First wave of Dodgers call-ups arrive, sans Carlos Triunfel (designated for assignment).

Posted on September 1, 2014 by J.P. Hoornstra

Alex Guerrero hit four home runs in his final 10 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. (Associated Press photo)

Of all the transactions the Dodgers made Monday, when rosters were allowed to expand past the previous 25-man limit, only one could be considered a surprise.

Infielder Carlos Triunfel, whom the Dodgers claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in April, was designated for assignment.

By removing Triunfel from the 40-man roster, the Dodgers were able to add Joc Pederson to their 40-man roster. Pederson was joined by infielder Alex Guerrero, catcher Tim Federowicz and pitcher Yimi Garcia on the Albuquerque-to-Los Angeles express Monday. Infielders Miguel Rojas and Erisbel Arruebarrena and pitcher Carlos Frias are expected to arrive in the Dodgers’ clubhouse tomorrow.

Pederson and Garcia will be making their major-league debuts.

Continue reading “First wave of Dodgers call-ups arrive, sans Carlos Triunfel (designated for assignment).” »

Dodgers’ September call-ups: A look to the not-too-distant future. Update.

Posted on August 31, 2014 by J.P. Hoornstra

Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson has a .307/.438/.589 slash line for Triple-A Albuquerque this season, and has stolen 30 bases in 43 attempts. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)

Before Saturday’s game, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly provided the closest thing to a clue about who will be called up from the minor leagues on Monday, when teams are allowed to carry every player on their 40-man roster to every game for the remainder of the season.

(As an aside, the Dodgers play a September series in Chicago against the Cubs. Wrigley Field’s visiting clubhouse is the smallest in the major leagues. This could become baseball’s equivalent of a clown car and I can’t wait to find out how it’ll look.)

Mattingly didn’t name names, but said “I think it’s maybe five or six (players),” noting that injuries could affect the number.

Continue reading “Dodgers’ September call-ups: A look to the not-too-distant future. Update.” »

Erisbel Arruebarrena gives Dodgers a blank slate at the plate.

Posted on August 19, 2014 by J.P. Hoornstra

The Dodgers recalled Erisbel Arruebarrena from the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, where he had been rehabbing. Evidently, the rookie shortstop’s sore shoulder was the only reason he wasn’t recalled sooner. Carlos Triunfel, who got the call-up Saturday when Juan Uribe was placed on the 15-day disabled list, was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Arruebarrena has played some second base and third base this season for Triple-A Albuquerque. His job with the Dodgers will be at shortstop, where he saw action in eight games in May and June, making no errors and batting .313 (5 for 16).
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Justin Turner returns from the disabled list; Carlos Triunfel optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Posted on July 18, 2014 by J.P. Hoornstra

Justin Turner missed the last 14 games with a left hamstring strain. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff photographer)

ST. LOUIS>>The Dodgers reinstated infielder Justin Turner from the 15-day disabled list (left hamstring strain) and optioned infielder Carlos Triunfel to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Turner strained his left hamstring on June 29 and missed 14 games. He’s batting .302 with three home runs, 10 doubles and 21 RBIs in 59 games in his first season as a Dodger, and has a .385 (15 for 39) average with runners in scoring position.

Turner appeared in two rehab games at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday and Monday and went a combined 1-for-5 with a run and two walks for the Quakes.

Triunfel has appeared in 11 games in four stints with the Dodgers, collecting two hits in 14 at-bats (.143). Turner isn’t in the Dodgers’ starting lineup tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals, but gives Don Mattingly a quality right-handed pinch hitting option off the bench in addition to the left-handed swinging Carl Crawford.

With Miguel Rojas starting at shortstop again, taking stock of the Dodgers’ backup infielders.

Posted on July 11, 2014 by J.P. Hoornstra

Miguel Rojas is hitting .232 in his first 30 major-league games. (Associated Press photo)

It’s reached the juncture, again, where Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is being propped up by shoulder injections. The Dodgers seem to think that last night’s injection hit the correct spot. Time will tell.

On Friday, for the fourth time in the last five games, Ramirez wasn’t in the Dodgers’ lineup. Miguel Rojas was. Ramirez’s health seems to be stuck on day-to-day, so it’s worth examining where his backups stand in what’s become a competition for fairly regular playing time.
Continue reading “With Miguel Rojas starting at shortstop again, taking stock of the Dodgers’ backup infielders.” »

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Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball with J.P. Hoornstra

Tag Archives: Carlos Triunfel

First wave of Dodgers call-ups arrive, sans Carlos Triunfel (designated for assignment).

Dodgers’ September call-ups: A look to the not-too-distant future. Update.

Erisbel Arruebarrena gives Dodgers a blank slate at the plate.

Justin Turner returns from the disabled list; Carlos Triunfel optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

With Miguel Rojas starting at shortstop again, taking stock of the Dodgers’ backup infielders.