(Mandatory Credit: John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star)
With less than two months remaining until MLB’s 2017 non-waiver trade deadline, we knew it would be only a matter of time before the Dodgers surfaced among clubs that are likely to show trading activity during the coming weeks. In Wednesday’s column, we made note of how several media outlets believe that Los Angeles will be aggressive on the pitching market, yet based on the squad’s recent propensity to fall into frequent offensive stupors, the management crew could be interested in seeking offensive help as well.
The Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday announced the return of Justin Turner from the disabled list. Turner will immediately return to the lineup, batting third and playing third base in Friday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
To say the Dodgers‘ offense has been lackluster lately would be a bit of an understatement. After scoring 10 runs in Milwaukee last Friday, the Dodgers have only scored five runs in five games since then. Granted, they were facing some of the best pitchers they’ve face so far in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, but still the offense has left something to be desired.
(Mandatory Credit: Richard Hartog/Associated Press)
Heading into the second weekend of June, the crazy carousel which we call the Dodgers disabled list takes another positive turn, this time promising to dip into the single digits by the end of the current homestand.
(Mandatory Credit: Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Moments before the series finale against the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon, skipper Dave Roberts told reporters his plans regarding the Dodgers starting rotation for the weekend, which will feature a three-game set against the Reds to conclude the current homestand.
(Mandatory Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
While many of the club’s current troubles can probably be attributed to the lack of offensive consistency, many fans of the Dodgers are beginning to have concerns about the overall quality of the starting rotation, especially in the absence of southpaw Alex Wood.
All-Stars can be a somewhat divisive subject. Is it truly a showing of the greatest players in MLB, or is it just a popularity contest? There are arguments for either side. It does usually showcase the best of the best, but as last year’s NL All-Star team showed with the number of Cubs, some of whom were definitely not the best of their position, it can just be a popularity contest.
(Mandatory Credit: Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
After what seemed to be a overwhelmingly long road trip that spanned only seven games, the Dodgers will return home on Monday to host the Washington Nationals for three contests on June 5-7, followed by a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on June 9-11. Sandwiched in between will be a much needed day off on June 8, the club’s first off-day since May 21.
After enduring a slight decline with the lumber during the tail-end of May, infield prospect Edwin Rios is beginning to heat up again at the dish, showing all those who follow the Dodgers closely exactly why he’s considered among the most gifted players offensively on the farm.