Pre-Game News And Notes: Monday, March 9, 2020

Here’s a look at everything Dodgers, getting you caught up before today’s game against the Padres.

• In yesterday’s game, Dodgers 2015 4th round pick, Willie Calhoun, was struck in the jaw by a Julio Urias 95 mile per hour fastball in the first inning. After being carted off the field, Willie was taken to a local hospital where a CT scan revealed he had a fractured jaw. Calhoun was part of the 2017 trade that helped the Dodgers acquire Yu Darvish. Calhoun was ranked 5th in the Dodgers farm at the time, according to Baseball America. Julio Urias did reach out to Calhoun yesterday, they “exchanged texts.”
• Dodgers minor leaguer, Cody Thomas, hit his 5th home run this spring. He’s tied with Milwaukee’s Orlando Arcia for the most home runs across baseball in spring training. Thomas has always had pop in his bat. Since his first year playing professional ball in 2016, he’s put up no less than 19 home runs per year.
• Mookie Betts isn’t in today’s lineup versus the Padres, although he’s recovered from food poisoning. He took swings in a batting cage yesterday after missing playing time on Friday and Saturday. Dave Roberts plans to have him in the lineup for Wednesday against the Brewers.
• Clayton Kershaw was named the opening day starter. He has eight such starts which are the most by any pitcher for the franchise. He had his streak broken last year when he started the season on the injured list. In his opening day starts, he holds a 1.05 ERA, racking up 59 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched.
• The regular season rotation has been set. Kershaw will lead off, followed by Walker Buehler, David Price, Julio Urias, and Alex Wood (in that order).
• Dave Roberts doesn’t seem worried about having four left-handed pitchers in the rotation.

"But … every day is different. Each of these guys has a different mix. These are our five best pitchers and I feel good about it." 2/2 #Dodgers

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 9, 2020

It was also noted that this won’t be the first time the Dodgers had to deal with four lefties in their rotation:

#Dodgers had 4 LHs in rotation at times during 2016 (Kershaw, Wood, Urias, Kazmir), 2017 and 2018 (Kershaw, Hill, Ryu, Wood). It did not hinder them. They do not see it as a problem. https://t.co/mTjbojjr0w

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 9, 2020

• Alex Wood will make his third appearance of the spring, starting today’s game against the Padres. So far, he’s gone 2.1 innings, giving up 3 runs, 4 hits while striking out 3.
• Joc Pederson had five at-bats in his first stint of spring action in a minor league game yesterday. Doc says he’s progressing and could be in the lineup for a Cactus League game this upcoming weekend. Joc was dealing with a right hip injury since camp broke.

• Here’s the lineup for today:

Here's today's starting lineup for your @Dodgers! #ITFDB #LetsGoDodgers #BringItHome

1. Max Muncy 2B
2. Corey Seager SS
3. AJ Pollock CF
4. Cody Bellinger 1B
5. Matt Beaty 3B
6. Chris Taylor LF
7. Kiké Hernandez DH
8. Luke Raley RF
9. Austin Barnes C

Alex Wood P pic.twitter.com/oA0mG21hN3

— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) March 9, 2020

Oskar is a writer/editor for Dodgers-Lowdown. Follow him on Twitter @2Rawsko94. Graphic credit: Alberto