Los Angeles Dodgers News, Notes, Tidbits on Lone Spring Off Day

The Dodgers are off today, and we’re still waiting on the results of Hyun-jin Ryu’s shoulder examination. Adrian was talking the other day about the possibility of rotator cuff surgery, which is frightening. I would think that would be a worst case scenario. I hope it doesn’t come to that, and I don’t think it will. It’s probably just sore, as it was last year. So we’re likely looking at losing Ryu for the first month of the season. It sucks, but the Dodgers will survive. In case I am wrong, pray anyways.

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This is the lone off day the Dodgers will get this spring. So with the Dodgers idle today, let’s take a look around the interwebs at some of the latest Dodger tidbits.

Ken Rosenthal sits down for an eye opening interview with shortstop Jimmy Rollins. They talk about the tough time he had transitioning from the NLCS enemy of Philadelphia to wearing Dodger Blue. Apparently Rollins was an Oakland fan and was bitter about the Dodgers beating the A’s in the 1988 World Series. There’s talk about the back-back NLCS losses in 2008-2009, and they talk about his time in Philadelphia. It’s a very solid interview, with a very solid player.

Apparently J.P. Hoornstra reports that Alex Guerrero played with Pablo Fernandez in Cuba and remembers him well. He reports the Cuban right hander has good stuff, control, and a nice attitude.

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I guess Kiley McDaniel from Fangraphs tweets that one international scout wasn’t impressed with Fernandez’s stuff. The scout called his stuff unimpressive and referred to him as a back end starter. I can still remember when Keith Law said that Ryu’s stuff wasn’t impressive and that he was a back end type of a starter. Sometimes the scouts can get it wrong.

The Dodgers are reportedly going to switch Fernandez from a reliever to a starter. One scout reported that Fernandez’s stuff looked more like Odrisamer Despaigne. He won’t be an ace the scout reports, but he could be a solid contributor to the Dodger’s staff. For 8 million dollars that’s good enough for me. He also has a knuckleball in his arsenal, which is undeniably awesome. We haven’t seen a true knuckleball since the days of Tom Candiotti.

Take a look at Eric Stephen’s updated spring roster chart. After the Dodgers optioned Daniel Coulombe, Kyle Jensen, and Matt Carson to the minors, that brings the total of players in Major League camp down to 40. There are 16 position players, 24 pitchers, and six non roster invitees remaining. That leaves 15 relievers vying for seven spots. Thanks Eric!

Joc Pederson taking batting practice during Spring Training 2015. Photo: Stacie Wheeler

Chad Moriyama of dodgersdigest posted a cool little two minute video that Roberto Baly tweeted of Pablo Fernandez’s stuff. Not bad at all I’ll say. He’s got a pretty good slider.

Two more weeks until opening day!