Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
It’s rare for a team to look like they need an off day a week into the season, but yesterday’s off day couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dodgers. They got swept in Arizona and looked very bad on Wednesday afternoon, as they managed only one hit and three walks in their third shutout loss of the week.
Their scheduled off day came before a surprise off day, as Friday night’s game has been postponed due to weather in San Francisco. Hopefully two days is enough for the offense to get on track. If not, the team also has days off next Monday and Thursday.
Tonight’s game in San Francisco has been postponed due to rain and has been rescheduled as a split doubleheader on April 28.
The start time for tomorrow’s game has been moved to 3:05 p.m. PT.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2018
Along with tonight’s postponement, tomorrow afternoon’s game has been pushed back two hours and first pitch is now scheduled for 3:05 PST. The Dodgers announced that Rich Hill will still start tomorrow and Clayton Kershaw will start on Sunday. Kenta Maeda, who was scheduled to start tonight, will apparently be skipped.
The Giants will also be skipping Friday night’s scheduled starter, Derek Holland.
Giants will go with Stratton tomorrow, Blach on Sunday. Holland moved to Monday. Hill and Kershaw pitching for Dodgers this weekend.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) April 6, 2018
Chris Stratton and Ty Blach will start against the Dodgers this weekend. The Dodgers faced both pitchers during their opening series. They scored three runs in 5 1/3 innings against Stratton last Sunday, but were held scoreless in five innings against Blach during their hope opener.
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In some off day news, former Dodger Trayce Thompson was claimed by the Oakland Athletics on Thursday morning. This could lead to a potential revenge series, as the A’s will be in Los Angeles for a two-game series next week.
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The Dodgers also designated Zach Neal, who made his Dodger debut in Wednesday’s loss, for assignment. They claimed RHP Alec Asher off Baltimore’s waivers and optioned him to Triple-A OKC.
Tricked myself into thinking Alec Asher was interesting but he's not
— Daniel Brim (@DanielBrim) April 5, 2018
Neal’s spot on the 25-man roster will likely be taken by Josh Fields, who will be returning from the Paternity List.
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In some rare good news for the Dodgers.
. @Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told us on @MLBNetworkRadio that Justin Turner (broken left wrist) is recovering well and expected to pick up a bat again next week. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 6, 2018
Justin Turner broke his wrist during a Spring Training game on March 20th. Next Tuesday will mark three weeks since Turner’s injury, which means he seems to be on track with this David Vassegh tweet from Monday.
Dave Roberts said the plan for Justin Turner to swing a bat was 3 weeks after the injury. Next week will be 3 weeks. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 2, 2018
Hopefully, Turner can get back without any setbacks. Logan Forsythe has had a rough time defensively at third base, and the team has a .202/.263/.286 triple slash line through seven games this season. Dodger third basemen have combined for a .077/.111/.192 triple slash line this season, so I’m not entirely sure that a one-armed Turner wouldn’t be their best option at this point.
