Kershaw & Brasier finalized, health updates, Frasso goes under the knife, Lamet & Owings sign, more

Chad Moriyama 02/09/2024 Dodgers News Leave A Comment

Alright alright, we’re back at Camelback Ranch now, and into baseball instead of rumors and all that. While the Roundup was done to clear some stuff out as the season starts, now it’s time to do the same with news items.

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While we already knew most of this is coming, it’s nice to have the Ryan Brasier (here) and Clayton Kershaw (here) deals be official.

Also, the details on Kershaw’s contract have come in.

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter. He gets whatever he wants at this point. If he wants $20 million next year instead, he’ll get it.

As expected, to clear 40-man roster room, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin were moved to the 60-day IL, where Kershaw will also likely be once they need the spot.

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As far as news out of camp, there were reveals about plans for said season, like Walker Buehler beginning the year on the IL.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Walker Buehler’s season won’t start on time. The Dodgers say it’s centered on workload more than anything else as the right-hander recovers from his second Tommy John surgery, with Buehler regularly throwing bullpens this winter and sporting a 205-pound figure after long being listed at 185 pounds.
“My elbow keeps snapping, man,” Buehler joked, “so I had to put a little weight around and try and protect it a little bit.”

Shortstop continues to be a position of interest, but the Dodgers are maintaining that Gavin Lux will be ready for Opening Day.

What appears set is the left side of the infield, with Gomes saying Gavin Lux “absolutely” remains in line to be the Dodgers’ shortstop come Opening Day even as Lux comes off an ACL tear in his right knee last spring. The former top prospect has cleared every bar thus far short of participating in game action, saying flatly he will be ready to go when the club opens its season in Seoul.

Speaking of being ready, both J.P. Feyereisen and Blake Treinen are scheduled for normal activities during Spring Training, so surely both hope to also be on the roster come Opening Day.

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In less pleasant news, one of the top Dodger prospects is undergoing shoulder surgery, as Nick Frasso heads under the knife.

Well, the injury risk was always the thing for him, and though it’s promising that they put him on the 40-man roster anyway, shoulder surgery always makes a pitcher’s future a bit of a toss-up. Unfortunate news.

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While we’re on the topic of injuries, Dinelson Lamet has signed with the Dodgers on a minor-league deal.

After looking like he was breaking out in 2020 with a 2.09 ERA and 2.48 FIP, Lamet has struggled with injuries since. Over the last three seasons, he’s posted just a 6.81 ERA (4.73 FIP) in 107 innings between starting and relieving. While the velocity and swing and miss stuff are still there (even if slightly diminished), his control has gotten worse for each of the last three years, to the point where his walk rate is double what it was in 2020.

Not sure he’s an option as a starter anymore, but the Dodgers have definitely turned far worse track records into quality relievers.

Another minor-league contract they added was … uh, Chris Owings. Yeah, the former Diamondbacks player slash Dodgers killer.

No offense intended, but I did not know he was still in the league. Probably because he has a .124/.228/.148/.376 line in 94 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Still, he’s a utility guy that can play shortstop, and that’s one of the areas the Dodgers need insurance.

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Let’s go.

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