Dodgers recall five players, Withrow next, Kemp struggling in Rancho

Today is the day Major League Baseball rosters expand from 25 players to 40. The Dodgers recalled five players today, and there aren't plans to recall many more players.

The Dodgers recalled Drew Butera, Stephen Fife, Dee Gordon, Peter Moylan and Scott Van Slyke from Triple-A Albuquerque, which ends its season on Tuesday. Chris Withrow will be recalled on Tuesday to basically fill out the bullpen.

All five figure not to play much, especially Fife, who might not make a start this month, especially after the Dodgers signed Edinson Volquez on Thursday.

Dodgers' Manager Don Mattingly said there are no plans to recall left-handed pitcher Onelki Garcia at this time. Garcia, 24, was the Dodgers' third-round draft selection in the 2012 MLB Draft.

I previously speculated the Dodgers promoted Garcia to Triple-A in plans of making him a September call-up. Barring anything unforeseen, that won't happen, but it isn't because of poor performance.

"Just listening to some of our guys who have seen him this year, they're really happy with the way he's going," Mattingly said. "As the season went on, he got better and better. He's kinda getting on the radar."

Other than Matt Kemp, who isn't exactly a September call-up, there aren't many other players who plan to be recalled.

And Kemp has struggled in Rancho Cucamonga, going 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in three games. He's slated to play at least one more game for the Quakes today. The Quakes are 1 1/2 games ahead for the wild card spot in the California League with two games to play. So, it stands to reason Kemp could get a little more action down there in the coming week before being recalled to Los Angeles. If he isn't ready, he could wind ump in the Instructional League in Arizona.

"We want to make sure he's feeling good," Mattingly said. "I want to make sure he's comfortable and ready to go out there.

"I know he doesn't feel good yet at the plate, so he's not pushing us to say, 'I want to be there tomorrow.' The thought is, he's going to continue to play -- we just don't know the logistics of all that."

Here's some video of Kemp's first two at-bats in last night's Quakes' game.



Kemp looked bad at the plate in all three of his at-bats (struck out in his third). He didn't stick around long after the game. He said he felt good, but he was obviously frustrated.

Still, when he comes back -- ready to go -- he'll be a big boost for the Dodgers.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 30 - Puig, Billingsley, Ryu, bullpen, signings

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) and talk about the questions and stories surrounding the Dodgers leading up to the season's start.

The Dodgers optioned Yasiel Puig to Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday. It was the right move, but also a possible temporary move. He'll be the one of the first players recalled if (when) the Dodgers need him.

We also talk about Dee Gordon getting optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. We prefer that Gordon get the starting shortstop gig, pushing Luis Cruz back to third base. Instead, the Dodgers are going with some sort of Juan Uribe/Jerry Hairston combination.

Chad Billingsley is going to miss his first start and likely begin the season on the disabled list. This paves the way for Hyun-Jin Ryu to start the team's second game of the season against the Giants.

Kyle Lohse signed with the Brewers on Monday. Because of the signing, they lose their first-round pick at No. 17. The Dodgers, originally slated to choose at No. 19, move up one spot. They landed Corey Seager at No. 18 last year.

Who's going to get the final spot in the bullpen? It's down to Kevin Gregg (likely), Peter Moylan (less likely) and Paco Rodriguez (least likely).

We touch on the Dodgers' two new international signings (Bernardo Reyes and Jesus Canivales). Jared also redid his Top 20 prospect list because he "hated" his first incarnation of it.

Finally, we close with listener questions. Some pretty good ones, including a gaming one that gets us off on a predictable tangent.

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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (ladugout@gmail.com or feelinkindablue@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@Dodger_Diamond or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Dodgers have some tough decisions to make about opening day roster

The Dodgers have 38 players remaining in Major League camp after releasing reliever Mark Lowe on Sunday. The number has to be down to 25 by the time the Dodgers open the season on April 1 at Dodger Stadium against the Giants.

There are clearly locks for the roster (Kemp, Kershaw, et al), and some who weren't locks just as recently as a couple weeks ago (Uribe).

There are still some decisions to make regarding the first 25 -- the biggest of which being Yasiel Puig.

There are also decisions to be made about the bullpen and the Dodgers' excess starting pitchers.

The locks

Catcher (2/2)
A.J. Ellis
Tim Federowicz

Infield (5/5)
Luis Cruz
Mark Ellis
Adrian Gonzalez
Nick Punto 
Hanley Ramirez (DL)
Juan Uribe

Outfield (4/6)
Andre Ethier
Jerry Hairston
Matt Kemp
Skip Schumaker

Starting pitcher (5/5)
Josh Beckett
Chad Billingsley
Zack Greinke
Clayton Kershaw
Ted Lilly (DL)
Hyun-Jin Ryu

Relief pitcher (5/7)
Ronald Belisario
Chris Capuano
J.P. Howell
Kenley Jansen
Brandon League

There are only a few spots still up for contention. A couple spots in the bullpen and a couple spots on the bench.

With Ramirez's injury, Uribe (unfortunately) becomes a lock, as Cruz will move to shortstop from third base. My preference is for Dee Gordon to get a shot at shortstop and to keep Cruz at third while Ramirez is out. That doesn't appear too likely at this point.

The big question comes in the outfield. While all signs point to Carl Crawford being ready for April 1, I'm still not convinced. Oh, and there's the Puig question. When spring training started, there was virtually no chance of Puig breaking camp with the team. Now, it's a legitimate question, even if folks in the know think he's destined for Double-A.

Also, Alex Castellanos was vying for the 25th-man spot before Puig took off. He could still get a shot, especially if Crawford is ready on time.

My guess: Crawford and Castellanos make the team.

In the bullpen, the Dodgers have a couple spots to fill. At this point, I have Capuano making the 'pen as a long reliever, making Howell the only situational lefty available. That gives Paco Rodriguez a better chance to make the club. Scott Elbert isn't fully recovered from his two winter surgeries, also giving Rodriguez a good shot of making the club.

As for non-roster invitees, Kevin Gregg and Peter Moylan are the only two remaining. The Dodgers seem to have a non-roster invitee -- usually a reliever -- make the squad.

• Gregg's line: 9 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 HR 0 BB, 4 K
• Moylan's line: 7 1/3 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 3 HR, 4 BB, 8 K

If we're going off spring training stats (which we shouldn't), Gregg is the clear winner. However, Moylan has better numbers in the regular season. But Moylan has thrown just 13 1/3 innings in the last two season -- combined. I don't think both pitchers make the squad, though.

The Dodgers could do something surprising and go with Josh Wall, who has struck out 12 batters in 10 1/3 spring innings. But that probably won't happen.

My guess: Rodriguez and Moylan get the nod to fill out the bullpen.

As for Aaron Harang, I really think he's traded or designated for assignment by opening day. He seems like the worst fit of the Dodgers' surplus of starters to pitch out of the bullpen.

Here's hoping a team steps up and makes a play for Harang. even a fringy reliever prospect would be just fine.

Portion of Ramirez's salary to be paid by WBC

Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday the World Baseball Classic will be responsible for Hanley Ramirez's salary while he's on the disabled list.

Once player misses 30 days, salary for missed time covered in full. Also, he can be covered if injured during WBC, then suffers re-injury.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 25, 2013

For the pre-2012 Dodgers, this would have been great. For a team projected to have a $230-plus million payroll, it doesn't really matter much. It's at least a "nice" consolation for losing Ramirez for two months.

First mock draft of 2013

John Sickels at Minor League Ball posted his first 2013 mock draft on Saturday. Sickels alternated picks with Matt Garrioch, a writer fro the site. Garrioch had the Dodgers' pick and mocked RHP Dustin Driver from Wenatchee High School (Wash.) at No. 19.

"The Dodgers have went a different direction under their new ownership but due to the new basic agreement spending restrictions, I don't see it changing their philosophy in the draft. Jon Crawford could join his Florida teammate quickly if they would go that direction. Ryan Boldt is a name worth considering here as is currently injured Austin Wilson. Reese McGuire could be an intriguing pick here, as they really have no catching depth but that could actually hinder him if they would rush him just because they lack depth and that urge would be there. I think I will go with a local high school arm in Dustin Driver, RHP, California HS"

Driver is 6'2, 210 pounds with a solid fastball for a prep pitcher (91-93 MPH, touches 94). Some view him as a relief prospect because he lacks consistent secondary offerings. But he fits the Logan White profile: high schooler with projectable frame and a quality fastball. Here's a video of him at a high school showcase in San Diego.

The draft is less than three months away. Looking forward to it.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers sign Mark Lowe and move Chris Withrow, Pedro Baez to the 'pen

The Dodgers and Mark Lowe had basically been dancing around for a couple weeks and finally came to an agreement on Friday.

If Lowe makes the team as a non-roster invitee, he'll earn a $1.5 million base salary. With incentives, he could earn $2.1 million.

Lowe's 2012, despite a nice ERA (3.43), didn't really pitch all that well. His 4.32 FIP was on the high side and his groundball rate dipped considerably compared to his career rate. Despite giving up just five home runs, he did so in 39 1/3 innings, for a HR/FB rate of 9.4 percent, which is just average.

Lowe is much more effective against right-handed hitters than lefties in his career:

• vs. RHP: .234/.309/.330, six home runs allowed in 615 plate appearances
• vs. LHP: .287/.361/.504, 22 home runs allowed in 534 plate appearances

The data suggest Lowe should be a ROOGY, if he even makes the team. The Dodgers already have a potentially full bullpen, as well as a guy like Peter Moylan, who is also a non-roster invitee.

This is a low-risk signing for the Dodgers. If Lowe is right, he could be a nice weapon against righties out of the bullpen.

Baez and Withrow now relievers

The Dodgers moved two prospects to the bullpen this week. One is former first-round pick Chris Withrow. The big righty out of Texas, who was once among the Dodgers' best prospects, has not been able to find the strike zone consistently enough as a starter. He pitched in relief last year and had better success.

Withrow has a mid-to-high-90s fastball that, if he can locate it, will do great out of the bullpen. He pairs a slider with the potentially plus fastball. He also has a changeup that is seldom used and he's all but scrapped his curveball.

The more interesting move -- and it's been a long time coming -- is Pedro Baez moving to the bullpen. To be more specific, he's moving from third base to the mound. He's following the career path of Kenley Jansen (even though he was a catcher) and has the arm strength to do it.

Baez was once, reportedly, clocked at 94 MPH across the diamond -- from third to first base. If the Dodger minor-league pitching coaches can get him to harness that arm talent and develop even a fringy-average secondary offering, he could be a nice piece. However, he could be a few years off. He's already 25, so he's four years behind Jansen in that regard.

One thing's for sure: the Dodgers have no shortage of right-handed, power relievers in the minors.

Photo credits

Lowe: Keith Allison, Flickr

Withrow: SD Dirk, Flickr

Scott Elbert undergoes second elbow surgery, plus other Dodgers' news

Dodgers' reliever Scott Elbert on Wednesday underwent his second elbow surgery in four months.

He isn't expected to begin throwing until early March, making his availability for Opening Day all but out of the question. And being his second surgery in such a short period of time, I'm skeptical he'll pitch much in 2013.

It's too bad because his live arm from the left side is something the Dodgers could always use. But perhaps this is an opportunity for Paco Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2012, was the first player from his draft class to reach the majors and could benefit from the Elbert injury.

However, he'll have his work cut out for him as the Dodgers have an overcrowded bullpen at this point:

Locks
Ronald Belisario
Matt Guerrier
J.P. Howell
Kenley Jansen
Brandon League
- Barring injury, all these guys will make the Opening Day bullpen.

Maybes
Javy Guerra
Rodriguez
Shawn Tolleson
- All three have options, meaning they can (and probably will) begin the season in the minors.

Non-roster invitees
Juan Abreu
Kelvin De La Cruz
Peter Moylan
Matt Palmer
- Moylan has the best chance of this quartet, but that chance isn't high.

Longshots
Steve Ames
Josh Wall
- A lot would have to go right (wrong?) for either to make the bullpen.

Starters
Chris Capuano
Aaron Harang
Ted Lilly
- Capuano and Harang could (and should) still be dealt before the start of the season, while I'm skeptical of Lilly's shoulder.

Rodriguez is facing stiff competition. The addition of Howell was a blow to Rodriguez's chances. If Lilly is healthy enough to pitch, then he's really out of luck. Perhaps he won't begin the season in the majors, but he will get there sometime in 2013. The experience for him would be invaluable and it's a cost-effective move for the Dodgers.

Minor-league free agents

Speaking of Moylan, he's one of two guys the Dodgers have inked to minor-league deals in the last week-plus. The other is Jesus Flores, a catcher.

When I first saw the Dodgers signed Flores, I was somewhat excited. I remembered him from Washington and thought he could be a nice little pickup.

Then I looked at his 2011 and 2012 numbers:

• .212/.249/.325 in 113 games

Yikes.

I'm not the biggest fan of Tim Federowicz, but I'm sure the 25-year-old could post better numbers and be better with the glove than Flores. Unless Flores has a big Spring Training, he'll either be minor-league depth or a free agent come early April.

Moylan, who's thrown just 13 1/3 innings the last two seasons, has some solid career numbers -- 2.59 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 7.6 H/9, 7.1 K/9 -- so it stands to reason, with a hot spring, that he could make the team.

Dodgers on the verge of record TV deal

The Dodgers have reportedly agreed to a deal with Time Warner Cable to broadcast their games. The price: $7 to $8 billion.

Wow.

The final price has yet to be determined and duration of the deal is unknown, but I'd be shocked if it was any less than 25 years.

On the conservative side ($7 billion, 25 years), the Dodgers stand to make $280 million per season on the deal. The team is getting about $40 million from Fox, a deal that expires after this season.

Remember all those people after the sale of the team saying "Are they going to have enough money to spend on players?"I think this answers that question once and for all.

BA's Top 10 Dodger prospects drops Friday

Baseball America releases its Top 10 Dodgers prospects on Friday. Here's my prediction for the list:

1. Yasiel Puig
2. Zach Lee
3. Corey Seager
4. Hyun-Jin Ryu
5. Chris Reed
6. Joc Pederson
7. Onelki Garcia
8. Ross Stripling
9. Chris Withrow
10. Jesmuel Valentin

Update: Apparently, the list is already out in some places. Here's how it looks:

1. Ryu
2. Puig
3. Seager
4. Pederson
5. Lee
6. Reed
7. Garcia
8. Rodriguez
9. Matt Magill
10. Stripling

I wanted to include Magill on my prediction list, but I wasn't sure BA would give him credit as he was a 31st-round draft pick. The publication tends to favor higher draft picks, hence the Withrow inclusion on my list.

Ryu at No. 1 will surprise some folks. Lee at No. 5 surprises me more than anything, actually. I didn't think his 2012 season was bad enough to warrant a drop like that, despite the additions of Puig and Seager.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Eric Stephen, True Blue LA