Surprising Dugout Decision: Los Angeles Dodgers Execute Unexpected Team Action
Fresh Take on Dodgers Dugout:
Hey there, fellow Dodger fans! Welcome to today's newsletter, brought to you by none other than yours truly—Houston Mitchell. Mohammed Al-Aidroos here to deliver the latest Dodgers-related intel.
So, let's dive in! The Dodgers made a curious move earlier this week. They designated catcher Austin Barnes for assignment and called up Dalton Rushing from the minors. This means the Dodgers have seven days to either place Barnes on waivers, trade him, or release him.
Barnes has been part of the Dodgers family since 2015, second only to Clayton Kershaw in terms of current tenure. Originally drafted by the Marlins in 2011 and traded to the Dodgers in 2014, Barnes' first season with the team was also the inception of this very newsletter.
Barnes' 2017 season was his most productive offensively, batting .289/.408/.486 with 15 doubles, eight homers, and 38 RBIs in 262 plate appearances as a backup for Yasmani Grandal. Defensively, he excelled in pitch calling, pitch framing, and blocking pitches in the dirt.
However, Barnes' offensive production has waned lately, hitting below .260 since 2021. This, coupled with deteriorating defense and the Dodgers struggling offensively towards the bottom of the lineup, made it challenging to justify giving Will Smith more than one day off a week.
It's a surprising move, but perhaps we should remember that the Dodgers traded fan-favorite A.J. Ellis despite Kershaw's close relationship with the man. Now, one can't help but wonder if Chris Taylor is feeling a little uneasy given Hyeseong Kim's stellar play. With Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman coming back, we're in for some crucial roster decisions!
Speaking of the big man, Clayton Kershaw is set to return to the rotation against the Angels this Saturday. It's always a pleasure to have him back on the mound. Kershaw is one of the two greatest Dodgers pitchers, alongside Sandy Koufax, and we're figuring out if he'll still be spinning gems for us this season.
In other news, Roki Sasaki was placed on the IL due to a right shoulder impingement. There's always an adjustment period for Japanese pitchers transitioning to Major League Baseball, and Sasaki is no exception. His return date is uncertain, and we'll take a closer look at the unique challenges faced by these cross-continental players.
Stay tuned as we continue to dissect the Dodgers' roster,/ catch up on the latest news, and keep you informed on all things Dodger!
Kershaw's Back, Baby!
Speaking of Kershaw, he's making one heck of a comeback this Saturday against the Angels. Who knows what to expect? But one thing's for sure—it's just great to have him back out there on the mound.
Kershaw stands tall among the greatest Dodgers pitchers, neck and neck with the legendary Sandy Koufax. While battered by injuries in recent seasons, Kershaw still managed to deliver solid performances. In 2022, his ERA+ was 177, meaning he was 77% better than the league average pitcher.
With renewed vigor and possibly his last season ahead, let's savor every Kershaw start this season!
It's All Hands on Deck: 2020 Champions still Pitching for the Blue
Ten players from the 2020 World Series championship team are still on the Dodgers roster. Mookie Betts, Tony Gonsolin, Brusdar Graterol, Kiké Hernández, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Chris Taylor, and Blake Treinen—they're all still fighting Blue! Name them all! Clue: They won it all for LA!
- The Dodgers have players who have been with the team for quite some time, with Austin Barnes having the second-longest tenure, only behind Clayton Kershaw.
- The move to designate catcher Austin Barnes for assignment opens up roster decisions, as the Dodgers have seven days to either place him on waivers, trade him, or release him.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers' roster continues to be a topic of discussion, especially with Kershaw's comeback this Saturday and the return of Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman.
- Dodgers fans will be looking forward to Kershaw's start against the Angels this Saturday, as he aims to deliver solid performances, much like the legendary Sandy Koufax.
