Kenley Jansen remains unsigned going into the final day of the Winter Meetings. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)
And then there was one.
On the same day closer Wade Davis was traded to the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees were reportedly finalizing a five-year, $86 million contract with Aroldis Chapman. With Davis and Chapman’s fate settled, Kenley Jansen remains baseball’s last premier closer whose 2017 address is unsettled.
Here’s where things stand with Jansen and the Dodgers:
Miami Marlins right-hander Jose Urena was a fountain of dominance in 8 ⅔ shutout innings Sunday against the Dodgers. (Getty Images)
Dave Roberts didn’t sleep well afterward, but had no regrets about removing Rich Hill in the middle of a perfect game Saturday.
A blister on Rich Hill’s left index finger caused enough concern that Dave Roberts removed him after seven perfect innings Saturday. (Getty Images)
Rich Hill was removed after throwing seven perfect innings in the Dodgers’ 5-0 win over the Miami Marlins. The box score is here.
In a crowded, productive outfield, Andre Ethier must figure out a way to contribute now that he’s back.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw meets with catcher Yasmani Grandal during the Dodgers’ 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday. (Getty Images)
Clayton Kershaw‘s return to the mound lasted only three innings, and Jose Fernandez got the better of the aces’ duel in a 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. The box score is here.
While Kershaw was out, the Dodgers’ offense was humming along nicely.
Ross Stripling is one of six different pitchers who will start for the Dodgers in a six-game stretch this week. (Associated Press photo)
Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart are scheduled to start the next two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That will complete a streak of four straight rookie pitchers (Kenta Maeda today, Jose De Leon yesterday) who will have started a game with the Dodgers nursing a small lead in the National League West standings.
What’s more, the Dodgers are scheduled to use a different starting pitcher in all six games they will play this week.
However, things are about to get normal. (Normal-ish, at least.) After an off-day Thursday, the Dodgers travel to Miami to kick off a 10-game road trip. Here are the probable matchups for that series:
Friday: Clayton Kershaw – Jose Fernandez
Saturday: Rich Hill – Tom Koehler
Sunday: Maeda – Jake Esch
Continue reading “The Dodgers’ starting rotation is starting to rotate on a normal-ish basis.” »