Kemp, Schmidt injured

by bleedjaxblue on Apr 9, 2007 7:50 PM EDT

So I had Schmidt in my pool for preseason Dodger injuries (http://www.minorleagueball.com/comments/2006/12/19/164153/17/27#27) but definitely not Kemp.

However, if either/both of these two are injured for substantial periods of time, it will make for some interesting decisions.

If Kemp is out, does Loney get the call to play outfield in his stead? Little and Colletti's reasoning for keeping Kemp over Loney to begin with was the need for righthanded bats in the outfield, with Repko injured. If Loney is promoted, there's no obvious platoon, considering the other three OFers are LoGo, Ethier and Pierre (oh.....and Marlon Anderson and Brady Clark). On the other hand, it's not entirely clear who else would be promoted ahead of Loney. Delwyn Young (a switch hitter) is the most obvious promotion. Alternatively, LaRoche might be promoted, though it seems talk of him moving to the outfield temporarily has disappeared, so this seems unlikely. Perhaps Abreu will be promoted (which Little had talked about earlier) and Ramon Martinez will be moved to the outfield? In my book, all bets are off. I have no idea. But it will definitely make for some interesting drama. It's also quite disappointing, since Kemp was showing some major improvements in plate discipline this year (http://www.minorleagueball.com/comments/2007/4/7/152416/7628/2#2).

And, speaking of drama, we can ramp up the Billingsley talk again if Schmidt is hurt. When he left the game today, Hendrickson filled in and pitched quite admirably (in case you were wondering, Billz pitched two innings on Sunday). If you had to guess, Hendrickson would get the call over Billingsley, to avoid messing with his development. Of course, D.J. Houlton is still sitting in the minors, as is Chin-Hui Tsao (though he's more likely to be promoted as a reliever to replace Schmidt's roster spot).

Anyway, thoughts on who will be promoted, assuming these injuries are serious? And how many more Dodgers need to get injured before the logjam is resolved?

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Schmidt expected to make next start

The Dodgers are calling Jason Schmidt day-to-day with right hamstring tightness.

Schmidt was already feeling better before the end of the game, so there's a pretty good chance he'll make his next start. He allowed four runs -- three earned -- in four innings and homered before leaving Monday's game.

by Wheelhouse on Apr 9, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Kemp also doesn't sound too serious

The Dodgers are calling Matt Kemp day-to-day with a bruised right shoulder.

If Kemp avoids the disabled list, Andre Ethier will remain a platoon player. The Dodgers face right-handers on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday's off day, so Kemp will get a few days to rest up.

source for both - rotoworld.com

by Wheelhouse on Apr 9, 2007 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

thanks for the info!

I'm stuck at work without my passwords to anything, so this is definitely key.

I have to say though -- I'm almost ambivalent about the injuries. At this point, I'd almost rather see what happens when we ease up the logjam than actually have the best team on the field.

p.s., As someone just pointed out to me, how did the pitcher end up with the hurt hamstring and the outfielder with the hurt arm? Sounds like sign of the apocalypse to me.

by bleedjaxblue on Apr 9, 2007 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

X-Rays Negative

X-Rays taken on Kemp's shoulder were negative. Kemp's quote from last night:

"At first I thought it was worse than what it was," Kemp said. "It hurt really bad when I was walking off the field. I thought I was done. But everything will be all right."

by guru4u on Apr 10, 2007 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Kemp placed on DL

appears to be grade one shoulder seperation

by Wheelhouse on Apr 10, 2007 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

well, I'm relieved....

....to find out Kemp isn't as big a b-tch as that quote from guru made him sound; at least something really was wrong. It still was a pretty hilarious quote.

I guess the Dodgers brought up Chin-Hui Tsao instead of a hitter to replace Kemp, meaning Ethier will be facing lefties for a little while (or else Saenz will start at third and Ramon Martinez in left). The move makes sense, though, given the way the bullpen has looked, and the lack of a spot for Loney.

by bleedjaxblue on Apr 11, 2007 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions