8:29 AM ET, Thu March 11, 2010

You're out of order! No - you're out of order!

Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — Don Mattingly's first game as Spring Training manager in 2010 was part Goofus, part Gallant. Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com has details: ... Somehow, the official lineup cards the Dodgers submitted to plate umpire Brian Runge and to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the Cactus League game had Matt Kemp hitting third and Andre Ethier fourth, the exact opposite of every other lineup posted around the facility, including those given to the press box. Mattingly said that after Ethier flied out to center to end the first and Kemp did the same to start the second, Runge informed Mattingly that they...

Los Angeles Dodgers 8 hours ago

Nomar Garicaparra - Mr. +1 - retires

Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — Jeff Gross/Getty Images Nomar Garciaparra follows through in the 10th inning, Sept. 18, 2006.Nomar Garciaparra, whose place in Dodger lore was cemented with his game-winning home run in the 4+1 game, announced his retirement today. He is moving on to work for ESPN as a "Baseball Tonight" and game analyst. Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m. Today's Lineup Rafael Furcal, SS Blake DeWitt, 2B Andre Ethier, RF Matt Kemp, CF Brian Giles, DH Reed Johnson, LF Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B Nick Green, 3B A.J. Ellis, C (Vicente Padilla, P) Continuing the theme of the day, Garciaparra had nine walkoff hits...

Los Angeles Dodgers 16 hours ago

Grumpy/Not Grumpy

Sons of Steve Garvey — Reed Johnson gives Jon SooHoo the thumbs-up. Andre Ethier does not share his optimistic appraisal of the situation. Matt Kemp expresses his joy via alternate digits. photos by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers 19 hours ago

Too Perfect

Sons of Steve Garvey — Rihanna and Matt Kemp at Kemp's Ante Up for Autism fundraiser this weekend. Kemp and his grandmother, Doris. Awwwww. 1: Martin Mann via E! Online; 2: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers March 9, 2010

Blake DeWitt to be named starting second baseman next week?

Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — The Dodgers plan to name their starting second baseman when the team reunites after the Taiwan trip, manager Joe Torre told reporters today — and Blake DeWitt is closer to winning the job. Rockies at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m. Today's Lineup Rafael Furcal, SS Matt Kemp, CF Andre Ethier, RF Manny Ramirez, DH Ronnie Belliard, 3B Blake DeWitt, 2B Xavier Paul, LF Brad Ausmus, C (Hiroki Kuroda, P) "Blake's doing a good job," Torre said. "I haven't seen enough defensively, offensively I see what you see. He's special, he played winter ball, he's done so much in a short time here. He's a big lea...

Los Angeles Dodgers March 9, 2010

Dodgers' Matt Kemp is up front about advantages of batting second

Los Angeles Times — The Dodgers center fielder, who hit seventh on opening day last year, likes batting in the No. 2 spot in front of Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez. Unlike a certain someone who refused to admit a couple of years ago that hitting in front of Manny Ramirez made a difference, Matt Kemp had no problem saying that he would likely benefit from his new place in the lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers March 9, 2010

Giants Defeat Dodgers in Extra Innings

AZ Hardball — The Los Angeles Dodgers visited Scottsdale Stadium to face the San Francisco Giants in Monday’s spring training action. The National League rivals would keep the game close as they both earned a run a piece in the first inning. Matt Kemp homered off of Barry Zito in the first inning to give the Dodgers their [...]

Arizona Diamondbacks March 8, 2010

A.J. Ellis' alarm goes off (as imagined by me)

Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — US Presswire A.J. Ellis I'm up. I'm awake. I'm the starting catcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers at Giants, 12:05 p.m. Today's Lineup Rafael Furcal, SS Matt Kemp, CF Andre Ethier, RF Manny Ramirez, DH James Loney, 1B Casey Blake, 3B Blake DeWitt, 2B Reed Johnson, LF A.J. Ellis, C (Chad Billingsley, P) I don't know what's going to happen in the future. Russell Martin, it seems, will probably be out past Opening Day – though these things are unpredictable.  The fans and the media are assuming the worst, but you never know when good fortune will blindside them. And it would be...

Los Angeles Dodgers March 8, 2010

Dodgers' Torre: Kemp can thrive at No. 2 spot

Los Angeles Daily News — GLENDALE, Ariz. - Matt Kemp had a team-leading 139 strikeouts in 2009 but that won't deter manager Joe Torre from using his budding star in the second spot in the Dodgers' lineup this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers March 7, 2010

Card Sharps

Sons of Steve Garvey — From @DodgertownUSA: Chad Billingsley and James Loney at Matt Kemp's "Ante Up for Autism" fundraiser last night. Earlier at SoSG: James Loney Is Also a Slick-Dressing, Smooth-Talking Poker Aficionado

Los Angeles Dodgers March 7, 2010
  • Dodgers' Mattingly far from boring as manager Los Angeles Daily News GLENDALE, Ariz. - If Don Mattingly really does intend on becoming a boring manager when his time comes, he failed miserably Wednesday.
  • Mattingly a bit suspect in the matter of his lineup Los Angeles Times A gaffe regarding the batting order occurs while he manages the Dodgers in Joe Torre's absence. Joe Torre had just taken off for Taiwan, leaving Don Mattingly to manage his first game at any level, Mattingly saying a few hours earlier Wednesday, "It's not that complicated," just before batting the Dodgers out of order.
  • Garret Anderson will try to play first base for Dodgers Los Angeles Times Longtime outfielder hasn’t played the infield since his minor league days. ‘It won’t be instinctive,’ he said. To improve his chances of making the Dodgers' roster, Garret Anderson will try to do something he hasn't done in a long time.
  • Dodgers and Arizona tie, 4-4 Los Angeles Times Vicente Padilla gives up four hits and one run over three innings. Dodgers 4, Arizona 4 >>>
  • Mattingly, Dodgers talks about manager's job Riverside Press-Enterprise
  • You're out of order! No - you're out of order! Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles Don Mattingly's first game as Spring Training manager in 2010 was part Goofus, part Gallant. Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com has details: ... Somehow, the official lineup cards the Dodgers submitted to plate umpire Brian Runge and to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the Cactus League game had Matt Kemp hitting third and Andre Ethier fourth, the exact opposite of every other lineup posted around the facility, including those given to the press box. Mattingly said that after Ethier flied out to center to end the first and Kemp did the same to start the second, Runge informed Mattingly that they...
  • Blanks emerging as fantasy breakout candidate ESPN The San Diego Padres' Kyle Blanks has posted a .304 batting average, .393 on-base percentage and .505 slugging percentage in 1,935 minor league at-bat...
  • 30 Questions: Phillies ESPN AJ Mass assesses the condition of the Phillies bullpen and how manager Jerry Manuel might fill the void at closer should Brad Lidge not be able to do the job.
  • 30 Questions: Is Brandon Wood fantasy relevant? ESPN Brendan Roberts looks at the potential fantasy value of Brandon Wood this season.
  • 30 Questions: Is Peavy still a fantasy ace? ESPN Tristan H. Cockcroft takes a closer look at the fantasy value of Jake Peavy in his first full season with the White Sox.
  • 30 Teams in 30 Days: San Diego Padres Fantasy Baseball Cafe So as I was looking over the list of 30 Teams in 30 Days articles, I noticed that nobody had written about the Padres. I volunteered for the job, not realizing what I was getting myself into. Looking over the roster and depth chart, I thought to myself, “I have to write about who to [...]
  • Grapefruit League Report Yahoo! Sports The first big injury of the spring at least allows fantasy owners plenty of time to adjust their cheat sheets.