Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw Placed on IL With Toe Injury; Ben Casparius Recalled
Aug 31, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 30: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Clayton Kershaw once again.
David Vassegh of SportsNet LA reported that the southpaw was headed to the injured list due to overnight swelling in his left big toe. The team will call up Ben Casparius to replace him on the roster.
Clayton Kershaw has been placed on IL because of swelling over night in his left big toe. Ben Casparius has been recalled and active. #Dodgers#DBacks
Kershaw exited the Dodgers Friday matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks with toe pain, which preceded this injury announcement.
Kershaw spoke about the toe pain, saying it limited his ability to push off the mound.
"I just couldn't really push off," Kershaw said, per Michael Reynolds of MLB.com. "It's frustrating when everything else seems to be feeling great. No matter what I did, I couldn't find a comfortable way to push off on my toe. Super frustrating."
Kershaw is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts in 2024. He did not make his season debut until July 25 after being on the IL due to offseason shoulder surgery. The three-time Cy Young winner is currently considered "day-to-day."
Casparius has yet to make his MLB debut. He has sported a 6-4 record with a 3.31 ERA across two levels of the minors in 2024. The 25-year-old is listed as the No. 23 prospect in the Dodgers system.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Signs Exclusive Global Trading Card Contract with Topps
Aug 29, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his solo home run, his 42nd of the season, to take a 1-0 lead over the Baltimore Orioles, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has expanded his Fanatics partnership to include trading cards.
Per ESPN's Dan Hajducky, Ohtani has signed a long-term deal with Topps for global exclusive trading cards.
"Ohtani's been a part of the Topps family since he signed with the Angels in late 2017, early 2018, so this deal is super important to us," David Leiner, president of trading cards at Fanatics Collectibles, said of the agreement. "Best player in the game, unique, global player, who pitches and hits. You've got to have this guy in product, you've got to have his autographs and memorabilia for fans to chase."
Leiner added the company is already cooking up "some fun stuff" featuring Ohtani when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs start the 2025 MLB season at the Tokyo Dome.
Fanatics purchased Topps in 2022 to add trading cards and memorabilia to its list of endeavors that already included merchandise and apparel.
Ohtani originally signed an exclusive memorabilia contract with Fanatics in 2021. Signed jerseys, helmets, coins, photos and balls were among the items included in that agreement, but there was no deal for sports cards.
Topps has been releasing licensed Ohtani cards since 2017 prior to his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels.
Hajducky noted this new agreement will include exclusive autographs, game-used memorabilia cards; cards centered around memorable moments and achievements; and U.S.- and Japan-based products.
Ohtani joins a group of athletes that includes his former Angels teammate Mike Trout and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James to have exclusive trading card contracts with Topps.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers fans flocked to Dodger Stadium in order to receive Shohei Ohtani's bobblehead on Wednesday night.
This line for Shohei Ohtani's bobblehead night...
Fans started lining up SEVEN HOURS before the game 😅 @BRWalkoff
First pitch from Dodger Stadium is in 3 1/2 hours, and this is just a sampling of the people lining up to walk through the gates and obtain a Shohei Ohtani bobblehead. Every gate has thousands of people waiting outside of it. pic.twitter.com/freVsOoMPj
The first 40,000 fans in attendance for Los Angeles' clash with the Baltimore Orioles will secure a bobblehead featuring the two-way superstar as well as his dog, Decoy.
That alone might have been well worth the price of admission for fans.
Meanwhile, even manager Dave Roberts had a difficult time entering the stadium due to the long lines.
"I'm just happy that I made it," Roberts said, per Scott Chiusano of MLB.com. "It's unbelievable. I don't know if it was Shohei or Decoy or a combo, but there's a high demand for this dang bobblehead. It took me forever to get inside Dodger Stadium."
The popularity of Ohtani's dog has grown in popularity since he revealed his companion after accepting the 2023 American League MVP award. The four-time All-Star recently wore cleats inspired by Decoy during MLB Players' Weekend.
Even though he won't be returning to the mound until the 2025 season, Ohtani is in the midst of an incredible year at the plate. He's hitting .294 with 41 home runs and 94 RBIs, posting a National League-leading .994 OPS.
The 30-year-old also became the sixth player in MLB history to record at least 40 steals to go along with 40 homers in a single season on Friday.
Ohtani's Dodgers career is off to an exceptional start, and it's clear that fans are already infatuated with him as well as Decoy.
Giants' Blake Snell Calls Out D-Backs' Jordan Montgomery for Bashing MLB Agent Boras
Aug 26, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 22: San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell (7) looks on during the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 22, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell pushed back on the criticism his agent, Scott Boras, received from former client Jordan Montgomery.
"My experience with Scott has been great," Snell said Sunday, per The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly. "He told me everything that was happening, all the offers I got. So for him to just get bashed for what I believe is false, that's not fair at all. I really strongly believe that."
Montgomery reportedly dropped Boras in April after signing a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which much less than many expected him to get. The southpaw contended his the veteran agent had "kind of butchered" his offseason negotiations.
Snell spoke matter-of-factly when it came to Montgomery's situation.
"I've seen how (Montgomery) struggled, but he signed the deal that he ultimately wanted to sign," he said. "He has the choice. I don't know what other deals he was offered, but I know everything that was offered to me. It's just sad that he thinks that way when I see Scott as a very honorable man."
Perhaps not signing with a team until late March has played a role in Montgomery's performance, but he has so far vindicated the teams who seemingly balked at his asking price.
The 31-year-old is 8-6 but sports a 6.44 ERA. His 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings are a career low, while he's allowing his second-most hits (11.7 per nine innings). He allowed six earned runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 10-8 win over the Miami Marlins, and Arizona has moved him to the bullpen.
Snell's defense of Boras is understandable given their continued working relationship, but Montgomery's comments were part of a larger narrative around the legendary agent. Snell, Montgomery, Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman were all Boras clients this winter, and all four wound up signing for below their market projections. Maybe the 71-year-old is finally losing the magic touch.
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer laid out how other factors were at play that helped explain why he couldn't get his clients better contracts. His four stars all had underlying questions over their value moving forward, and the turmoil over the regional sports network model has resulted in teams having less money to spend.
Thanks to Snell, Boras may have an opportunity to answer his critics in a few months.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner can opt out after the 2024 season, an outcome that looks increasingly likely as he has gotten better on the mound. Since returning from a groin injury in July, he has a 1.30 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 55.1 innings.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani's X-Rays on Forearm Injury Negative After HBP vs. Rays
Aug 25, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first base during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers fans can exhale.
Nerves were surely high when Shohei Ohtani was grabbing his wrist and forearm area after he was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. However, manager Dave Roberts, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, said that X-rays were negative and the Dodgers star should be fine.
The play in question happened at the start of the eighth inning when Richard Lovelady hit Ohtani with a pitch. He remained in the game and scored when Mookie Betts broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer as the very next batter.
Los Angeles held on for the 3-1 win, and Ohtani did not have to go back out as the designated hitter.
That Ohtani will be alright is welcome news for the Dodgers and their fans, as he is well on his way to a third career MVP in just his first year with the team.
The four-time All-Star is slashing .292/.378/.615 with 41 home runs, 94 RBI and 40 stolen bases, underscoring his ability to impact the game with his power, speed and ability to hit for average and get on base.
Ohtani heading toward an MVP is all the more notable considering he is not pitching this season so he can fully recover from elbow surgery. He is typically one of the best pitchers in the league as well, further highlighting his generational talent.
Los Angeles' playoff chances could survive a brief absence for Ohtani, but it likely needs him to finish with the best record in the National League and clinch home-field advantage in the postseason.
It is three games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West at 78-53 and also narrowly ahead of the 76-64 Philadelphia Phillies and 75-55 Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the best record in the NL.
About the only thing missing from Ohtani's resume is playoff success after he started his career on the Los Angeles Angels, but he will have the opportunity to change that if he is healthy and anchoring the Dodgers' lineup.
Video: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Throws Off Mound for 1st Time Since Elbow Surgery
Aug 25, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run, his 40th home run of the season, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani's outstanding season has distracted from the fact that he's been off the mound since August of last year, but the Los Angeles Dodgers star is taking big steps in making his return to pitching.
On Saturday, Ohtani threw off the mound for the first time since his elbow surgery last September.
In the last season he pitched in 2023, Ohtani had 167 strikeouts, a 3.14 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in 23 appearances, posting a 10-5 record. He last stepped on the mound in August of 2023, undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear shortly after.
He is expected to pitch once again in 2025, but in the meantime, he's been electric as a hitter in his first season with the Dodgers.
He has the second-most homers in the majors with 40 along with 92 RBI and a .292 batting average. On Friday, he became a member of the coveted 40-40 club when he collected his 40th stolen base and 40th home run, which was a walk-off grand slam.
Ohtani has long surpassed his career high in steals, and now he's just six home runs away from his career high in homers. With more than 30 games left to play this year, Ohtani will only add to his already impressive numbers.
Before too much longer, Ohtani will be lighting it up on the mound as well as the plate.
Dodgers' Roberts: Shohei Ohtani's Grand Slam to Clinch 40-40 Club Was 'Storybook'
Aug 24, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run, his 40th home run of the season, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani became the sixth player in MLB history to have a 40-40 season, joining the club in spectacular fashion with a walk-off grand slam in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game it was a "storybook" moment for Ohtani to make history in that manner.
"It's just storybook—40-40 on the same night," Roberts said. "I don't know if that's ever been done, and then he wins it with a grand slam. He's definitely known for the dramatics, and this was something I'll remember for a long time."
The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs when Ohtani drove the first pitch he saw from Rays reliever Colin Poche to centerfield and it just cleared the fence.
Ohtani became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40-40 threshold in a season. He accomplished the feat in his 126th game played, beating the previous mark of 147 games set by Alfonso Soriano during the 2006 campaign.
This marks the second consecutive season with a 40-40 player. Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. had 41 homers and 73 stolen bases in 2023 en route to winning his first career NL MVP award.
Other members of the 40-40 club include Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996) and Alex Rodriguez (1998). Canseco and Acuña are the only players to win an MVP award in their 40-40 season.
Since Ohtani hasn't been able to pitch this season after undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, it seems to have freed him up to use his speed on the bases in a way he never has before.
It was already known that Ohtani could run if he wanted to. He had sprint speeds in the 90th percentile or better in 2020 and 2021, but his career-high in stolen bases prior to this season was 26 (2021).
There was never any question about Ohtani's bat as he made the move to the Dodgers from the Los Angeles Angels. He led MLB in slugging percentage (.654) and led the AL in homers (44) and on-base percentage (.412) last season.
Ohtani has continued to be one of the best hitters in the league. He leads the NL with 40 homers and a .614 slugging percentage in 126 games. The two-time AL MVP is currently on pace for the first 50-50 season in MLB history.
The Dodgers have now won five straight games and extended their lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West to four games. Their 77-52 record is the best in MLB, one game ahead of the New York Yankees (76-53).
Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Says He Expects to Return in September amid Injury Rehab
Aug 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres runs in the outfield before the game against the New York Mets at Petco Park on August 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Fernando Tatis Jr. said he could be back on the field next month amid a stress reaction in his thigh bone that has left him out since June.
The San Diego Padres star said he expects to return to action in September after taking batting practice on Friday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
"It felt really good just being outside with the boys, ramping up," Tatis said. "Every day a step closer."
Tatis said he doesn't have an exact timeline for a return, but he will "definitely" be back on the field in September.
"I really don't have specific dates," Tatis said. "I feel that's more a conversation between the training staff, the manager and myself and A.J. [Preller, the general manager]. But I'm definitely playing baseball the next month. That's what it looks like."
Before the injury, Tatis had 14 homers, 36 RBI and a .279 batting average in 80 games.
When he was placed on the injured list, Tatis said he had been dealing with the injury throughout the season and was recommended to take some time off.
"It can get worse, and we don't want that," Tatis said in June. "I was playing through it, and I probably could have kept going, but the doctors recommended to heal it now so that way it doesn't get worse. It's just better that way."
Tatis' return could come at the perfect time for San Diego. The Padres are 22-8 since the All-Star break and are just 4.5 games back from the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West and currently three games ahead in the wild-card race.
If Tatis is back before the start of the postseason, he could help lead San Diego to a deep run.
D-Backs' Jordan Montgomery Says Scott Boras 'Butchered' His MLB Free Agency Talks
Aug 24, 2024
MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Jordan Montgomery #52 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on August 21, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Jordan Montgomery is unhappy with the way his former agent handled free agency talks last offseason.
The Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher was candid when speaking about how last offseason went and didn't hold back about his ex-agent, Scott Boras.
"Obviously Boras kind of butchered it, so I'm just trying to move on from the offseason and try to forget it," Montgomery told the Boston Herald (h/t The Athletic).
Montgomery had one of the best seasons of his career during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers last year. He had a 3.20 ERA with 166 strikeouts, going 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA in the postseason to help lead the Rangers to a World Series.
After the big year, he seemed on his way to a long-term, lucrative deal in the offseason, but instead settled for a one-year, $25 million contract with the Diamondbacks that includes a $25 million player option for the 2025 season. He inked the deal just two days before Opening Day.
After Boras "butchered" his deal, Montgomery has the chance to re-enter free agency this offseason in search of something better, but he hasn't been able to repeat his success from last year.
Through 19 starts, Montgomery has 67 strikeouts, a 6.44 ERA and an 8-6 record, far from the numbers he posted last year. His struggles have led to manager Torey Lovullo moving him to the bullpen in favor of Ryne Nelson.
Montgomery will look to finish the year strong and perhaps earn the lucrative contract he feels he deserved last offseason.
Dodgers Rumors: Jason Heyward DFA'd amid Struggles; Hitting .208 During 2024 Season
Aug 22, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 21: Jason Heyward #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated right fielder Jason Heyward for assignment, per FanSided's Robert Murray.
The 15-year veteran has spent the last two seasons with the Dodgers. Through 63 games, he's recorded six home runs, 28 RBI and a .208 batting average.
Heyward will now look to aid a team in need of some veteran assistance as the postseason nears.
The 35-year-old made the most of his last game in a Dodgers uniform on Tuesday. In a matchup with the Seattle Mariners, he belted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to help lead L.A. to a 6-3 comeback win.
Manager Dave Roberts spoke highly of Heyward after he came up big in the clutch.
"I truly believe the game honors you, and the game honored him tonight," Roberts said, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "He does things the right way. He was ready when called upon, and he came up with a huge hit. Shoot, that was probably the highlight of the season for me thus far."
Heyward's big hit on Tuesday didn't change the fact that the Dodgers needed to shed one outfielder with Chris Taylor coming back from the injured list. Los Angeles activated Taylor upon designating Heyward for assignment.
Taylor, who has been on the injured list since late July with a right groin strain, has appeared in 64 games this year, collecting three homers, 15 RBI and a .267 batting average.
