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Dodgers Announce Opening Day 25-Man Roster
And here we are finishing up the final game that counts for squat with the Dodgers pummeling the Seattle Mariners 8-1. Starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa turned heads at the Stadium with his 5 2/3 innings of a two-hit shutout striking out six batters. Right fielder Jerry Sands also made some spectacular plays. Too bad neither of them made the opening day 25-man roster.
“They told me to practice my delivery more,” De La Rosa said through interpreter Kenji Nimura. “Pretty soon I should be back up here.”
De La Rosa will be optioned to Double-A Chatanooga Lookouts.
The lucky ones who did make the opening day 25-man roster:
Infielders: James Loney, Jamey Carroll, Rafael Furcal, Juan Uribe, Ivan DeJesus, Aaron Miles
Outfielders: Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Tony Gwynn, Jr., Xavier Paul, Marcus Thames
Catchers: Rod Barajas, Hector Gimenez, A.J. Ellis
Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly
Relief Pitchers: Lance Cormier, Mike MacDougal, Kenley Jansen, Blake Hawksworth, Matt Guerrier, Hong-Chih Kuo, Jonathan Broxton
To make room for Miles, Cormier and MacDougal on the 40-man roster, pitcher Jon Link and infielder John Lindsey were designated for assignment. Since Ronald Belisario was already on the restricted list that left an open slot available.
Keeping three catchers allows manager Don Mattingly to have more options especially since Gimenez can also play first base.
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“A.J. has been with the staff,” Mattingly explained. “We’ve been building pitching and defense as much as we possibly can. A.J. knows our staff. He knows our guys.
“Hector’s done a good job, he just doesn’t know our guys as well. He’s caught them in the pen and things like that. It allows us some flexibility early in the game off the bench. He can catch. He can play first. I’m really comfortable with him at first. I like what Hector does.”
Particularly difficult for Mattingly’s first time at the helm of these cuts was the veterans especially Gabe Kapler and Juan Castro.
“I really feel like the veteran guys you want to give them the respect to know what it’s going to look like at that point. I really wanted to let those guys early on if I had to make a decision right them which way it was leaning.
“It never makes it any easier. It’s tough with Kap because he’s such a guy that you love to have on your club.”
While making cuts was not complete euphoria, it wasn’t as bad for Mattingly to deal with.
“It’s not enjoyable. A lot of the younger guys when they first come to camp they know they’re not making the club at that time.
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“It’s been okay. I’ve tried to talk with guys all the way through.”
While this is the opening day roster, this does not mean this will be the roster come a week from now. Tomorrow the Dodgers will announce the disabled list, both the 15-day and 60-day lists, which will feature third baseman Casey Blake, catcher Dioner Navarro, starting pitcher Jon Garland, pitcher Vicente Padilla and left fielder Jay Gibbons.
Dallas Mavericks defeat LA Clippers 106-100.
Anaheim Ducks defeat Calgary Flames 4-2.
TONIGHT’S ACTION
San Francisco Giants at LA Dodgers. 5:00 p.m. ESPN, AM 790 KABC.
LA Angels at Kansas City Royals. 1:10 p.m. FSWest, AM 830 KLAA.
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Dallas Mavericks at LA Lakers. 7:30 p.m. TNT, AM 710 KSPN.
LA Kings at Vancouver Canucks. 7:00 p.m. FSWest, AM 1150 KTLK.
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