Yaisel Sierra faces live batters for first time since joining Dodgers.


GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers pitcher Yaisel Sierra threw batting practice at Camelback Ranch on Saturday, the first time the Cuban right-hander has faced live hitters since arriving in camp.

Sierra faced two minor leaguers, Garrett Hope and Gage Green, in a fairly brisk “inning” and did not allow any hard contact of note. He induced some swings and misses with practically the entire Dodgers front office watching from behind the batting cage. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt also watched closely.

“His 2-seam life was really impressive,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “His delivery was much cleaner and more efficient. I thought he looked really good today.”

Sierra is on a starter’s program and will probably need to pitch two “innings” before he sees any Cactus League game action. Friedman still expects that Sierra will debut before camp breaks.

“We want to make sure to put him in the best position, him hitting here later than other guys,” Friedman said. “Even after we signed him, we got him details on our throwing progression and plan, but even that was later than other guys started.”

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.