to slow everything down. He started bouncing a couple balls and got me back into the count.”​

Kendrick, who himself had an outstanding debut, broke down Rollins’ approach at the plate like a seasoned analyst:

“He battled,” said Kendrick, who was 2 for 4 with a double, triple, RBI and run scored in his debut as a Dodger. “He got a pitch he could handle and he didn’t miss it. That was a veteran at-bat. He fouled off those sliders and got a pitch in the honey hole – that’s what we call it – and he didn’t miss.”
​

Rollins and Kendrick, who were brought in as replacements for Hanley Ramirez and Dee Gordon respectively, also added some key double plays to help the Dodgers earn the victory.

 

it would be really tough to be a loyal marlins fan...
buy, buy, fire sale... buy, buy, fire sale... rinse/repeat

 

fixed

 

yup, the fans have no interest
like trying to sell an invitation to a morals seminar to the kardashians

 

agreed
and i think both well settle in once they realize they have productive players around them and aren't being [solely] relied on to carry the team
especially joc, who [according to all reports] isn't lacking in the confidence department

 

Jansen hoping for mid-May return
by Daniel Starkand | Dodgers Nation — 15 minutes ago

While the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in 2014, the closer’s role was not. Right-hander Kenley Jansen saved 44 games for the Dodgers in 49 attempts, yielding a 2.76 ERA while striking out 101 compared to 19 walks.

Just two days prior to Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training, the club announced Jansen underwent surgery on his left foot that was expected to sideline him at least a month into the season.

Jansen was seen wearing a boot yesterday at Opening Day, but according to our own Vincent Samperio, he is on pace to return to the team in mid-May:

Jansen is no longer in the boot, and he has begun throwing, feeling no pain in his foot:

Right-hander Chris Hatcher got the save in the Dodgers 6-3 Opening Day victory over the San Diego Padres, but in Spring Training manager Don Mattingly said that who closes out games will be decided based on matchups until Jansen returns. Candidates to close out games in the meantime include veterans J.P. Howell and Joel Peralta, as well as Hatcher.

Since being called up in July of 2010, Jansen has only missed time once, when he dealt with heart problems at the end of the 2012 season.

 

makes total sense and i agree
sometimes he tries to force it instead of letting it come to him
i do think he'll figure it out as he gets older/matures, and i think having a credible vet like rollins around will help him immensely