There isn’t much happening in the Giants world and I’m not sure I’ve blogged this month, so let’s talk about the NL West favorite Los Angeles Dodgers, whom have reported for camp duties. You’ll remember that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks have a two-game series in Australia that will take place on Saturday, March 22nd, United States time. As the Dodgers get ready, here’s what we’re being told over social media:
On Chad Billingsley, forgotten pitcher by most other NL West fans:
Chad Billingsley, coming off Tommy John surgery, said he’s thrown nine bullpen sessions without a setback.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 8, 2014
Good news for the Dodgers as they increase their rotation depth, and it looks to be of a higher quality than in 2013. Add another left-handed pitcher to the mix in…
Paul Maholm has a locker in the Dodgers clubhouse.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 8, 2014
…Mr. Paul Maholm, whose stats really aren’t too awful for a Major League deal, it’s a wonder how he got scooped up by the Dodgers on a Minor League deal. Had other teams known that’s how they could have had Maholm, surely other teams (e.g., Giants) would have been in on that. Manager Don Mattingly isn’t commenting on the Maholm deal, but doesn’t anticipate changes in the 40-man roster, per beat reporters.
A.J. Ellis, clubhouse comedian, and also possibly in the Best Shape of His Life:
A.J. Ellis said he lost 15 pounds this winter.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 8, 2014
A.J. Ellis said he dropped weight because he wants to catch 120-125 games this year.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 8, 2014
A.J. Ellis, to me, about his diet: “I can talk to you about it.”
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 8, 2014
For those unaware, Dylan Hernandez and one of the beat writers of the Giants, Hank Schulman, normally take jabs at each other over weight issues. All in good fun.
On the starting pitchers in Australia:
Don Mattingly stopped short of naming Australia starters. Kershaw, Greinke likely, but Ryu & Haren will be ready too just in case
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) February 8, 2014
Barring any injury, I think it’s pretty safe to assume Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, and having Hyun-jin Ryu and Dan Haren ready in your bullpen isn’t too bad for a two-game series.
As for Matt Kemp, coming off of ankle surgery:
Mattingly said it doesn’t look like Matt Kemp will be ready for Australia. but said can’t rule him out.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 8, 2014
A healthy Matt Kemp is great for baseball, but bad for opponents of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That’s all the updates that came in recently. Now we await the complaints of everybody for the regular season to begin.
