This is Kenley Jansen

I would not have re-signed Kenley Jansen and I said so at the time.  It’s not that I don’t like him, but he is fully capable of blowing a game and he’s expensive. Let me remind you that the Astros won the World Series without a good dominant closer.  It surprised me that FAZ re-signed Kenley, but they did.  Maybe they HAD to re-sign him for the fans… who knows? Actually, it played out pretty good in 2017, until the World Series Meltdown. It can be argued that if Kenley had not melted down in the Series, the Dodgers would have won.

You can blame last night’s meltdown (and it was absolutely a meltdown) on the Dodgers holding him out for a while in the Spring, but then his hamstring held him back.  His velocity was down in his first appearance of the year, but was close to normal last night.  He had two outs and a 1-2 count on the hitter when he suddenly became wild and walked two batters and then he committed a cardinal sin:  He grooved the first pitch to Owings, who was ready, willing and able to jack one over the wall.

You can question Roberts only pitching Stripling one inning, but the game was really lost when Kenley tore out the Dodgers hearts.  The Baseball Gods usually make sure the right team wins.  The D-Bags deserved it! Last season was magical for Kenley – he blew one save (World Series not withstanding), but the year before he blew 6.  You can probably expect about the same thing this year.

I like Kenley – and I better, because we are stuck with him.  He’s not superman, but last night’s loss was 100% mental. The fault was between his ears.  I felt he simply was not intense… he tends to be that way.  It’s part of his character.  Sometimes you just need to slap him in the bullpen to get him fired up.  Sometimes he seems indifferent in his attitude and deameanor. If Roberts made a mistake, it was leaving him in after he walked two batters with 2 outs, but that’s purely a second guess and easy to say now.

The Dodgers need to be grooming another closer in case Kenley is suffering from TNS or Tom Niedenfuer Syndrome, as DC calls it! There are candidates:  Santana and Buehler come to mind… but both are starters, so there is that! If Kenley melts down physically (or mentally), who is the closer? That is an issure that may have to be addressed, but I am rooting for the Big Guy!

Overall, the Dodgers broke out of their hitting slump, but they stranded 28 runners with 19 hits and 8 walks. Forsythe, Bellinger, Grandal and Seager are looking comfortable and not pressing.  Joc even got two hits. It was still a bitter loss. It is rumored that the effects of such a long game left Alex Wood with brain-damage as evidenced by his picture below:

Minor League Rosters (complements of Dodgers.com)

GREAT LAKES LOONS ROSTER

 
Managers & Coaches
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status
12 John Shoemaker Manager 08-18-1956 Active
24 Jair Fernandez Hitting Coach R R 6′ 1″ 220 12-10-1986 Active
19 Bobby Cuellar Pitching Coach R R 5′ 11″ 188 08-20-1952 Active
16 Seth Conner Coach R R 6′ 2″ 205 01-29-1992 Active
Pitchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
23 James Carter P R R 6′ 3″ 185 03-10-1994 Active No
31 Max Gamboa P R R 6′ 4″ 180 11-22-1995 Active No
15 Austin Hamilton P L L 6′ 0″ 185 08-11-1993 Active No
41 Devin Hemmerich P R L 6′ 1″ 195 07-11-1995 Active No
46 Dan Jagiello P R R 6′ 3″ 180 05-23-1995 Active No
29 Melvin Jimenez P S R 6′ 0″ 170 07-23-1999 Active No
50 Marshall Kasowski P L R 6′ 3″ 215 03-10-1995 Active No
36 Wills Montgomerie P R R 6′ 3″ 205 06-02-1995 Active No
11 Riley Ottesen P R R 6′ 1″ 185 10-30-1994 Active No
10 Zach Pop P R R 6′ 4″ 220 09-20-1996 Active No
45 Andre Scrubb P R R 6′ 4″ 265 01-13-1995 Active No
14 Edwin Uceta P R R 6′ 0″ 155 01-09-1998 Active No
J.D. Underwood P L R 6′ 2″ 215 09-02-1992 Restricted No
9 Jesus Vargas P R R 6′ 2″ 175 08-18-1998 Active No
32 Aneurys Zabala P R R 6′ 2″ 175 12-21-1996 Active No
Catchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
44 Garrett Hope C R R 6′ 3″ 245 12-27-1993 Active No
13 Ramon Rodriguez C R R 5′ 11″ 185 10-30-1998 Active No
Infielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
5 Marcus Chiu 2B R R 6′ 1″ 190 01-13-1997 Active No
8 Zach McKinstry 3B L R 6′ 0″ 180 04-29-1995 Active No
6 Brandon Montgomery 3B R R 6′ 0″ 180 02-12-1996 Active No
35 Moises Perez 2B R R 6′ 0″ 160 07-18-1997 Active No
30 Gersel Pitre 3B R R 6′ 0″ 203 07-23-1996 Active No
3 Jared Walker 1B L R 6′ 2″ 195 02-04-1996 Active No
33 Nick Yarnall 1B L L 6′ 0″ 200 10-17-1994 Active No
Outfielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
25 Romer Cuadrado RF R R 6′ 4″ 185 09-12-1997 Active No
22 Starling Heredia RF R R 6′ 2″ 200 02-06-1999 Active No
1 Brayan Morales CF R L 6′ 1″ 170 12-08-1995 Active No
7 Zach Reks RF L R 6′ 2″ 190 11-12-1993 Active No
Designated Hitter
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
40 Carlos Rincon DH R R 6′ 3″ 190 10-14-1997 Active No

RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES ROSTER

 

Managers & Coaches
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status
22 Justin Viele Hitting Coach R R 5′ 11″ 185 11-13-1990 Active
7 Drew Saylor Manager R R 6′ 0″ 195 01-09-1984 Active
24 Pedro Montero Coach S R 5′ 8″ 185 09-28-1985 Active
15 Connor McGuinness Pitching Coach L L 6′ 2″ 195 10-22-1989 Active
Pitchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
41 Imani Abdullah P R R 6′ 4″ 205 04-20-1997 Active No
23 Stetson Allie P R R 6′ 2″ 230 03-13-1991 Active No
18 Isaac Anderson P R R 6′ 2″ 185 09-04-1993 Active No
10 Parker Curry P R R 6′ 0″ 185 11-21-1993 Active No
16 Tony Gonsolin P R R 6′ 2″ 180 05-14-1994 Active No
49 Andrew Istler P R R 5′ 11″ 175 09-18-1992 Active No
17 Dean Kremer P R R 6′ 3″ 180 01-07-1996 Active No
47 Nolan Long P R R 6′ 10″ 255 01-19-1994 Active No
27 Chris Mathewson P L R 6′ 1″ 200 05-26-1995 Active No
48 Ryan Moseley P R R 6′ 3″ 190 10-06-1994 Active No
13 Jason Richman P L L 6′ 4″ 210 10-15-1993 Active No
31 Jordan Sheffield P R R 5′ 10″ 190 06-01-1995 Active No
12 Andrew Sopko P R R 6′ 2″ 205 08-07-1994 Active No
Catchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
29 Steve Berman C R R 6′ 2″ 225 11-28-1994 Active No
50 Hamlet Marte C R R 5′ 10″ 180 02-03-1994 Active No
33 Connor Wong C R R 6′ 1″ 181 05-19-1996 Active No
Infielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
25 Rylan Bannon 3B R R 5′ 10″ 180 04-22-1996 Active No
21 Omar Estevez SS R R 5′ 10″ 168 02-25-1998 Active No
36 Ibandel Isabel 1B R R 6′ 4″ 225 06-20-1995 Active No
14 Gavin Lux SS L R 6′ 2″ 190 11-23-1997 Active No
5 Cristian Santana 3B R R 6′ 2″ 175 02-24-1997 Active No
Outfielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
19 Donovan Casey RF R R 6′ 2″ 190 02-23-1996 Active No
9 Saige Jenco LF L L 5′ 10″ 185 08-07-1994 Active No
3 Jeren Kendall CF L R 6′ 0″ 190 02-04-1996 Active No
6 Logan Landon LF R R 6′ 2″ 180 02-17-1993 Active No
30 Cody Thomas CF L R 6′ 4″ 211 10-08-1994 Active No

TULSA DRILLERS ROSTER

 
Managers & Coaches
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status
5 Peter Summerville Technology/Development Coach R R 6′ 2″ 195 01-10-1992 Active
39 Terrmel Sledge Hitting Coach L L 6′ 0″ 185 03-18-1977 Active
46 Scott Hennessey Manager R R 6′ 0″ 165 07-18-1970 Active
26 Leo Garcia Coach L L 5′ 8″ 160 11-06-1962 Active
51 Dave Borkowski Pitching Coach R R 6′ 1″ 230 02-07-1977 Active
Pitchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
Yadier Alvarez P R R 6′ 3″ 175 03-07-1996 Active No
30 Dylan Baker P R R 6′ 2″ 205 04-06-1992 Active Yes
13 Corey Copping P R R 6′ 1″ 175 01-11-1994 Active No
36 Emmanuel De Leon P S R 6′ 1″ 175 12-25-1990 Active No
37 Justin DeFratus P S R 6′ 4″ 225 10-21-1987 Active No
Caleb Ferguson P R L 6′ 3″ 215 07-02-1996 Active No
3 Michael Johnson P L L 6′ 1″ 185 01-03-1991 Active No
32 Karch Kowalczyk P R R 6′ 1″ 215 03-31-1991 Active No
Jesus Liranzo P R R 6′ 2″ 175 03-07-1995 Active Yes
12 Dennis Santana P R R 6′ 2″ 160 04-12-1996 Active Yes
27 Josh Sborz P R R 6′ 3″ 225 12-17-1993 Active No
14 Devin Smeltzer P R L 6′ 3″ 195 09-07-1995 Active No
7 Shea Spitzbarth P R R 6′ 1″ 195 10-04-1994 Active No
Catchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
25 Keibert Ruiz C S R 6′ 0″ 200 07-20-1998 Active No
10 Will Smith C R R 6′ 0″ 192 03-28-1995 Active No
Infielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
1 Mike Ahmed SS R R 6′ 2″ 195 01-20-1992 Active No
19 Wes Darvill 3B L R 6′ 2″ 190 09-10-1991 Active No
15 Drew Jackson 2B R R 6′ 2″ 200 07-28-1993 Active No
23 Connor Joe 3B R R 6′ 0″ 205 08-16-1992 Active No
18 Angelo Mora SS S R 5′ 11″ 150 02-25-1993 Active No
35 Peter O’Brien 1B R R 6′ 4″ 235 07-15-1990 Active No
28 Errol Robinson SS R R 6′ 0″ 180 10-01-1994 Active No
Outfielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
24 Kyle Garlick LF R R 6′ 1″ 210 01-26-1992 Active No
31 DJ Peters CF R R 6′ 6″ 225 12-12-1995 Active No
11 Luke Raley LF L R 6′ 3″ 220 09-19-1994 Active No
21 Jacob Scavuzzo LF R R 6′ 4″ 185 01-15-1994 Active No

OKLAHOMA CITY DODGERS ROSTER

 
Managers & Coaches
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status
Bill Simas Pitching Coach L R 5′ 7″ 185 11-28-1971 Active
Adam Melhuse Hitting Coach S R 6′ 2″ 210 03-27-1972 Active
32 Luis Matos Coach R R 6′ 2″ 210 10-30-1978 Active
33 Bill Haselman Manager R R 6′ 3″ 215 05-25-1966 Active
Pitchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
Manny Banuelos P R L 5′ 10″ 215 03-13-1991 Active No
30 Joe Broussard P R R 6′ 1″ 220 01-28-1991 Active No
Walker Buehler P R R 6′ 2″ 175 07-28-1994 Active Yes
Jordan Jankowski P R R 6′ 1″ 225 05-17-1989 Active No
C.C. Lee P R R 5′ 11″ 190 10-21-1986 Active No
Adam Liberatore P L L 6′ 3″ 243 05-12-1987 Active Yes
Zach Neal P R R 6′ 3″ 220 11-09-1988 Active No
Henry Owens P L L 6′ 6″ 220 07-21-1992 Active Yes
Edward Paredes P L L 6′ 0″ 180 09-30-1986 Active Yes
Cesar Ramos P L L 6′ 2″ 200 06-22-1984 Active No
55 Yaisel Sierra P R R 6′ 1″ 170 06-05-1991 Active No
Brock Stewart P L R 6′ 3″ 210 10-03-1991 Active Yes
Pat Venditte P L S 6′ 1″ 185 06-30-1985 Active No
Catchers
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
Rocky Gale C R R 6′ 1″ 185 02-22-1988 Active No
Shawn Zarraga C S R 6′ 0″ 240 01-21-1989 Active No
Infielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
Tim Locastro 2B R R 6′ 1″ 200 07-14-1992 Active Yes
13 Max Muncy 3B L R 6′ 0″ 210 08-25-1990 Active No
Jake Peter 2B L R 6′ 1″ 185 04-05-1993 Active No
24 Edwin Rios 1B L R 6′ 3″ 220 04-21-1994 Active No
Rob Segedin 3B R R 6′ 2″ 220 11-10-1988 Active Yes
Donovan Solano 2B R R 5′ 10″ 205 12-17-1987 Active No
Outfielders
# Name Pos Bat Thw Ht Wt DOB Status MLB 40-man
11 Henry Ramos RF S R 6′ 2″ 220 04-15-1992 Active No
Travis Taijeron RF R R 6′ 2″ 224 01-20-1989 Active No
Andrew Toles LF L R 5′ 9″ 192 05-24-1992 Active Yes
Alex Verdugo CF L L 6′ 0″ 205 05-15-1996 Active Yes

Update:

DODGERS SELECT CONTRACT OF ZACH NEAL

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Zach Neal (#49) from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed right-handed pitcher Josh Fields on the paternity list.

Neal, 29, was a non-roster invitee in this year’s camp with the Dodgers and appeared in three Cactus League games (one start) with Los Angeles, recording one save and posting a 7.20 ERA (4 ER/5.0 IP), while striking out four without issuing a walk. In 2017, Neal spent the majority of the season with the Oakland Athletics’ Triple-A Nashville, going 4-8 with a 4.82 ERA (53 ER/99.0 IP) in 21 games (16 start) and punched out 43 batters against 10 walks. He made two stints with the Athletics last year, allowing 13 runs in 14.2 innings (7.98 ERA) in six relief appearances.

The Columbia, South Carolina, native, who enters his first season with the Dodgers, spent the past five years with the Athletics’ organization. In two big league seasons with Oakland (2016-17), he has gone 2-4 with two saves, a 4.89 ERA (46 ER/84.2 IP) and a 1.16 WHIP in 30 career games (six starts). He has struck out 37 batters against just seven walks in 84.2 Major League innings, posting a 5.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 0.74 walks per nine innings. In 174 career minor league games (154 starts), he has gone 56-56 with a 3.84 ERA and has struck out 594 batters against just 175 walks in 923.2 innings over eight professional seasons with the Marlins (2010-12) and the Athletics (2013-17).

Neal was originally selected by the Marlins in the 17th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.

In three relief appearances this season, Fields has tossed 3.0 scoreless innings and has struck out four without issuing a walk. Fields and his wife, Brittney, are expecting their first child.

In order to create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-handed pitcher Jesus Liranzo for assignment.

 

This article has 35 Comments

  1. I certainly hope Kenley can get caught up mentally and physically. Home runs must really play with a pitcher’s confidence. Naturally, when things go south I often think of an undisclosed injury, perhaps with the arm.
    .
    Minor league rosters are interesting as always. A number of interesting names, especially pitchers, still not assigned – Mitchell White, Dustin May, Matt Jones, Sven Schuller, Leo Crawford, Yuisniel Diaz among others. Pitchers most likely in extended ST.
    .
    Still am unable to determine why right-hander JD Underwood is once again on the Loons restricted list. There has never been any news of TJ surgery. He is also a bit old to be on a LDS or other mission now as those usually are taken right out of high school such as Riley Ottesen did.

  2. So, I have now heard that Kenley was c aught on camera rubbing his shoulder after the game.

    Hummmm…

    As usual, the morons are putting the loss on Dave Roberts mismanagement… He is psychic and should have known the game was going to go 15 innings afterall.

    1. Mark, no I don’t put the loss on Roberts but I will blame him, in my opinion, for a few poor decisions. Why pull Stripling when you know Font is your last pitcher in the pen? why use your last bench player( Farmer) just to come up and try to bunt? Stripling could have tried the bunt and still been in the game with Font still in the pen and Farmer still on the bench.
      In game two against the giants, why use Jansen in a non – save situation with the score tied, if he had gotten through the ninth the Dodgers would have needed a closer if they had regained the lead. Roberts is a great communicator and a good manager but in my opinion, he is far from a great manager.
      I don’t consider my self a moron, just a fan who has a different take on some games.

      1. If the Dodgers had regained the lead in game 2 vs. SF, they would have won the game as they were the home team, and thus no closer would have been needed.

        That’s why managers often use closers in the top of the 9 of a tie game.

  3. Hopefully, Kenley is still getting his body game ready since, as you said, he had a shortened spring. Best thing about being so early in a season is that if you screw up, it doesn’t really matter.

  4. Kenley must be injured. He has zero swing and miss stuff right about now. If he is, better take care of it now and not wait too long.

    Looking forward to watching all these minor league teams on my new MiLB.tv account this year!

  5. for anybody who was wondering what the world series hangover would look like, feast your eyes on this first week

  6. While the team spins its wheels, what are the internal options available to help us down the road?

    OF–Toles & Verdugo offer potential to be spark plugs upon their [inevitable] call-ups.
    IF–Turner will be back. Let’s be honest: he’s our best hitter.
    C–None really needed with three solid options already on the 25 man roster.
    SP–Buehler could be next man up, though Font might’ve put his name back in the hat. Stewart an option too.
    RP–Liberatore, Yimi, etc.

    The guys we have will have time to reestablish themselves, but in case they don’t, we do have some options in-house.

    Toles & Buehler I can see adding a boost of energy when the times comes.

  7. A few thoughts…

    1 – The point of spring training is to get the team ready for the season. The Dodgers didn’t get the job done if Jansen, who only pitched 2 or 3 times this spring, isn’t ready for the season. The 2 losses Jansen directly caused are just as important in April as in September;
    2 – Ryu had a bad Spring and a bad 1st start. It’s just one game of course, but i don’t have confidence in him. Buehler better get ready;
    3 – Will the Dodgers option someone in the ‘pen with options left (not Font) or employ the 10 day “I’m not disabled” list to bring someone up with a fresh arm?
    4 – Dodgers not really hitting great yet. Grandal and Puig in sync so far. Again, players not ready due to spring training of not playing?
    5 – If Jansen is really hurt, take some time away and get right.

  8. Ken Gurnick

    @kengurnick

    Joc Pederson said he was warming up between innings to be the emergency reliever if last night’s game reached 16 innings. Rich Hill, who was watching, said Pederson has a good change up. Pederson said that was his fastball.

    1. Rowen and Martin, Smothers Brothers, Abbott and Costello, Hill and Pederson,…

  9. Dodgers have called up Zach Neal from OKC. To make room on the 40 man roster have DFA’d Liranzo. To make room on 25 man roster, Fields was place on paternity list.

  10. Alexander is the modern day Don Stanhouse. Didn’t Earl Weaver call Stanhouse “three pack” because his pitching forced Weaver to smoke three packs each time he pitched.

    1. He had a 1.3 Whip last year because he walks too many guys. From what I saw during ST and so far this year I expect it to be a issue.

  11. El Gasalino!! Right on time, burn it down baby!! The Dominican Hatcher. Feel like it’s groundhog day.

    1. I could easily make a case that he had no business being brought into that situation.

  12. Which will be higher – the number of players we sign/release, or our total number of wins?

  13. This is what i posted on 3/24 about Scott Alexander:
    “I have been worried about Alexander this spring too. I haven’t had a chance to see him pitch but the numbers don’t look good. Alexander was 27 last year, his 1st full season in the majors. He has a career WHIP of over 1.3, not great for a late-inning reliever. His career GB rates are not consistent with what he did last year (in an admittedly small sample size). And he was not placed in many high-leverage situations with KC last year – check out his numbers at Baseball Reference.com.”
    https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alexasc02-pitch.shtml

    A high WHIP is not a good sign for a short reliever. The control is not good. Not so far anyway.

Comments are closed.