Dodgers edged in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY -- As a former member of a struggling Detroit ballclub, Jeff Weaver has seen a lot of games unfold just like the one at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night.
Weaver pitches well, but Weaver loses. A starting pitcher isn't going to come out victorious many times when his offense provides only two runs of support. Both starting pitchers allowed two homers during the Dodgers' first game in Kansas City. The only difference was that one of the Royals' homers came with a man on base and it enabled Kansas City to squeeze out a 3-2 victory.
"He pitched a good ballgame," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said of Weaver. "He went seven innings, gave up three runs. More times than not, if your starting pitcher goes out there and pitches as well as he did tonight, your chances to win the game are fairly genuine."
Royals starter Runelvys Hernandez looked like he might be in for a tough night when white-hot Hee-Seop Choi, the second batter of the game, lined a homer just inside the right-field foul pole. Choi now has seven homers over a four-game span and became the first player to accomplish that feat since Shawn Green did it May 21-24, 2002.
But Hernandez settled down thereafter as the Dodgers failed to get the big hit. Los Angeles scored only once the rest of the evening, on a third-inning homer by J.D. Drew.
The Dodgers, who missed some early opportunities to make life easier for Weaver, wound up 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Consequently, Weaver had to be great. Instead, he settled for being very good and that simply wasn't enough.
The Royals opened the first by making an Interleague statement that they are no longer playing like doormats under the watch of new manager Buddy Bell. Angel Berroa started the first with a single and David DeJesus homered to right-center.
"That first inning kind of set the tone," Weaver said. "They weren't going to just roll over and let us beat them. They are out there to battle, too."
The Dodgers may be catching the Royals at the wrong time. Kansas City is 9-4 since Bell took over and just finished going on the road and taking two of three from both San Francisco and Arizona.
After Drew tied it at 2, Royals rookie Shane Costa became the definitive hero by hitting his first Major League homer in the fifth. It proved to be a game-winner.
Hot streak for Choi
Dodgers at Royals, June 14
Hot-hitting Hee-Seop Choi has seven hits in his last four games and all of them have left the park:
Date AB R H HR RBI
6/10 4 2 2 2 3
6/11 4 1 1 1 1
6/12 4 3 3 3 3
6/14 5 1 1 1 1
Totals 17 7 7 7 8
Choi's 13th home run increases his season RBI total to 29 and career total to 107, through June 14. He now has 38 homers in his career. The record for most home runs in four games with at least one homer in each is eight, set by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner in September 1947.
Dodgers right fielder Jason Werth thought he had a chance to bring Costa's high drive back into the park, but Werth couldn't get up quite high enough to make a highlight reel catch.
"I climbed the wall," Werth said. "I timed it right, but I just couldn't climb the wall high enough."
The Dodgers had an opportunity in the ninth when Jason Phillips led off with a single against Kansas City closer Mike MacDougal. Antonio Perez failed to put down a sacrifice bunt and fanned. Cesar Izturis bunted for a hit and MacDougal made a poised play to throw him out, but the tying run advanced to second with Choi at the plate.
When MacDougal got Choi on a bouncer to shortstop, it was the end of a frustrating day for the Dodgers. First, they learned that in all likelihood they've lost Eric Gagne because of an elbow injury. Then they lost a game that could have gone their way with another clutch hit or two.
The silver lining for Los Angeles was that Weaver continued his turnaround after some early-season problems.
"I just have to continue to stay where I'm at," Weaver said. "Once our offense gets going again, I think all of us will benefit from it. I just concentrate on what I have to do. As long as you can go home, look yourself in the mirror and know you put your best effort out there, that's all we can do as pitchers."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Perez to pitch Wednesday for 51s
LOS ANGELES -- Odalis Perez threw a bullpen session without discomfort Sunday, and will next appear for Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday against Sacramento in the first of what figures to be two or three Minor League rehabilitation assignments.
Perez's shoulder finally appears to be improving.
"It was good, very good," he said after tossing 54 pitches. "I threw all my pitches and felt comfortable and threw strikes. I was happy and the pitching coach was happy."
Perez has been disabled since May 15 with a recurrence of shoulder tenderness he experienced late last season and early in Spring Training. He said he will make as many rehab starts as necessary to be ready for a Major League start.
"I want to be able to pitch five, six, seven innings," he said. "Today was a big test, my best session since I've been throwing on the side. I'm pretty much ready to go. I'm way better. Now I have to get my strength back."
Source: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/
Gagne's injury a surprise
KANSAS CITY -- As he waits for more revealing news about his latest elbow injury, Eric Gagne has no regrets about the timetable he was on following the original elbow injury which he suffered during Spring Training.
Gagne, who was hurt in his final spring outing, missed seven weeks, spanning 35 games. Upon his return, he was 8-for-8 in save opportunities.
"I was 100 percent," Gagne said. "I was fine the whole time. It happens sometimes on one or two pitches. That's what happens with ligaments. You can't ever predict it. You feel great one day and the next day you can blow it out."
Gagne met with the media while doing Stairmaster conditioning as the Dodgers were concluding batting practice before Tuesday's game against Kansas City.
Asked if there was any thought in his mind that this injury might require season-ending surgery, Gagne said: "I don't even worry about that right now. We'll know for sure tomorrow what's going on. Right now, we're just hoping for the best."
Gagne's velocity has been down this year, but Gagne said he didn't consider that any type of warning sign about a possible elbow injury.
Perez update: Left-hander Odalis Perez, who has been on the disabled list with shoulder soreness, is scheduled to throw about 35 pitches in his first rehab start on Wednesday.
Even if that performance goes well, manager Jim Tracy said Perez will require additional rehab outings.
"Does he factor in on the 17th or 18th [of June]? The answer is no," Tracy said.
Around the horn: Tracy had third baseman Antonio Perez hitting in the No. 9 spot Tuesday for a specific reason. "It's like having another leadoff hitter down there," Tracy said. ... The Dodgers' appearance in Kansas City brings back special memories for L.A. coach Manny Mota. When Mota last appeared in Kansas City in 1973, he was there as a member of the National League All-Star team. ... Former Dodgers great Don Newcombe celebrated his 79th birthday on Tuesday. ... The Dodgers have signed seven players from last week's draft. The signees include David Horlacher (eighth round); Adam Godwin (11th round); Kristopher Krise (12th round); Wilfredo Diaz (15th round), Andrew Locke (19th round), Shane Justis (21st round) and Jason Mooneyham (40th round).
Coming up: The Dodgers will start right-hander Brad Penny in the middle game of the Kansas City series. Penny, who signed a three-year contract extension on Sunday, will be opposed by Jose Lima. After flourishing with the Dodgers in 2004, Lima is 0-5 with an 8.16 ERA for Kansas City.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Dodgers' bats quieted by streaking KC
KANSAS CITY -- Jose Lima did to the Dodgers on Wednesday night what he did for them in the playoffs last year.
A highly motivated, emotional Lima turned back the clock with a nifty five-hitter through eight innings as the Royals slipped past the Dodgers, 3-1, at Kauffman Stadium.
This from a man who hadn't won a game in 14 previous starts this year and took the mound with an 8.16 ERA. The sight of Dodger blue obviously agrees with Lima.
Stung by what he felt was a lukewarm attempt by the Dodgers to sign him for 2005, Lima took the mound looking to make a statement. And make a statement he did, putting an exclamation point behind it.
Lima didn't try to hide the fact that he felt extra incentive in facing the Dodgers.
"Could you tell?" he said. "Did you see me when I looked over there [toward the Dodgers' dugout]? Oh, yeah, definitely. I'm not happy."
Lima said he relished his relationship with the fans and media in Los Angeles.
"The fans appreciated. I know everybody was watching in L.A.," Lima said. "It's going to be pretty special for me."
For the second night in a row, the Dodgers' offense was stuck in neutral, spoiling a quality start by their man on the mound. Brad Penny was good, as Jeff Weaver had been the night before.
But the Royals took control of the game in the fifth inning, with Matt Stairs and Emil Brown contributing run-scoring singles to center for a 3-1 Kansas City lead. Then Lima kicked it into high gear.
As the outs piled up, Lima became more and more animated. When he fanned Jayson Werth to end the eighth, Lima sprinted in a low crouch toward the first-base dugout and leaped over the white lines while en route.
The show of emotion from Lima didn't bother Werth.
"That's Lima," Werth said with a shrug.
Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who saw Lima get on some serious rolls last year, could sense that the veteran right-hander was building momentum around the third inning.
"Jose got himself going," Tracy said. "By the third inning, I think he had locked himself in. He started making pitches and continued to make them all the way through the eighth inning. He just never really allowed us to get anything going."
Jeff Kent / 2B
Born: 03/07/68
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
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The Dodgers got their only run in the fourth when Werth led off with a bunt single and reached second on third baseman Mark Teahen's throwing error. Werth collided with first baseman Mike Sweeney on the play, resulting in a Sweeney injury that forced him to leave the game. A one-out RBI single by Jeff Kent tied the score at 1, but the Dodgers struggled thereafter.
"[Lima] was definitely on his game," Tracy said. "That's not the first time I've seen him go out there and perform like that. Give him credit. He made quality pitches ahead in the count and behind in the count."
Penny didn't bemoan the lack of run support. He knew the margin for error was slim as Lima responded to the challenge of facing his former team.
"In games like that, you can't give up more than one," Penny said. "Lima threw a great game. He was locating all of his pitches. Any time a Major Leaguer is locating all three pitches, he's going to be successful. It's always great to face your old team."
With Cesar Izturis out of the lineup because of a hamstring strain, Tracy shuffled the lineup against Lima. Antonio Perez batted leadoff, Werth moved to the No. 2 slot and Hee-Seop Choi slid down to No. 6 in the order.
But the Dodgers' offense remained dormant as a struggling Lima, for one night at least, found his 2004 magic.
"I was motivated," Lima said. "Oh, yeah. It was great."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Gagne likely headed back to DL
KANSAS CITY -- Dodgers' closer Eric Gagne is in all likelihood headed back to the disabled list after an MRI in Kansas City revealed that he has another sprain of the right elbow.
"It's the same situation he was dealing with in Spring Training," manager Jim Tracy said. "He said he felt burning there."
An MRI performed by Dr. Steven Joyce, the Royals team physician, revealed that Gagne has a second-degree sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament.
Gagne, who sprained his right elbow in his final spring outing and spent the first 35 games on the disabled list, was 8-for-8 in save opportunities. But his velocity had been down.
"I was 100 percent," Gagne said. "I was fine the whole time. It happens sometimes on one or two pitches. That's what happens with ligaments. You can't ever predict it. You feel great one day and the next day you can blow it out."
Tracy said Gagne on Sunday had the best fastball he has seen from his premier closer since Gagne was activated. But after that outing against Minnesota, Gagne complained of the burning sensation in his elbow.
Tracy said Gagne will "more than likely" land on the disabled list. Yhency Brazoban will again step into the closer's role in Gagne's absence.
Tracy said the results of Gagne's MRI are being sent back to Dr. Frank Jobe in Los Angeles.
Despite not having the velocity he displayed in past seasons, Gagne had given up only two runs in 13 innings while striking out 22 and walking three. After giving up home runs to the first two batters he faced in his initial appearance, Gagne had been highly effective even without his best heater.
Tracy declined to speculate on how long the latest injury might sideline Gagne.
"I have no idea what this could lead to," Tracy said. "He does have some swelling."
Tracy expressed confidence that Brazoban can handle the closer's role while Gagne is recuperating.
"That kid was pretty good in the early stages of the season," Tracy said. "You'll see a lot of the same faces in the latter part of the game."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Cesar Izturis
In 1974, my first year on Walter Alston's coaching staff, Dodger fans amazed me as they wrote-in Steve Garvey to the All-Star Game. I will never forget how touched Steve was by the support he received. He was tremendously honored, and equally deserving.
This year, we as Dodger fans have a duty to vote Cesar Izturis into this year’s All-Star Game. He is, without a doubt, the best shortstop in the National League. In fact, I would have to go back to Pee Wee Reese to find a better defensive shortstop in the history of our franchise to compare to Izturis.
Cesar is like a vacuum. His range is outstanding, and he makes amazing plays. If something is hit his way, you can rest assured he will make the play. His hands are soft and his feet are quick. He definitely gets my vote
The All-Star Game is our way of giving back to the fans. It is our way of thanking the fans for all the support they give to baseball. The starters for each team are picked by the fans, and rightfully so. However, when voting, remember Cesar Izturis has not gotten the recognition he so richly deserves.
Not only is Cesar a talented, special ballplayer, he is an outstanding young man who wears the Dodger uniform with dignity and character. He is humble and hard working; he shows up to the ballpark everyday with the attitude of performing better than he did the day before.
Cesar is like a breath of fresh air. He plays baseball like my wife shops…all day long.
The Dodgers have not had a starter in the Mid Summer Classic since Mike Piazza in 1997. We have an opportunity to change that with Cesar Izturis. Since last week he has moved from sixth place in voting for shortstops to fourth by receiving 98,000 votes. Let’s keep up the good work, and continue to vote for Cesar until he is the starter. He only trails Nomar Garciaparra, who is in first place despite only playing in 14 game this season, by 52,209 votes.
Through mlb.com, you can vote on-line 25 times per email address with which you register. So thanks for reading my blog, now start voting for Cesar and all your favorite Dodgers until we have a starter.
Elbow sidelines Gagne again
KANSAS CITY -- Eric Gagne was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but his course for recovery and the extent of the rehabilitation won't be determined until next Tuesday when Gagne meets with Dr. Frank Jobe.
Jobe has looked at the MRI of Gagne's right elbow and concurred with the findings of Royals physician Steven Joyce that Gagne has a second-degree sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament. The next step is for Jobe to personally examine Gagne.
"The reason we're waiting until next Tuesday is that it gives Stan [Johnston, the team's head athletic trainer] an opportunity to do some more treatment and let it quiet down as much as possible," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "Then he'll have another MRI on Tuesday and we'll find out exactly where the situation stands."
Gagne was at Kauffman Stadium going through his normal conditioning routine on Wednesday. The Dodgers activated right-hander Elmer Dessens to take Gagne's spot on the active roster.
"Dr. Jobe is the best in the world," Gagne said. "I want him to look at me and they [the Dodgers] want him to look at me."
Gagne admitted being nervous as he waits for the Tuesday exam, which will determine whether surgery will be required.
"Very nervous, because you never know," Gagne said. "It's an elbow."
Asked if he's preparing for the worst, Gagne replied: "I always do. I always get ready for the worst, and if it's better than that, you're happy."
Gagne said he finds solace in being around his teammates and working out after suffering his second elbow ligament injury since his final outing of Spring Training.
"I'm around these guys more than my own family," Gagne said. "Just to be around and do the same thing over and over makes you think about something else. I'm doing the exact same thing, except I'm not warming up in the eighth inning."
Hoffman hurt: Third base coach Glenn Hoffman was struck near the right ear by a line drive during batting practice on Wednesday night and stayed in a prone position for several minutes before rising and walking off the field under his own power.
Hoffman, who was coherent as he left the field, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for a complete evaluation.
Jim Lett, normally the bench coach, took over as the third base coach in Hoffman's absence.
Cesar Izturis / SS
Born: 02/10/80
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 180 lbs
Bats: S / Throws: R
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Izturis out: Shortstop Cesar Izturis was out of the lineup Wednesday because of a recurring right hamstring strain. Izturis played on Tuesday, but said he didn't feel right in his squat position.
"It's tight," Izturis said. "During the game, when I was preparing for the pitch, I felt a little pain."
Izturis said there are no plans for him to have an MRI.
"I think it's just treatment and rest for a couple of days," he said.
Izturis barely missed beating out what could have been a key bunt single during Tuesday's ninth inning. Tracy said he thought Izturis would have beaten the throw to first if the hamstring had been 100 percent.
Around the horn: Left-hander Odalis Perez, recovering from shoulder soreness, threw 35 pitches in his first rehab assignment on Tuesday night. He gave up four hits and two runs in two innings. ... Tracy moved Jason Werth to the No. 2 slot and Hee-Seop Choi to the No. 6 slot for Wednesday's game. Tracy was hopeful the red-hot Choi could boost run-scoring efficiency hitting sixth, which has been a sore spot in the order lately. ... Former Dodgers Al Downing and Jim Wynn took part in the Legends Luncheon Series at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Wednesday in Kansas City. ... Dodgers special advisor to the chairman Tommy Lasorda has been asked by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a delegate to the World Exposition 2005 from June 17-22 in Aichi, Japan. ... Dessens is the proud father of Erick, who was born to Elmer and wife Lorenia on Sunday afternoon.
Coming up: The Dodgers will conclude the Kansas City series on Thursday with right-hander Derek Lowe on the mound. Lowe, who leads the club with 92 innings pitched, will be opposed by Royals right-hander Zack Greinke.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
White chats up Dodgers' draft
Los Angeles Dodgers scouting director Logan White chatted with fans online about the Dodgers' picks in the 2005 draft. White talked about the top pick, pitcher Luke Hochevar, as well as subsequent picks and players in the Dodgers farm system.
oxndodger: Are there any other promotions to some of the top prospects besides Andy Laroche?
Logan White: I'm sure there are some coming, but that's more up to Terry Collins and his staff.
sweeney: Do you think you got the steal of the draft by taking Luke Hochevar with the 40th overall pick?
White: I think we got a great kid. But I think there were a lot of good players taken in the draft. I'm certainly excited about getting Luke.
Base_Ball_2: Do you fully expect to sign Hochevar and how much money do you feel it will take?
White: Knowing the type of competitor Luke is, he'll want to become a Dodger at some point. As far as money is concerned, we'll certainly be fair, but I wouldn't want to guess at how much it would take to get it done.
Base_Ball: Kudos, Logan. Great job, terrific draft, but who can we sign? Love the Hochevar pick. Please say something about Josh Wall and Scott Van Slyke, who I find most intriguing and hope they are considered "must signs."
White: Thanks a lot. Josh Wall is a high ceiling, projectable pitcher that has an above average fastball with a chance at an above average curveball. His delivery needs refining and work, but once we get him in the system, I'm sure we'll iron out all of those issues. As for Van Slyke, Scott is a tremendous kid with bloodlines. He can run, throw and has a chance to hit down the road. If we can convince him to sign instead of going to Ole Miss, it would be great.
1434387: How close is Hochevar from the Majors? Are you higher on him now than you were three years ago?
White: I certainly think he's improved since high school or we wouldn't have drafted him higher. But we did love him out of high school. As I've mentioned before, I think he fits in nicely with Justin Orenduff, Jonathan Broxton, Chad Billingsley, Charles Tiffany and that class of pitchers.
acsb: Roy Smith claimed you were prepared to take Ivan De Jesus at 40 until Hochevar fell, yet some think that he was a reach at 51. Did you feel he was underrated being from Puerto Rico, or was this just the result of a thin draft class?
White: Actually, I was prepared to take Beau Jones, a left-handed pitcher from Louisiana that Atlanta drafted right after our pick. But obviously we like Ivan and believe he's going to be a very good Major League player. As far as the draft class goes, I think the overall depth was thin, but I certainly don't want to belittle any of the players drafted, because there are going to be some quality Major League players coming out of this draft.
acsb: Who is Trayvon Robinson, and what kind of professional player do you see him becoming?
White: Trayvon is an alumnus of the RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). He's a young man with very good tools and he's an outstanding runner with a chance to hit.
revere419: Mr. White, how do you feel about trying to draft a player that the team has already spent one pick on three years ago?
White: Obviously I wish we would have signed him three years ago, but I think it speak volumes for our staff for identifying him three years ago.
davisdodgerfan: Have there been any conflicts between you and Paul DePodesta in your drafting philosophies? I guess I'm asking if you've experienced a difference of opinion between the "Moneyball" approach to drafting a player and the traditional approach.
White: We certainly have differences in style, personality and occasionally in philosophy. Like any two people that work closely together, you are going to have some differences. But overall, I think as people have seen in the past two years, we've managed to make it a great fit.
kevin_jackson: Your 11th-round pick Adam Godwin has speed. I think as a organization, the Dodgers have a lot of speed. Did you want to get more speed in this draft?
White: That's a great question and yes, we did. This is why we drafted Trayvon and Godwin.
Douglas_Fearing: Thank you for answering our questions. Which late-round picks are you most excited about as draft-and-follows? I'd like to know who we should keep tabs on next year.
White: That's a tough one because I don't want to tip my hand. But, I do think we have a few interesting players that we grabbed in the late rounds.
Douglas_Fearing: A lot of our prospective talent seems to be bunched up at the Double-A level, and around 21-22 years old. How does this affect your draft strategy going in?
White: To keep taking the best available player. If you look, we have young talent in Columbus in Blake Johnson, Elbert, DeWitt and eventually they'll be bunched up in Double-A and the other kids will be in the big leagues. It's like a cycle and you just keep the cycle going.
fafalita: Congratulations on restocking our farm system. Are there any prospects, besides the obvious, that you think are dark horses to make the big club? Are there any that you take a particular pride in for selecting after seeing their development to this point?
White: Yes, Chris Malone in Columbus is a dark horse that we signed after the draft last year out of the Alaskan League as an undrafted free agent. I give credit to national crosschecker Tim Hallgren, who scouted him. A guy like Eric Stults, he's a down the line guy that we took in the 15th round in 2002 and he's having a good season after coming off Tommy John surgery.
rainestx: How is Greg Miller progressing in his rehab with the shoulder?
White: He's thrown off the mound in simulated games three times and in his first outing, he was throwing 90-94 mph. He's on a path to hopefully be back pitching full-time sometime this summer. It's just a matter of if he can maintain that for a long period of time.
acsb: Will David Horlacher be pushed harder than most prospects given his age, or do you see him advancing at a more moderate pace?
White: Obviously we would like to move him faster because he is a little older, but we'll push him to the point that his abilities will allow.
meloco912: Do you think Joel Guzman and Andy Laroche could be ready for the Major League squad next season?
White: There are so many variables, that could be difficult to answer. But I think they certainly have the ability to be able to do that.
natedogge7: Labled as the most polished pitcher entering the draft, does Hochevar have front-line ace material for the Majors? How does he compare to the top three college pitchers that were drafted last year in Justin Verlander, Philip Humber and Jeff Niemann?
White: At this stage of the game, I would hate to put any labels on Luke or comparisons because some of the so-called elite players in a draft, I may not like as much as other teams. I've never been one to really fall in line with publications' rankings of how they see players.
fawnkyjunk_2: Are there any prospects out in the farm system that aren't well-known but have sparked your interest of late?
White: An additional name would be Matt Kemp in the Florida State League for Single-A Vero Beach. Another guy would be Jamie Hoffman, the center fielder at Columbus who we signed as a non-drafted free agent. Hoffman was a hockey player and kudos go to Jeff Schugel, now a pro scout with the Angels, who was our international scout at the time and scouted him.
kevin_jackson: You made a very interesting pick in the fourth round with Josh Bell, a high school shortstop drafted as a third baseman. We are loaded at third base, why did you draft him?
White: I never believe that you can have too much of a good thing. Josh Bell has one thing that I think any system needs and that's power.
fafalita: I imagine you have a staff of people working for you. How would you describe your leadership style?
White: That's a good question. First off, I have an outstanding staff and any time you read that we do anything well in scouting, it's more a result of the people around me than myself. I believe I'm a person that has high expectations for myself and my staff. I never ask anything of them that I wouldn't ask of myself. But I believe in hiring good people, putting your trust in them and allowing them to do the job you hired them to do. I certainly don't micro-manage them. Last but not least, communication, especially among scouting, is huge and I'd like to think I'm a good communicator. I also believe in hiring experience. We have three former scouting directors on staff -- Gary Nickels, John Barr and Tim Hallgren. But my special advisor, Gib Bodet, is a tireless worker. I don't want to give his age away, but he's been in the game a long time and any success we've had here is a direct reflection of Gib Bodet.
semperfi20: Was it difficult to narrow down the players you thought might be available by the time the 40th pick came around?
White: No, by the time the draft rolls around, my staff and I have prepared so well, we feel we're ready for almost any scenario that could come up.
vtadave: Logan, what sort of timetable is there for promoting Joel Guzman to the Majors? What big leaguer, past or present, would you compare him to?
White: The timetable depends on again, many variables that are out of my control pertaining to the Major League team. I don't want to put any unrealistic expectations on Joel, because I think it's tough for young players to live up to those expectations sometimes and that's unfair. But he does have incredible power, an outstanding arm, he can run, he's athletic, he's a tall, rangy player, who with time and some strength gain, will still get better.
Base_Ball_4: Can you could give us an approximation of the number of scouts employed by the Dodgers?
White: We've got 17 area scouts within the U.S. and Canada, three regional supervisors, two national crosscheckers and myself. Then, we've got three full-time international scouts and 17 part-time international guys.
Eric_Enders: Typically, how many of the 40-something players the Dodgers draft have you seen play personally each year before the draft?
White: Sometimes it's as high as 20 guys that I'll see, but probably more realistically, 12-15.
White: Thank you all for taking part in this chat. I really thank you for your in-depth questions. I really think Dodgers fans are well schooled, their questions are well thought out and they genuinely care. On behalf of myself and all the Dodgers staff, we certainly appreciate your interest. We look forward to doing it again next year after the draft, so keep watching these guys as try to they make their way to Dodger Stadium.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Lowe, Dodgers swept in KC
KANSAS CITY -- Cesar Izturis is still feeling pain in his right hamstring, and the pain spread to the entire Dodgers' team on Thursday night.
Without their regular shortstop, who sat out a second consecutive game to nurse the sore muscle, his replacement, Antonio Perez, got the start at short instead. Perez whiffed on a potential inning-ending double-play grounder in the sixth that would have preserved a one-run Los Angeles lead.
The error by Perez ignited a six-run inning. Instead of getting nothing in the sixth, the upstart Kansas City Royals poured it on en route to a 9-6 victory and a sweep of the three-game series.
The game got away from the Dodgers when Emil Brown, with runners at first and third and one out, smacked a Derek Lowe pitch right at Perez. Had he fielded the ball cleanly, Perez would have had plenty of time to turn the double play.
But Perez watched with chagrin as the ball went by him and the tying run scored. From that point on, it went from bad to ugly for the Dodgers. Los Angeles went into a freefall after the error, and the Royals put the game away with an RBI groundout by Shane Costa, an RBI single by Mark Teahen, a two-run double by Alberto Castillo and a run-scoring single by Ruben Gotay.
"Defensively, in the sixth inning, we broke down and it ended up being the difference in the game," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "It's really kind of a shame that our starting pitcher has to absorb that. He did nothing but continue to make pitches to get us out of the inning."
Even after the error by Perez allowed Kansas City to tie the game, the Dodgers still could have prevented the Royals from taking the lead in the inning if they had turned a double play on Costa's grounder to short.
This time, Perez fielded the ball and got it to Jeff Kent for the forceout, but the relay wasn't in time.
"[Lowe] threw a ground-ball double play that would have gotten us out of the sixth inning still ahead 3-2. He threw another ground ball double play that we were unable to turn that put them ahead by a run," Tracy said. "Then they get another ground-ball seeing-eye hit. Defensively, we didn't get the job done in the sixth inning."
The Dodgers were swept for the third time in 22 series. It was the first time they've been swept by an American League club since June 27-29, 2003, against the Angels.
"We were still making pitches [in the sixth], and at no point did you think they would score six runs," Lowe said. "You have to give them credit. I didn't see the Royals earlier this year, but apparently Buddy Bell has them playing really well. They kicked our tails for three games in a row."
While defense was the main flaw for the Dodgers in the finale, the recent trend of leaving runners on base continued to haunt Los Angeles. The Dodgers left 11 on base, and were just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
"You've got to make plays," catcher Jason Phillips said. "Offensively, defensively, everybody."
The Dodgers could fall back on the excuse of having seven significant pieces out of the mix due to injury. But when you get swept by a team that started the series 20 games under .500, it's cause of concern.
"If you're supposed to be the best, you have to play like it," Phillips said. "When you don't, you get swept in a series like this. It's the big leagues. Regardless of whether it's the Royals, the Cardinals, whoever, you have to play good baseball to come out on top."
At 33-32, the Dodgers still have road series against the White Sox, Padres and Angels before heading home. On paper, Kansas City was supposed to be the easiest leg of the trip. But it didn't turn out that way.
"You never want to start a road trip 0-3," Lowe said. "But it is what it is. If we can hang in here for the next six to eight weeks and start getting some guys back, that's when the season really gets fun. As long as you are close enough to first place, which we should be."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
LA won't risk Izturis
KANSAS CITY -- Dodgers manager Jim Tracy doesn't want any more false alarms with shortstop Cesar Izturis.
When Izturis' strained right hamstring is fully healed, he'll play. But not before then.
Izturis played Tuesday night in the series opener against Kansas City, but the hamstring was tight when he went to his fielding position. Tracy held Izturis out on Wednesday and again on Thursday.
"I want the thing to quiet down," Tracy said. "We're not doing anybody any good -- him or the ballclub -- if we go back and forth."
Tracy was unsure whether Izturis might be available for the start of the White Sox series on Friday night.
"They are treating him three or four times in the course of a game," Tracy said. "We'll see tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Tracy said Milton Bradley still has certain rehabilitation steps to take before he'll return to the Dodgers outfield. Bradley has been recovering from a torn finger ligament.
"I don't see it happening in the next few days anyway," Tracy said. "First of all, we have to get him swinging the bat at baseballs, and then get him to the point where you're comfortable where he's at. And more important, he feels comfortable with where he's at."
As much as he'd like to have Izturis and Bradley, Tracy doesn't want either player to rush the process. Having them healthy for the long haul is the primary objective.
Dessens to start: Right-hander Elmer Dessens, who was activated on Wednesday when Eric Gagne was placed on the disabled list, will start on Saturday against the White Sox.
"Derek Thompson has some elbow tenderness," Tracy said. "So he's obviously not the choice to pitch on Saturday."
Dessens had allowed four earned runs in nine innings before a stint on the disabled list. Tracy said Thompson has battled the elbow tenderness off and on since Spring Training.
Around the horn: Jayson Werth received a day off on Thursday, but Tracy said Werth will be back in the lineup when the Dodgers open their weekend series in Chicago. ... Tracy, when asked if he felt the Dodgers had missed an opportunity by dropping the first two games in Kansas City, said: "No, not really. Not when you consider the fact that I could reel off seven or eight names that aren't participating. And the fact that you're only in the third game of a 13-game road trip. I'm not going to jump the gun and say we've lost an opportunity." ... Third baseman Andy LaRoche, who hit .333 with 21 homers and 51 RBIs through 63 games in the Florida State League, has been promoted to Double-A Jacksonville. ... Izturis and Jeff Kent lead at their respective shortstop and second base positions in NL All-Star voting. Should both start, it would mark the first time a Dodgers double-play combo has opened an All-Star Game since Davey Lopes and Bill Russell in 1980. ... Third base coach Glenn Hoffman, who was struck near the right ear by a line drive in batting practice on Wednesday, was on the bench Thursday. But Hoffman did not go to the coaching box. Bench coach Jim Lett assumed those duties. "He's still feeling the effects," Tracy said of Hoffman.
Coming up: The Dodgers will go with right-hander D.J. Houlton in the opening game of the Chicago series Friday night. The White Sox will counter with left-hander Mark Buehrle.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Choi's walk-off brings LA back
LOS ANGELES -- Paul Lo Duca has 23 RBIs this year. Hee-Seop Choi has 24.
Last year's trade is still a popular topic for debate around Los Angeles, but it looked pretty good Friday night when Choi slugged two home runs -- including a walk-off shot off the right-field foul pole on former Dodger Terry Mulholland's first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning -- for a 6-5 Dodgers win over the Minnesota Twins.
In the first meaningful game between the teams since the 1965 World Series, Choi handled the start and the finish, while Brad Penny, who also came over in last July's trade with Florida, controlled the middle innings.
Wobbly through the first three frames, Penny retired the last nine batters he faced, and combined with relievers Duaner Sanchez, Yhency Brazoban and Eric Gagne to set down the final 21 Twins in order.
"We beat a very good ballclub," said manager Jim Tracy, whose team is 2 1/2 games out of first, the closest it's been since May 19, after winning five of its last six. "The key was Penny hanging in there and adjusting. His stuff was the same, but his location was up early."
Penny drew a no-decision, so his celebration must wait until Sunday, when he is expected to sign a contract extension for $25 million.
"My breaking ball was terrible early, I was leaving it up," said Penny, charged with five runs on nine hits. "I started locating the fastball better in the middle innings."
Choi's celebration began in the first inning with a two-run homer off Joe Mays and ended with a triumphant second tour around the bases after being allowed to hit and homer against the left-handed Mulholland. It was only Choi's 13th at-bat against a left-hander this year. It was his eighth home run of the season, but only the second of his career off a lefty (vs. Brian Fuentes, April 28, 2004).
"After his first home run, he told me he'd hit three tonight," said Penny. "[After the game], I asked him what happened? He said that he had to bunt once (in the seventh inning).
"If he plays every day, he'll put numbers up. I saw him do it in Florida in the first half last year. It's tough to play a couple [of] days, then sit a couple [of] days."
For Penny and Choi to combine on heroics in this game is a statement about their resilience and general manager Paul DePodesta's faith. Penny is healed from a rare arm injury, while Choi continues learning how to hit in the Major Leagues. DePodesta expects both to be Dodgers for years to come.
Nonetheless, Choi finished May in an 0-for-22 slump that dropped his average from .308 to .254. He was only 3-for-19 in June until his first-inning home run Friday night. Dodger Stadium fans, who booed him with gusto last September as he played himself onto the bench, chanted his name after his game-winner.
"I like it," Choi said of the chanting. "More energy. I hit home runs for fans today. I love fans. A left-handed pitcher, I wanted to hit."
Choi explained that, most recently, he has worked with hitting coach Tim Wallach on keeping his upper body loose during the swing. Wallach limited his comments to praising Choi for his hard work.
"He's got tremendous power and when he stays freed up, he's able to use it," said Wallach. "But I don't want to talk about what he's doing. Every time I do that, he goes into a funk."
While Choi was driving in three runs, the Dodgers' biggest run producer, Jeff Kent, made a significant contribution with his baserunning.
With the Dodgers trailing in the sixth inning, 5-4, Kent reached base on a fielder's choice, pulled a delayed steal of second base, kept going to third when catcher Joe Mauer's throw sailed into center field and scored on Mays' wild pitch to Jayson Werth.
"We're doing a lot of things well the last seven to 10 days," said Tracy. "We applied pressure tonight and created opportunities to score runs."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Houlton's second start
LOS ANGELES -- D.J. Houlton gets his second Major League start Sunday against the Twins.
Houlton was chosen over fellow rookie Derek Thompson, who will give manager Jim Tracy a second left-hander in the bullpen to go with Kelly Wunsch.
"He deserves it," Tracy said of Houlton. "They both deserve it. After what we saw of him [June 4], it's wise to get him out there and see where he's at. This [Twins] lineup has a more right-handed flavor, even with the lefties in there, and it fits his repertoire of pitches."
Houlton made his first Major League start last Saturday against Milwaukee, allowing one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He will be pitching on seven days' rest.
Tracy said Thompson would be used in long relief situations similar to the ones Houlton handled in the two months leading up to his first start.
That will be something new for Thompson, whose only professional relief appearance came in last year's Double-A All-Star Game, when he allowed a home run.
"That one didn't go too well," Thompson said. "I can warm up pretty quick, but it's the mentality of a reliever. I've got no experience doing it. I know the routine to being a starter. I've never pitched back-to-back days or anything like that. I don't know how well my arm will bounce back."
Thompson missed the 2003 season with surgery to repair a partial ligament tear, but he said his arm required significant treatment between starts even before the injury.
"After a start, I'm real sore and I'm OK for my bullpen [between starts], really sore after that. Then I recuperate by the fifth day and I'm ready to go for my next start," he said.
Thompson figures to be the first reliever Sunday if Houlton encounters early trouble.
Injury update: Disabled outfielder Milton Bradley was able to play long-toss in the outfield, but pain in his injured ring finger still prevents him from swinging a bat without letting go. He will continue therapy for another week before trying again, and is likely to remain in Los Angeles when the club travels to Kansas City.
Disabled pitcher Odalis Perez threw a bullpen session and said he felt better than any time since he was sidelined May 15. He will throw again Sunday, after which it will be decided whether he goes for a Minor League rehabilitation stint.
Disabled catcher Wilson Alvarez received a cortisone injection in his shoulder and could begin throwing within a couple of days.
Disabled pitcher Elmer Dessens will make the third start of his Minor League rehabilitation assignment Sunday, and could be activated when the club travels to Kansas City for a series that begins Tuesday.
Disabled catcher Paul Bako batted for the first time and ran for the third consecutive day. He has not tried squatting yet, but believes he could return by next weekend. He is eligible to be activated Saturday.
Disabled outfielder Ricky Ledee continues his improvement from a sore and stiff hamstring, and Tracy said Ledee likely would be activated when he is eligible June 20.
WIN softball clinic on Saturday: The Dodgers are hosting the first Women's Initiative and Network (WIN) event of the season, the All Girls Softball Clinic, on Saturday. The clinic will feature an appearance by vice chairman Jamie McCourt, as well as Dodgers Eric Gagne, Oscar Robles and Manny Mota, National Pro Fastpitch players and Luchy Guerra, the Dodgers' assistant director of player development.
WIN is a new program in baseball focused on providing women of all ages and background with unique opportunities to learn about the sport, participate in the unparalleled Dodger Stadium experience, and contribute to our community and our national pastime in innovative and meaningful ways.
WIN offers women special access to the game experience through events and ongoing programs including clinics, seminars, and forums involving Dodgers players, coaches and staff. WIN takes an active role in promoting community involvement and educational programs, and gives women invaluable professional and social networking opportunities.
Hochevar Clemens finalist: University of Tennessee's Luke Hochevar, the Dodgers' top draft pick earlier this week, is one of three finalists for the Roger Clemens Award, which honors the best pitcher in college baseball.
The other two finalists are Lance Broadway of TCU and Cesar Carillo of Miami (FL). The winner will be announced July 14.
Hollywood Stars on Saturday: Rob Schneider, Jimmy Kimmel and Molly Sims are among the celebrities taking the field in the Los Angeles Dodgers' annual Hollywood Stars Game presented by Yahoo! set for this Saturday at 5:15 p.m. PT.
In the 47th edition of the celebrity contest, the stars will compete in a softball game, with an auxiliary outfield fence to offer greater opportunity for home runs. Moreover, fans are invited to sit on Dodger Stadium's outfield grass and warning track to get a better glimpse of their favorite Hollywood luminaries.
Coming up: Derek Lowe gets the start Saturday night. He bounced back from his stool-throwing loss to the Cubs to pitch eight strong innings against his hometown Tigers in his last start, allowing only five base hits and keeping the ball in the park. He has a 5.24 career ERA against the Twins, who will counter with Carlos Silva.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Dodgers take part in softball clinic
LOS ANGELES -- More than 100 girls, ranging from age 4 to 14, turned out for the first All Girls Softball Clinic presented by the Dodgers' Women's Initiative and Network (WIN) on Saturday. The new program focuses on providing women of all ages and backgrounds with unique opportunities to learn about baseball and participate in the Dodger Stadium experience.
"There was so much interest by the young girls to have a softball clinic and be on the Dodger fields," said Dodger vice chairman Jamie McCourt, who established WIN. "I hope this is the first of many events we'll have.
"I think we're incredibly lucky that so many people are so interested," said McCourt. "I think what has happened is that people have realized that there is such an enormous potential in terms of providing access to women and young girls, and getting them all excited about being here and realizing there's a space for them -- whether it's in the front office or on the field. They can find a place for themselves, it's so exciting."
The girls who turned out for the event were coached for two hours in baseball and softball techniques by Dodger players Eric Gagne, Kelly Wunsch and Oscar Robles along with coach Manny Mota. Members of the National Pro Fastpitch League and former members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, made famous in the film "A League of Their Own," were on hand to help coach.
"This is one of the most enjoyable things of our retirement," said Mabel Blair, who played for the Peoria Red Wings in the 1940s. "For us to come out here and help the girls and see the smiles on their faces and see the hope that they can advance not only in sports, but in regular life, too. Any time we can spread the word about baseball and softball, we're all for it."
Blair was joined by former league members Shirley Burkovich, Dorothy "Snookie" Doyle, Tibie Thelma Eisen and Lee Delamanico.
"This is pretty nice," said Gagne. "This is the first time I've been to an event like this. It's real exciting, it's great for the kids out here and I think it's a really good initiative."
The Dodgers closer believes that events like this are not only good for the fans, but the players too.
"Every time you go out in public to see the fans, just to see their reaction is amazing," said Gagne. "They are really excited to see us and we're excited to see them. This is our way to give back a little bit, it's just two hours of our time and it's a lot of fun."
McCourt has big plans for WIN.
"The ultimate goal is to make everyone feel comfortable coming to a baseball game," said McCourt. "You can be a casual fan; you don't have to be a raging fanatic who knows every statistic. You can come and just enjoy the game, the grass, the experience, the time with your family -- that's the goal."
"What the McCourts are doing is huge," said Gagne. "That's why it's good to have a team owned by a family, because they really get involved; they really care about Los Angeles. I knew they were going to get involved like this, and they are doing a tremendous job."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Trio of homers not enough vs. Twins
LOS ANGELES -- Cesar Izturis has been exceptional for most of this season, but now hme's like a growing number of Dodgers.
He's hurt.
The Gold Glove shortstop's right hamstring tightened during Saturday night's 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins, overshadowing three Dodgers homers and forcing Izturis out of a game four innings after a ground ball he usually gobbles up went through him. This capped a two-week span for the All-Star candidate that included an 0-for-25 batting drought.
Manager Jim Tracy said Izturis will not play in Sunday's homestand finale and, with Monday's day off, the hope is he'll recover quickly enough to play Tuesday night in Kansas City. For that to happen, Izturis will need to be more resilient than his 13 teammates who already have suffered 14 disabling injuries this year.
Derek Lowe has avoided disabling injuries all of his career, but the Dodgers starter couldn't avoid another shaky first inning that created a hole from which the Dodgers never escaped. He allowed the first three Twins hitters to reach base, and the first two scored on a single by Justin Morneau, who added a two-run homer in the third inning.
The two-out home run followed the ball that Izturis was unable to glove. It was hit by Luis Rodriguez, a moderately paced bouncer up the middle. Izturis ranged to his left as fluidly as usual and got in front of the ball, but it skipped right past him. He was initially charged with an error, but official scorer Ed Munson changed the ruling to a single, which raised eyebrows even in the Dodgers' clubhouse.
"It was a debatable play that would have put down the inning," said Tracy. "When you give a good Major League team the opportunity to take an extra at-bat, more times than not it comes back to haunt you. It did tonight, the result being a two-run home run. They're a very good club, and if you give them an extra chance you're going to pay for it."
Izturis said he felt his hamstring tighten after grounding out to second base in his first-inning at-bat.
"After that, it was a little tight and when I got ready for a pitch on defense it hurt a little bit," he said.
Izturis said he felt the injury particularly on a fifth-inning grounder by Twins leadoff hitter Lew Ford, but not on the Rodriguez grounder he missed.
"It was a tough ground ball and I don't think I had a chance anyway," he said. "It might be a tough play."
Of course, Izturis makes so many tough plays look easy that scorers, fans, teammates and a manager have come to expect perfection.
"You've got to keep going. Got to keep pitching your game, no matter what happens behind you," Lowe said, when asked about the misplay. "When you play a good team like Minnesota, it comes down to executing pitches and [Twins starter Carlos] Silva did a better job."
That point could be argued. Silva allowed three Dodgers home runs -- Jason Grabowski, Hee-Seop Choi and Jeff Kent all went deep. They were all solo shots and even though Choi's nearly cleared the right-field pavilion and landed 458 feet away, it only counted as one run. It was the second homer in three games for Grabowski and the third homer in two games for Choi.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers' defense turned three double plays behind Lowe to keep the Twins' damage at a minimum. In addition to Morneau's two-run homer in the third, Lowe served up a solo homer to Torii Hunter in the sixth inning. Lowe faced one more batter after that homer and was removed after six innings and only 72 pitches, but there was no indication of a physical problem.
Still, the most damaging runs were the two in the first inning that put the Dodgers in an early hole. Ford led off with a slow bouncer that third baseman Antonio Perez was unable to glove. Rodriguez then shot a double past Choi at first base and down the right-field line. Morneau cashed them in with a single up the middle.
Lowe's first-inning ERA this year is 5.79, compared to 3.23 from the second inning on. Overall, he has a 3.62 ERA, and is the only Dodger starter with an ERA below 4.00.
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
Davis studies Kent's technique
LOS ANGELES -- The man who holds the all-time Dodgers record for RBIs in one season met the man with the only chance this season of even coming close to matching that record.
Tommy Davis, who drove in a mind-boggling 153 runs in 1962, made a point of studying Jeff Kent's hitting technique during batting practice Friday night, before Davis took part in pregame ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of the 1965 World Series championship season.
"Kent's a patient hitter," observed Davis, who became a personal hitting coach after his playing days. "He doesn't get too excited. Good hitters don't. Guys like [Hank] Aaron, [Willie] Mays. This guy knows how to drive in runs. I always felt that when there was a run to be driven in, I saw dollar signs."
That Davis' record still stands is an indicator of how remarkable that record was. The closest any Dodger has come since was Shawn Green's 125 in 2001. The best prior to that was Roy Campanella's 142 in 1953. Kent is on pace for 132 this year.
Davis' record came at a time when pitching generally dominated hitting and he played home games in a new, pitcher-friendly ballpark. OK, it also was an expansion year, with the New York Mets and Houston Astros debuting. He still had 12 RBIs more than the next closest player that year, Mays.
"It was just one of those years," said Davis. "Maury was stealing 104 bases and I had Frank Howard (119 RBIs) batting behind me. We had Willie Davis and Ron Fairly and John Roseboro. We had a good lineup and I had guys on base ahead of me. I remember getting a bloop single and driving in three runs. Everything went right -- until the playoffs."
That would be the sudden-death playoffs against the Giants that prevented the 1962 Dodgers from advancing to the World Series.
Bradley improved: Disabled outfielder Milton Bradley reported a "breakthrough" in his recovery from a tear in a finger ligament and he's started swinging a bat again, predicting he could return to the lineup by next weekend.
"It just stopped hurting last night around 6 o'clock," said Bradley, who suffered the injury on a swing two weeks ago. "Look at this -- I'm swinging this bat. You're a witness."
Tracy said Bradley currently has better strength swinging right-handed than left-handed.
More injury news: Disabled starting pitcher Odalis Perez will throw another bullpen session Sunday, after which it will be determined if he's ready to start an injury rehabilitation assignment.
Speaking of a rehab assignment, Elmer Dessens makes another start for Las Vegas on Sunday with a target of 65-70 pitches, after which he could be activated. Dessens would then be a candidate to start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday or Saturday.
Tracy said those games would be started by some combination of Dessens, D.J. Houlton and Derek Thompson. Perez is not a candidate.
Disabled catcher Paul Bako continues to make solid progress in his recovery from a sprained knee, and will get the acid test catching a bullpen session Tuesday in Kansas City.
Disabled pitcher Wilson Alvarez and outfielder Ricky Ledee will not make the trip to Kansas City.
Choi: Tracy said Hee-Seop Choi's walk-off home run against Terry Mulholland on Friday night could lead to a start against a left-handed pitcher, should one show up in road Interleague games next week.
"With the designated hitter, it could afford us the opportunity to see where Hee-Seop is on a regular basis against left-handed pitching, and we'll look into that," Tracy said.
Tracy added that Choi's ability to hit left-handed pitching is not his only consideration in deciding who starts at first base.
"It's not so much my hesitancy about starting him against left-handed pitching, rather it's to get Olmedo Saenz at-bats that also make him a better pinch-hitter," he said.
Choi has 13 of 148 at-bats this year against left-handed pitching.
Penny's contract: Indications are that Brad Penny's contract extension will be announced Sunday. Penny will receive three years guaranteed at $25 million with a fourth-year option that would push the total package value to $32 million.
Coming up: Houlton gets his second Major League start Sunday against the Twins. "I'm not going to change anything from the first [start], it was pretty successful," said Houlton, who limited Milwaukee to one run in 5 1/3 innings. "I'm not worried about the next one or the first one. I'm just enjoying it."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
