Carl Crawford has spent 16 days on the disabled list this year with a back injury after missing 75 games last year with an oblique injury. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)
DENVER — The American and National League All-Star ballots were revealed Sunday. You can vote up to 35 times online, right here.
The only real surprise among the Dodgers on the ballot is Howie Kendrick, who is listed as an outfielder. The facts check out. Kendrick has played all or part of seven different games in left field this season, more than any position. Among this year’s Dodgers, only Kiké Hernandez has started more games in left this season (6) than Kendrick (5). But the optics seem a bit off, given that Kendrick had 26 games of experience in left field prior to this season and 1,080 at second base.
Manager Dave Roberts got a chuckle out of it this morning:
In any event, here are the other Dodgers on the All-Star ballot by position:
Continue reading “All-Star ballot is finalized; Howie Kendrick is listed as an outfielder.” »
Justin Turner tags out out the Colorado Rockies’ Trevor Story on a failed triple attempt in the fifth inning Friday. Yasiel Puig got the assist on the play. (Getty Images)
DENVER — Justin Turner is not in the Dodgers’ lineup Saturday, one day after he was spiked in the foot near his left big toe by Colorado Rockies catcher Tony Wolters.
Turner was hopeful that he would be available off the bench later in the day. Howie Kendrick is replacing him at third base, with Kiké Hernandez filling in for Kendrick in left.
Turner said Wolters spiked him accidentally — and literally punctured his cleat — while stepping to make a throw in the middle of the Dodgers’ 7-5 loss.
Howie Kendrick hadn’t played left field in a game since 2013 before this month. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)
DENVER — The left field foul pole at Coors Field sits 347 feet down the line. Only Wrigley Field’s is farther from home plate among National League parks.
The outfield wall then just out at a steep angle to a power alley that sits 390 feet from home. It’s much bigger than right field here and bigger than almost any other left field in baseball. Here’s a nifty page for making park-to-park comparisons. Take a few minutes to check it out. I’ll wait right here.
The man responsible for patrolling left field today is Howie Kendrick, a second baseman by trade. Manager Dave Roberts has professed confidence in Kendrick every step of the way since Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke went on the disabled list, and Friday was no different.
“There’s no panic,” Roberts said. “He’s going out there and preparing. He’s played left field before in the big leagues. I trust the player. I expect him to make plays and be good out there.”
Continue reading “Why Howie Kendrick playing left field for the Dodgers at Coors Field matters.” »
Justin Turner is not in the Dodgers’ lineup Thursday, one day after he was hit by two pitches in the Dodgers’ 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Continue reading “Dodgers’ Justin Turner held out of lineup but expected back tomorrow.” »