Pre-Game News And Notes: March 4, 2020

Here’s a quick look at everything Dodgers to get you up to date before tonight’s game against the Giants.

• Middle infield prospect, Omar Estevez, will be sidelined for a few days due to a sore right shoulder. Estevez is part of the Dodgers 2015-2016 international signing class that includes outfielder Yusniel Diaz (traded in 2018 to Baltimore for shortstop Manny Machado) and pitcher Yadier Alvarez (recently DFA’d by the Dodgers). Estevez is ranked 16th in Baseball America’s Dodgers top 30 prospects.
• David Price admitted being nervous in his first outing with a new team.

“My legs were shaking out there. If you love what you do you’re gonna have nerves. I definitely had them out there today. It was fun. I definitely enjoyed it, getting back out there. Wasn’t missing by much. For the first time, I’m okay with it.”

Also, regardless of the outcome in which Price lasted 1.1 innings pitched, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, he was pleased on how he felt physically:

Price said this spring he can tell how much different his pitching hand feels after the surgery — not just on the mound but in everyday activities as well. His left hand has gone from pale and cold with little feeling to warm with full blood flow.

That’s a different feeling for him, but one he welcomes and believes will help him in 2020. For years, that lack of feeling in his hand made pitching tougher than it already is. But for so long, that was his normal.

“It wasn’t something I put a whole lot of thought to or anything of that nature, it was just something I dealt with for a long time and learned to manage with it,” Price said. “I like pitching like this.”

Price spoke on the idea of pitching out of the stretch:

“I can disrupt timing better with the slide step or full leg lift,” Price said. “For me, it allows me to have more weapons. My windup is kind of like my stretch anyway. I’m going to make the biggest pitches of the game out of the stretch, with runners on base.”

• Zach Reks was drafted in the 10th round of the 2017 draft by the Dodgers. He’s hit his way into Triple-A and some notoriety. A couple of pieces were written about him by Pedro Moura of The Athletic and Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. I wrote a little about him as well on his accession through the minors along with other minor leaguers that have flown somewhat under the radar. He’s had quite a journey but some in his life believe it’s what movies are made of.
• Yesterday, Janet Marie Smith (Senior VP of Planning and Development) gave an exclusive tour to Dodgers-Lowdown and other local media, providing details on the renovations at Dodger Stadium.
• Former Dodger middle infielder, Cesar Izturis, was in team uniform today as a guest instructor. He played for the Dodgers for a little over 4 and a half seasons putting up a 22.6 ultimate zone rating which was the 2nd highest on the team during his stint with Los Angeles.
• Cody Bellinger insisted the knot in his back wasn’t sustained during the Albert Pujols TopGolf charity event Sunday night and says he feels 100 percent now. Dave Roberts said he’ll play in tomorrow’s game against the Oakland A’s.
• Former Dodger first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez also visited camp today. He played with the Dodgers for a little over 5 seasons. While with the team, he was an All-Star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger. He’s also one of the few Dodger players to ever hit a home run in his first and last game with the team.
• Chris Taylor has been shut down after sustaining a setback recovering from a sore shoulder issue. He won’t play again until he’s 100 percent healthy.
• Clayton Kershaw is making his second 2020 start tonight against the Giants. There will be no designated hitter so he’ll take his at-bats. Roberts says Kershaw will go three innings.
• Doc says the players will be instructed on personal hygiene due to the recent coronavirus scare. Also, with the LA County being placed in a state of emergency:

One thing of note, players might be told to curtail signing autographs. The person-to-person contact of passing baseballs, pens, etc. is something that is not recommended by public health officials. "We might have to moderate that behavior," Kasten said.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 5, 2020

• Another guest instructor at today’s camp was former first baseman Eric Karros. He was with the organization for 12 years. He was the first of five straight rookie of the year winners awarded to the Dodgers.

Oskar is a writer/editor for Dodgers-Lowdown. Follow him on Twitter @2rawsko94. Graphic credit: Alberto