A Dodgers pitcher is retiring — sort of.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Dan Haren, whose 2015 salary was paid by the Dodgers under the terms of a trade last December with the Miami Marlins, is retiring after this season according to multiple reports.

Haren is not expected to pitch for the Chicago Cubs this postseason; the Cubs play the Pirates in the National League wild card game Tuesday. He went 11-9 with a 3.60 ERA in 32 starts for the Cubs and Marlins this season. Last year, his only season in Los Angeles, Haren was 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA.

Dan Haren downplays return to Dodger Stadium

Dan Haren

Former Dodger Dan Haren is off to a 4-1 start with the Miami Marlins and will get the start against the Dodgers on Tuesday. (Associated Press)

Former Bishop Amat and Pepperdine baseball star Dan Haren also had a homecoming of sorts, returning to Dodger Stadium for the first time since the offseason trade that sent Haren and Dee Gordon to the Miami Marlins.

Like Gordon, Haren has blazed to an impressive start with the Marlins, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.68 ERA and 24 strikeouts and eight walks in 37 innings. He also has a microscopic 0.92 WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched).

But Haren Continue reading “Dan Haren downplays return to Dodger Stadium” »

You might as well laugh: Day 3 of the Winter Meetings, for anyone who missed it.

True story: My wife and I share a birthday. Same exact date, three hours apart to the minute.

Wednesday was our birthday. We didn’t get to spend the day together last year. This year, a simple dinner would do. So I told my editor months ago that I was booking a three-night stay at the Winter Meetings hotel, then taking off Wednesday night. Play it by ear Thursday.

I pulled out of San Diego with the Jimmy Rollins trade still simmering, not looking like it would be resolved Wednesday, and Dee Gordon and Dan Haren firmly about to become Marlins. Checked with sources, felt good about the story, filed it at a Starbucks in Temecula, barely caught wind of the Brandon McCarthy signing before I turned off my iPhone. Because no good husband would constantly check his iPhone looking at sports news or doing work stuff during the birthday dinner.

Heh.

In case you missed it, this is how possibly the greatest one-day roster makeover in the history of the Dodgers franchise unfolded:
Continue reading “You might as well laugh: Day 3 of the Winter Meetings, for anyone who missed it.” »

Dan Haren exercises his $10 million player option for 2015.

Dan Haren

Dan Haren matched Zack Greinke for the team lead with 32 starts in 2014. (Associated Press photo)

Dan Haren has exercised his $10 million player option to pitch for the Dodgers in 2015. The decision comes as no surprise, and ensures that the Dodgers’ top four starters will return barring any trades.
Continue reading “Dan Haren exercises his $10 million player option for 2015.” »

Dodgers pitcher Dan Haren has minor surgery.

Dan Haren

Dodgers pitcher Dan Haren matched Zack Greinke for the team lead with 32 starts in 2014. (Associated Press photo)

Dan Haren underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder this morning in a procedure performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers announced.

The 30-minute procedure was to clean out bursitis and the AC joint. He will start his rehab in about one week and is expected to be ready for competition at the start of spring training.

Haren, 34, went 13-11 with a 4.02 earned-run average in 32 starts last season. The right-hander was on the roster but did not make a start in the Dodgers’ NLDS loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. By pitching 186 innings, Haren triggered a player option for the 2015 season. He hasn’t formally exercised the contract option yet.