DeWitt recalled to replace DLed Milton

Eric Milton is headed back to the disabled list, and the Dodgers will replace him by augmenting the bench with Blake DeWitt. The Dodgers have use for another left-handed bat off the bench, especially with Juan Pierre continuing to caddy for Manny Ramirez. Ramirez is on the bench today, as is second baseman Orlando Hudson, who might get more rest this weekend than he'll get during the All-Star break.

Update: From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

A suspended Manny Ramirez had 50 games to keep himself in shape, but his absence from Sunday's lineup because of sore legs contributed to a roster move Sunday and manager Joe Torre said he's likely to ration the outfielder's playing time until the All-Star break. ... To make room for DeWitt, the club returned pitcher Eric Milton to the disabled list with a thoracic back injury "that never went away," according to manager Joe Torre.

Photo: Blake DeWitt is trying to raise his chances of staying with the Dodgers by playing three infield positions.Credit: Chris Carlson / AP

Dodgers at Padres,
1:10 p.m.
Today's lineup

Rafael Furcal, SS Juan Pierre, LF James Loney, 1B Casey Blake, 3B Andre Ethier, RF Russell Martin, C Matt Kemp, CF Juan Castro, 2B Chad Billingsley, P.

Comments

[natepurcell]

Mystery Minor Leaguer from last post is no other than forgotten Chris Withrow.

If he stays healthy, I see a breakout year for him in 2010 in AA. Looking at his videos from youtube this year, he still has a great delivery and stuff. He just needs refinement and to never go scuba diving ever again.

[Michael]

I wonder if Manny will be a late game replacement for Pierre. I think he'll pinch hit at the very least.

[nsxtasy]

Did Milton's injury actually start causing problems again? I thought he was ready to pitch - out of the bullpen until the fifth starter is needed this coming Saturday. No?

Granted, I think they needed another bat on the bench due to Vargas being reactivated and Mitch Jones getting sent down. They could have brought Mitch back, if they wanted; granted, he doesn't play infield, but with the infield backup options they already have (Castro, Loretta, and letting Martin play third), any bat would do. Nothing against DeWitt, but I thought the whole idea of sending him back down to ABQ last time was to give him more playing time and experience.

Any guess as to the starter for this Saturday? Vargas? Weaver? Stults? MacDonald?

[Craig88USC]

Pierre is losing his leadoff job too. Bad week to be Juan, I guess.

[Michael]

I think Weaver gets the start. He's done well this year.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Mitch Jones couldn't be brought back since he was DFA'd.

[Craig88USC]

Dream Weaver if Stultsy ain't right yet.

[nsxtasy]

I agree that Weaver has done well and deserves the start.

Sorry, I forgot about Jones being DFA'ed.

>> Has anyone noticed that the free agent market this offseason is horrible?

The biggest reason for that is that so many teams are in contention. (And the biggest reason for so many teams in contention is that so few teams are way out in front.) If you're 4-6 games out of first place, there's still a hope of making the playoffs. Only seven of the 30 teams are really out of it, and in a position where they might want to trade established stars for prospects, and some of those don't even have stars to trade. Heck, even the Pirates are only six games out of first (and may be the overachiever team thus far this year, even more so than the Gnats).

[Icaros]

I remember seeing a box score earlier this year, I think in relief of a Kuroda rehab start, where Withrow K'd 10 in 5 innings.

[twerp]

NPUT 12:14

Twerp post 12:19

Slipping a bit in my bid to regain LATd all-star status. Five minutes that time. LATd once yesterday the very same minute. To make the LATd all-star team you need a blend of timing, skill, and talent, I tells ya.

Anyhow, repost:

Nate, what do you, Canuck, or anyone else think upside for Bryce Bentz is?

After this season for MTSU and beyond he's not exactly unknown any longer. But that doesn't guarantee anything. Seems like he's a sophomore?

[Craig88USC]

Today's as good as any for the Giants to lose again. I love the 7+ games leads
and am getting spoiled. Not a big fan of the creeping around my back door 6.5 lead. ; )

[nsxtasy]

I wouldn't be surprised if MacDonald got the start, though. It seems like since his earlier poor stint, he's come around more in line with his potential.

Of course, if that happens, that also means one less bullpen arm to take the load off BelTRon.

[natepurcell]

heres a link to a Withrow video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq6HnOmQbRc

Withrow's actually hit the 10k mark in 3 games this year. the most recent being yesterday.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Buck Martinez is worried that few current players will want to become managers or coaches. He worries about a brain drain of a sort.

I believe this is a problem that doesn't exist or will never exist.

[GoBears]

LATd myself:

I agree with Eric Enders and PSmith about this. In particular, the notion that a good 2-3 months is the only important criterion seems goofy to me. Do July-August-September-October not matter for All-Star consideration? Even people who insist that the ASG isn't about careers, but about current excellence should consider performance since the last ASG (2nd half last year + 1st half this year), even though that might require a little arithmetic.

If we're going to have such an exhibition game at all, we should allow fans to pick the folks they deem to be the best players in baseball, not the guys who had the best recent 12 weeks. Who cares if they "get it right?" It absolutely is a popularity contest. That's fine. And heck, expand the rosters to 35. Who cares if it's not the same as the games that count? Who cares if not everyone plays? If it's an honor, then it's an honor to be selected. With league expansion and international participation, there should be more all stars than 60-70 yrs ago. Most importantly, get rid of the link to HFA in the World Series. That's just inane.

[underdog]

Really glad to see DeWitt back, partially because the bench has been so thin lately. He can give them a better bat as a fill in at 2nd, too, or spell the Beard, keeping Loretta as a PH.

[Craig88USC]

...I agree, UD - plus maybe give the O-Dog even more days off. He looks a little like a worn out dog halfway through.

[GoBears]

"...spell the Beard..."

Nice.

[nsxtasy]

Withrow is 5-5 with a 5.23 ERA for the Inland Empire 66ers.

I wonder if Schlitchling will get another shot this year...

[Michael]

Carrying 13 pitchers really doesn't make a lot of sense, so I agree that this is a good move to bring DeWitt back.

[natepurcell]

twerp,

I don't know too much about Bryce Brentz besides his stats. Sorry!

[Icaros]

2011?

Billingsley, Kershaw, Withrow, Elbert, McDonald

[natepurcell]

**Withrow is 5-5 with a 5.23 ERA for the Inland Empire 66ers.**

His peripherals support an era below 3.5

He has been really unlucky this year in the BABIP department. I also just think the fielders behind him are pretty horrible.

[Craig88USC]

But the All Star Game DOES count now, my friend.

[natepurcell]

2011 is too far away to think about.

For 2010 though, we have Billz, Kuroda and Kershaw as starters set in stone.

I'm hoping Elbert can take Wolf's spot and we pick up some compensation for Wolf. Elbert turns 24 this august, pretty soon it's going to be time to let him sink or swim before his window passes him by and his trade value becomes worthless.

[Tripon]

2011?

Billingsley, Kershaw, Withrow, Elbert, McDonald

Posted by: Icaros | July 05, 2009 at 12:45 PM

That's assuming nobody is traded, or management decides they like Wolf, Kuroda enough in the next 3 years to sign an extension.

Personally, I think Elbert and McDonald are trade bait for the first bidder to improve the 2009 team.

[Jon Weisman]

From Gurnick's blog: "A suspended Manny Ramirez had 50 games to keep himself in shape, but his absence from Sunday's lineup because of sore legs contributed to a roster move Sunday and manager Joe Torre said he's likely to ration the outfielder's playing time until the All-Star break. ... To make room for DeWitt, the club returned pitcher Eric Milton to the disabled list with a thoracic back injury "that never went away," according to manager Joe Torre."

[Tripon]

If it never went away, why did they activate Milton in the first place?

[Craig88USC]

I'm looking for Josh Lindblom to contend for 2010 LA Dodger starter. But that's just me.

[natepurcell]

"Personally, I think Elbert and McDonald are trade bait for the first bidder to improve the 2009 team."

I just don't see the available talent pool to warrant trading Elbert and McDonald. I mean, I could see them offering both for Cliff Lee but the Indians would probably balk because they're stupid and believe they can get a Kershaw type for Lee...laughable.

[regfairfield]

Well they did get their top prospect for Casey Blake, so it can't hurt to ask.

[Craig88USC]

Looks like Central leader Milwaukee is giving up their spot today to St. Louis.

[natepurcell]

I was the first person to agonize losing Santana for Blake but it was a different situation than asking for Kershaw.

[GoBears]

But the All Star Game DOES count now, my friend.

Posted by: Craig88USC | July 05, 2009 at 12:48 PM

1. But it shouldn't. It's an absurdity that potentially creates weird incentives for managers and players with no chance of being in the WS. And it seems to raise the stakes of who is snubbed, but:

2. The way in which it counts has no relevance whatsoever on arguments over the 26th man on the team. Is anyone really going to argue that the choice, say, of Pence over Kemp or Howard over Derrek Lee changes the probability of the Dodgers having HFA in the World Series?

[Craig88USC]

Uh ok.

[GoBears]

Or maybe Craig88 was just yanking my chain. In which case... well played my friend.

[Bluebleeder]

Congrats to Bills, Brox & Orlando Hudson!

[Phenomenal Smith]

I have yet to see any ASG manager use strategy in a way that maximizes his team's chances of winning. They still just try to get as many people to play as possible.

Since my job has required me to work Tuesday nights for several years, it's been a long time since I've seen an All-Star Game. I think the last one I saw was in 2001 when I was on vacation.

[Alex41592]

It looks like Manny at some point in today's game will pinch hit and stay in the game. Sort of reverse of how it was in the first two games. Pierre will start and Manny will come in late in the game should the game dictate such a move.

[Tripon]

To get Clayton Kershaw, the Indians will have to give up Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, and Matt LaPorta.

[Bluebleeder]

Take one for the team Furcal!!

[Phenomenal Smith]

The red hats and the camouflage uniforms are not a good combo.

[nsxtasy]

What's the story with the ability to bring up minor league players who aren't on the 40-man MLB roster? Can you bring them up as long as you remove someone else from the roster, and if so, what does that do to the player(s) you remove?

I see that some of the best players on the 'topes - Dee Brown, Hector Luna, Erick Threets, Hyang-Nam Choi - aren't on the 40-man roster...

[Phenomenal Smith]

Does anyone else have Jamie Jarrin in the background of their audio feed behind Vin Scully?

[LABits]

Anyone else hearing Jaime Jarrin under Vin's call on the broadcast?

[Michael]

The camouflage unis are not a good match for anything. By far the worst tops in the game.

[Icaros]

Nice combo of camo jerseys with the red caps for SD.

[Phenomenal Smith]

LABits has confirmed that I'm not schizophrenic.

Or perhaps we both are.

[Craig88USC]

You made a strong argument but it is what it is. Strong 1st halves can land you on the team. Hot streaks can carry over into the ASG. I've seen it many many times whether it be hot pitchers or batters on a role for that period only. That said, I see your points too, GBear. : ).

[Icaros]

Late with the sarcasm for me.

[Craig88USC]

Who got that hit?

[Craig88USC]

C'mon Big James...

[Phenomenal Smith]

Edwin Moreno was DFA'd by the Padres to make room for AAA catcher Jose Lobaton.

[nsxtasy]

>> Who got that hit?

Pierre got the hit, and stole second.

[Craig88USC]

Jaime - (ssh…quiet!)

[Phenomenal Smith]

Craig88USC forgot to use his "rhetorical question" emoticon.

[Blue Gal]

The double audio feed problem seems to have been fixed.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Either the audio feed got fixed or that Haldol I took was kicking in.

[Craig88USC]

Wasted Pierre.

[Tripon]

I have yet to see any ASG manager use strategy in a way that maximizes his team's chances of winning. They still just try to get as many people to play as possible.

Posted by: Phenomenal Smith | July 05, 2009 at 01:04 PM

Hurdle playing Martin for 9 innings last year?

[Ollie]

woohoo, great snag

[Alex41592]

Loney with the nice diving catch.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Didn't the NL just have two catchers last year? So Hurdle just tried to divide the innings in half. He just didn't expect the game to go so long.

[Michael]

Ethier!!!!

[Tripon]

Andre Ethier!!!!!

[Ollie]

Blast!

[Alex41592]

Holy cow what a bomb by Ethier!

[Bluebleeder]

Wow. That thing was crushed.

[Blue Gal]

'Dre dinger! Hearing Espanol again but it's kinda cool.

[Tripon]

Bob, they had 3.

Soto started the game, Martin played for 9 innings, and McCann ended the game catching 1 and 2/3 innings, if I remember correctly.

[Bob Hendley]

Like to see the Dodgers in Air Force camo, but with blue hats. 8-p

[Bluebleeder]

Is it only my t.v. Im hearing Jaime Jarrin at a distance?

[Alex41592]

I believe the N.L had three catchers because McCann was behind the plate when the game ended.

I think Soto started.

[Bob Hendley]

Dre!

[Icaros]

It'll be disappointing if Andre doesn't hit at least one more today.

[Zach]

I'm liking this whole Eithier hitting his prime thing. On pace for 32 homers. Wowie, wow, wow.

[Tripon]

Vin Scully said the homerun was estimated to be 427 feet

[Icaros]

Bison's hand was in there.

[Sam DC]

The putt Tiger just made on the 10th was unbelievable. Over this crazy ridge.

[Zach]

Does anyone know if there is anyway to get free online radio broadcasts of the Dodgers?
Maybe on 1450 The Boomer or something?

[Tripon]

Umpires can't fool replay.

[Phenomenal Smith]

All online streaming broadcasts of MLB games are controlled by MLB.com.

Legally.

[Sam DC]

Oh dear, and on the 11th he appears to have landed his ball inside a bush.

[Tripon]

Ethier helping his UZR today.

[Icaros]

Take that, UZR!

[Phenomenal Smith]

Martin caught 10 innings in last year's ASG. McCann was being saved for an emergency.

http://tinyurl.com/ozrelm

[Zach]

Thanks Bob. I'd like to think that if Vin had a say in who controls his art, he would have let everyone enjoy it for free.

Dangit. Gameday it is then.

[Zach]

Thanks Bob. I'd like to think that if Vin had a say in who controls his art, he would have let everyone enjoy it for free.

Dangit. Gameday it is then.

[Zach]

Hopefully Kershaw is taking notes on Chad's pitching today. Looking (vitually anyway) pretty efficient on gameday so far.

[Craig88USC]

Bills bat!

[Ollie]

just a leadoff double form the pitcher, you've got to reward him and cash him in boys

[Tripon]

Billingsley double.

[Zach]

Sorry for the mulitude of posts, guys. I'm at work and a little bored.
So, Chads batting .233, huh. Does anyone ever talk about him as a "good hitting" pitcher?
Or is that just another underated part of his game?
I do believe this is his best year, hitting wise, though thus far.

[Craig88USC]

C'mon, Mini Manny...

[Tripon]

Juan Pierre is unclutch.

[Tripon]

Oh come on Dodgers!

[Icaros]

Why is it so hard to hit a lazy fly ball?

[Craig88USC]

UFC Chad!

[Tripon]

That's how you do it!

[Guru]

Who's the genius that thought of that SD uni?