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Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kershaw, Santana, Kemp, Trade

By Jacob Rudner

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Dennis Santana #77 of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses during MLB Photo Day at Camelback Ranch- Glendale on February 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Dennis Santana #77 of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses during MLB Photo Day at Camelback Ranch- Glendale on February 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Clayton Kershaw made his first start in 30 days on Thursday, May 31, and while he got the job done, viewers knew something was not right when the 30-year old ace was pulled after just 62 pitches. Kershaw’s night ended after just five innings of one-run ball but the main concern of fans, media, and coaches was his velocity over the course of his shortened outing. Kershaw’s fastball topped out at 90 miles per hour and he averaged just 89.1 miles per hour on the four-seamer. Kershaw was sent for an MRI today and the results revealed a back strain similar to the one that held him out of competition for five weeks last year. His timetable for recovery was estimated to be the same this year as it was in 2017. With Kershaw out again, the Dodgers pitching staff will have to continue its streak of excellence despite their ace’s lengthy absence.

Other notes…

  • The Dodgers’ number nine overall prospect and the third best organizational pitching prospect, Dennis Santana, made his major league debut on Friday, June 1. Santana has enjoyed an incredible season to date, striking out opposing batters at an incredible rate of 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Santana’s debut went well according to manager, Dave Roberts. Roberts liked Santana’s movement and velocity but cited his control as an issue in today’s inaugural performance. Santana went 3.2 innings in which he gave up six hits, and five runs all while racking up four strikeouts, and a walk. Santana also got his first major league hit in his first major league at bat- a double that drove in two crucial runs.

More from Dodgers Way

  • Matt Kemp continues to be the Dodgers hottest hitter. He has been so good over the course of the 2018 season that he has vaulted himself amongst the top batters in all of baseball and has a legitimate shot at returning to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2012. Kemp is hitting .341 on the year with eight home runs, 31 RBIs, and an impressive OPS of .932. Kemp was not even supposed to break camp with the Dodgers and now, the team would be in bad shape if he was anywhere but Los Angeles.
The Dodgers swung a minor league deal with the Marlins on Friday, June 1. Los Angeles traded minor league infielder, Peter O’Brien to Miami in exchange for cash. O’Brien is known for little more than his power and has been that way since he was drafted in second round of the 2012 draft. O’Brien last appeared in the majors in the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the D-backs and both stints were extremely short-lived. O’Brien will report to Double-A Jacksonville in the Marlins organization.

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