Game 88: The Dodgers have 99 problems, and Hyun-Jin Ryu was one Thursday.

Hyun-Jin Ryu

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s debut effort did not resemble his routinely stellar performances of 2013 and 2014 in a 6-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. (Keith Birmingham/Staff photographer)

The Dodgers are still waiting for the Hyun-Jin Ryu of 2013 and 2014 after his 2016 debut, a 6-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday. Columnist Mark Whicker isn’t buying the Dodgers’ optimism over Ryu’s return.

The box score is here. The photo gallery is here.

Corey Seager doesn’t think the Home Run Derby on Monday will ruin his swing.

Pitching prospect Josh Sborz finds himself in a no-win situation of sorts.

What they were saying postgame:
Continue reading “Game 88: The Dodgers have 99 problems, and Hyun-Jin Ryu was one Thursday.” »

Grant Holmes, Cody Bellinger, Josh Sborz, Philip Pfeifer headline fall instructional league roster.

Grant Holmes

Pitcher Grant Holmes, the Dodgers’ first-round pick in the 2014 draft, has been invited to the upcoming Fall Instructional League. (Getty Images)

The Dodgers have invited 60 minor league prospects to their annual Fall Instructional League, which begins next week at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Continue reading “Grant Holmes, Cody Bellinger, Josh Sborz, Philip Pfeifer headline fall instructional league roster.” »

Dodgers go 1-for-2 signing top draft picks ahead of deadline.

Kyle Funkhouser

Louisville pitcher Kyle Funkhouser is the only one of the Dodgers’ first 10 picks in the June draft who didn’t sign. (Associated Press photo)

The Dodgers signed the first player they chose in the June draft, Vanderbilt pitcher Walker Buehler, but not the second, Louisville pitcher Kyle Funkhouser.

Buehler, the 24th overall pick, received a $1.78 million signing bonus — $314,000 below the maximum. Why the steep discount?

According to multiple reports, Buehler has a torn ligament in his right elbow that will require Tommy John surgery. The procedure typically knocks pitchers out of action for 12 months or more.

Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi didn’t comment on the reports.
Continue reading “Dodgers go 1-for-2 signing top draft picks ahead of deadline.” »

Dodgers sign 2015 draft picks Josh Sborz, Philip Pfeifer.

The Dodgers announced they’ve signed two of their top five picks from the June draft, pitcher Josh Sborz from the University of Virginia (Compensation Round 2B) and left-handed pitcher Philip Pfeifer from Vanderbilt University (3rd round).

Both were tied up after the draft because they participated in the College World Series. Sborz was named the MVP after leading Virginia to the national title.

Both of the Dodgers’ first two picks, college pitchers Walker Buehler (24th overall) and Kyle Funkhouser (35th) remain unsigned. Buehler, from Vanderbilt, also pitched in the College World Series.

The Dodgers also announced the signing of non-drafted free agent Brian Bass, a right-handed pitcher from Faulkner University (Alabama).

Overall, the Dodgers have signed 32 of their 42 draft picks.

Dodgers first-round draft pick Walker Buehler pitches Vanderbilt into CWS final.

Walker Buehler, the Vanderbilt pitcher whom the Dodgers chose with their first-round pick in the amateur draft this month, pitched Vanderbilt into the College World Series final by beating TCU on Friday.

Buehler allowed four hits and a run and struck out eight in 6 ⅔ innings. It was his first game action since June 1.

Vanderbilt will play the winner of Saturday’s game between Virginia and Florida for the NCAA championship. The Virginia club features pitcher Josh Sborz, whom the Dodgers drafted 74th overall in the compensation round of the draft.