Kershaw Takes The Mound, Kuo To The DL

The Dodgers send Ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound tonight (2-1, 1.37 era). He faces righty Kyle McClellan (1-0, 2.25 era). After last night's debacle, it's nice to have Kersh going. With the Dodgers struggling, he's one of the few bright spots on this team. In 19.2 innings pitched, he's got 24 strikeouts.

The Dodgers placed Hong Chih Kuo on the disabled list today. From Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com:

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Saturday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a lower-back strain. Kuo had been bothered by back discomfort all season, a fact that might have affected his mechanics and contributed to his uncharacteristic four walks in 2 2/3 innings.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, meaning Kuo will be eligible for activation as early as the team's April 29 series opener against the San Diego Padres.

At least it's not because of his elbow. Let's see if Tron can get back to his 2009 form.

Here's tonight's line-up:

LF Gwynn
3B Blake
RF Ethier
CF Kemp
SS Uribe
1B Loney
C Barajas
2BMiles
P Kershaw

Dodgers Avoid Arbitration With Hong-Chih Kuo

The Dodgers have avoided arbitration with lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo signed a one-year deal worth $2.725 million. He can earn another $675,000 in performance bonuses. Those bonuses are based on appearances and games finished.

Kuo was arbitration eligible for the second time in his career. He was seeking  $3.075 million, while the Dodgers offered $2.5 million.

Although Kuo started  2010 on the disabled list, he ended up having the best season of his career. In 56 appearances, he had a 1.20 era with 12 saves and an unreal 0.783 whip and 73 strikeouts. Kuo also made the National League All-Star team for the first time.



With Kuo signed, this leaves James Loney as the only arbitration-eligible player yet to sign a contract for 2011.

Dodgers News And Notes

The Dodgers and Chad Billingsley have agreed to a deal. The Dodgers and pitcher Chad Billingsley avoid arbitration, and agree to a one-year pact. The deal is worth $6.275 million. Bills went 12-11 with a 3.57 era in 2010.


The Dodgers are reportedly close with their two other remaining arbitration-eligible players, first baseman James Loney and pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo, who made $975,000 last season, is seeking $3.075 million, while the club filed at $2.55 million. Loney, who made $3.1 million last year, is asking for $5.25 million while the club filed at $4.7 million.

Dodgers Sign Gabe Kapler. The Dodgers have signed the 35 year-old journeyman to a minor-league contract, that includes an invitation to their major-league spring training camp.Kapler hit .210 with 2 homeruns and 14 rbi in 14 plate appearances in 2010.

Dodger Stadium Gets Supercross Makeover. AMA Monster Energy Supercross series takes over Dodger Stadium this Saturday at 7pm. Vin Scully Is My Homeboy has the pictures.

Hong-Chih Kuo Get's A Bobblehead in 2011

Today, the Dodgers announced who would get one of the two remaining mystery bobbleheads in 2011. So, who is it? The Dodgers have decided to go with Hong-Chih Kuo. Back in October, when I made my 2011 bobblehead predictions, I named Kuo as one of my bobble picks.

I think this is the right move. Kuo had an amzing 2010 season, and deserves  to be honored with a bobblehead. 

So, who will get that last bobblehead on August 9? I'm gonna say Chad Billingsley or they may honor someone else from the 1981 World Series team. 

Dodgers News And Notes

Breakfast with Tommy. LATimes.com's TJ Simers sat down with Tommy Lasorda. The two talked about losing wieght, living to 100, Don Mattingly, Tim Wallach and Vin Scully. Tommy even threw in a funny Mike Scioscia story.

The Dodgers sign Tim Redding. The Dodgers signed journeyman right-handed pitcher Tim Redding to a Minor League contract today. Redding, who last pitched in the majors with the New York Mets in 2009, is 37-57 for his career with a 4.95 era.

Tommy Davis to play in legends game. Former Dodger Tommy Davis will be playing in the 23rd Annual Joe DiMaggio Legends Game. The game will be played on Saturday, January 29 at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, former spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. The game will raise money for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Is Jerry Sands close to making it up to the majors? ESPNLA.com's Jon Weisman takes a look at the Dodger prospect. He thinks Sands could make his major league debut this season and could be a serious contender to start in 2012.

Will the Dodgers sign another lefty reliever? Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness wonders if the Dodgers should pick up another lefty to join Hong-Chih Kuo in the bullpen. Mike gives us a list of possible candidates.

2006 Topps Finest Hong-Chih Kuo Rookie Autograph

On Christmas, my wife gave me a couple of items for my two Dodger collections, a new bobblehead and a new card. I'll show the bobble in a future post. As for the card, she got me a 2006 Topps Finest Hong-Chih Kuo Autograph rookie.

I've got many Kuo cards, but no autographs in the collection, so I was real happy when I got this. I'm a huge fan of Kuo's, and I think he's gonna have a great 2011. I love Kuo in the Closer role if Jonathan Broxton faulters again. It's just a matter of how careful the Dodgers and Don Mattingly will be with Kuo and that elbow of his.

Yesterday, while reading up on fellow Taiwanese player Chin Lung Hu, I found out Hong-Chih Kuo had the second most plate appearances amongst Taiwan-born players in Dodgers history. My favorite Hong-Chih Kuo plate appearance of all time is his famous "bat flip". Back in 2007, the Dodgers played the Mets, and Kuo became the first Taiwanese born player to hit a homerun in the majors. He hit the homerun off of John Maine, who had just given up back-to-back homeruns to Wilson Betemit and Matt Kemp. After Kuo connected with the ball he flipped the bat and watched it go out. It was classic. Here's the video: