Dodgers Dugout: Ought to the Dodgers be fearful about Mookie Betts?

Hello, and welcome to a different version of Dodgers Dugout. My identify is Houston Mitchell. It has been so scorching the final couple of days, my neighborhood ice cream man has modified the signal on his truck to only say “cream.”

As soon as once more, so that you don’t get bored with listening to from me, I’ve reached out to another person to reply some ceaselessly requested questions. We welcome my Instances colleague Jack Harris, who’s our principal Dodgers reporter.

Q. Essentially the most-often requested query I get now’s “Why is Michael Conforto taking part in a lot whereas Hyeseong Kim rides the bench?” So, why?

Harris: A few causes:

1) Kim’s finest defensive place, second base, has been blocked currently by Tommy Edman, who hadn’t been in a position to play the outfield in latest weeks due to his nagging ankle damage. Kim has primarily been in middle area consequently, the place his fundamentals aren’t practically as polished.

2) The Dodgers assured Conforto $17 million this offseason, and nonetheless have hope he can flip issues considerably round offensively. At the very least till the deadline, they should hold giving him alternatives to see whether or not he could be a contributor, and if not, whether or not that’s an space they should goal reinforcements.

That stated, Edman did return to outfield duties this week. And Dave Roberts has indicated the taking part in time between Kim and Conforto will begin to even out (although each sat loads this previous week as a result of the Dodgers confronted a number of left-handed starters).

My guess is, over the subsequent couple months, Kim will change into a extra common member of the beginning lineup — assuming he continues to hit. However within the meantime, you’ll nonetheless see Conforto (who, in equity, has proven some indicators of life currently) get common begins as effectively.

Q. Max Muncy turns his season round, in some half as a result of he began sporting glasses. Final season, it was found that Kiké Hernández wanted glasses. Why isn’t a complete eye examination a part of each spring coaching?

Harris: As Hernández famous after we wrote about this final 12 months, gamers usually do get eye exams in spring coaching. Nonetheless, in each his and Muncy’s instances, that they had very refined imperfections that weren’t flagged till they visited with an eye fixed specialist.

Muncy himself stated his imaginative and prescient is 20/12 (which, presumably, is why his eyesight had by no means come below query earlier than), however that the astigmatism he realized he had in his proper eye left him left eye dominant; not supreme for a left-handed hitter. He insists the glasses are solely a part of why he’s been higher just lately, noting a breakthrough along with his swing as the larger distinction the previous couple months.

Nonetheless, Muncy and Hernández will not be the primary big-leaguers to find they may profit from glasses (Hernández stated he first heard an identical story from Martín Maldonado). I wouldn’t be stunned if it’s one thing that will get a more in-depth look — pardon the pun — sooner or later from groups.

You’ll be able to learn extra about Muncy’s turnaround right here.

Q. Your finest guess on when these pitchers will return: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki.

Harris: Glasnow will want no less than two extra rehab outings. If these go effectively, that ought to line him as much as return shortly after the All-Star break.

Snell ought to most likely be prepared to begin going through hitters this upcoming homestand, if not quickly after. He’ll most likely want a few stay classes, then 3-4 minor-league rehab outings. And since these occur one week at a time, I’d say early August is a secure wager.

Sasaki is a a lot greater query. He received a shoulder injection earlier this month, and was feeling significantly better this final week, in accordance with Roberts. However he nonetheless hasn’t thrown a bullpen, not to mention come near going through hitters. There’s time for him to return again if he can hold progressing, however it could most likely be nearer to September at this fee. Tony Gonsolin, who stays shut down from throwing himself, might be in an identical boat.

Q. It was fascinating that after Emmet Sheehan pitched so effectively in his lone begin for the Dodgers (4 innings, one run, three hits, six strikeouts) that they might ship him down after that. What was the pondering there?

That was a shock to me. However the way in which the Dodgers checked out it, Sheehan wasn’t totally constructed up but, they usually wanted somebody to pitch Tuesday and Sunday (so on 4 days’ relaxation) this previous street journey — with the primary at hitter-friendly Coors Discipline, no much less.

Thus, the staff determined it’d be higher to let Sheehan proceed stretching out in a extra managed surroundings in Oklahoma Metropolis, and hold Justin Wrobleski on the big-league roster for these two outings.

Sheehan shall be eligible to return throughout subsequent weekend’s Astros sequence, and Roberts has indicated there shall be a possibility for him to begin video games as soon as they get there. However for now, Wrobleski has additionally continued to impress in his prolonged alternative.

For maybe the primary time all 12 months, the staff may really quickly have some reputable beginning pitching depth (however don’t blame me if I simply jinxed it).

Q. Ought to we be fearful in regards to the down season Mookie Betts is having on the plate?

Panicked? No. However considerably involved? In all probability.

Whereas Betts has all the time been a comparatively streaky hitter, the numbers he’s on tempo for this 12 months could be career-lows throughout the board.

Granted, he was affected by his early season abdomen virus, and did bat higher than .300 over 32 video games from late April via the primary week of June. However total, he merely hasn’t generated as a lot energy or laborious contact as he often does (he has solely six house runs in his final 73 video games), and his already underwhelming bat velocity has continued to say no.

I’d nonetheless count on him to bounce again, no less than to some extent, within the second half. However till he does, the extra you must ponder whether — at age 32 — he’s beginning to enter a brand new, much less productive, stage of his profession offensively.

The opposite rationalization, after all, is that his (ever-impressive) shortstop play is taking some toll on him on the plate. Nonetheless, he has frequently denied that, and famous how final 12 months he was posting MVP numbers whereas grinding simply to study the place, so I stay doubtful of that principle.

Q. In a best-case state of affairs, what number of innings would Shohei Ohtani have the ability to pitch in a begin by the top of the season?

There’s no motive he can’t get stretched out to make full-length begins of 6-7 innings by the top of the season.

The query is whether or not that may make most sense for the Dodgers down the stretch run of the 12 months.

Ohtani’s bat stays the one most necessary piece of the staff’s possibilities to repeat as World Collection champions. The extra he pitches, the extra variables which might be launched to his offensive capabilities.

It’s price remembering, Ohtani turns 31 subsequent week. Even his seemingly superhuman strengths have their limits. And Roberts has alluded to bouts of minor fatigue he has handled since starting to ramp up as a pitcher.

My guess is, if the rotation stays ravaged by accidents and there are pitching holes to plug come October, Ohtani shall be handled like extra a standard starter.

However, if the Dodgers have three to 4 different wholesome starters they belief by then, it would make extra sense to restrict his innings — and maybe use him as a de facto opener in bullpen video games as an alternative.

That’s why, for now, the staff is in no rush to extend his innings. They’re letting him construct a basis a couple of innings at a time, and can see how the remainder of the workers shapes up earlier than including much more to his plate.

Q. The Dodgers appear to have had a rain delay in all places they go this season. What do you do within the press field throughout a rain delay?

It’s all the time time to get caught up on different tales I’m engaged on (that’s how I spent most of Sunday’s hourlong delay).

In any other case, both eat, watch different video games across the league, or discuss to fellow reporters within the press field.

One of the best delay was positively at Coors Discipline this previous week. It was their “hometown hoedown” theme night time, in order that they have been doing nation music karaoke on the scoreboard. Correctly, Garth Brooks’ “Mates in Low Locations” was one of many songs (my private go-to each time I stumble right into a karaoke bar). There may need been some singing from yours really within the press field that night time.

NL All-Star lineup may very well be all Dodgers

The 2 finalists for All-Star starter at every place have been introduced, and there’s a Dodger or two at every place, so it’s potential that nearly your complete NL beginning lineup may very well be Dodgers.
As the highest vote-getter within the NL, Shohei Ohtani is assured to begin at DH. The opposite finalists:

Nationwide League finalists
Catcher: Will Smith, Carson Kelly (Cubs)
First base: Freddie Freeman, Pete Alonso (Mets)
Second base: Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks), Tommy Edman
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (Mets), Mookie Betts
Third base: Manny Machado (Padres), Max Muncy
Outfield: Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Kyle Tucker (Cubs), Andy Pages (Dodgers), Juan Soto (Mets)

They’re listed within the order they completed within the balloting. Voting started Monday at 9 a.m. PDT and concludes Wednesday at 9 a.m. PDT. Voting may be accomplished on-line at MLB.com/vote. The primary spherical of voting is thrown out, and solely votes acquired from Monday-Wednesday will rely.

Steve Henson has a more in-depth have a look at this right here.

Austin Barnes replace

Former Dodger Austin Barnes, launched by the staff earlier this season, has signed a minor-league take care of the San Francisco Giants.

Barnes has been assigned to the Giants’ Arizona Complicated League staff, most likely to work himself again into taking part in form earlier than heading to triple A or the Giants. If he makes the Giants, they will owe him the prorated portion of the MLB minimal wage of $760,000, and the Dodgers will owe the rest of the $3.5 million Barnes was due for the 2025 season.

The Giants’ president of baseball operations is Buster Posey, who was the longtime catcher for the staff and the backstop for 3 World Collection title groups. Their beginning catcher, Patrick Bailey, has struggled mightily this season. The Giants have a mixture of veterans and children within the beginning rotation, and a man reminiscent of Barnes may show helpful for all of them, as he was all the time thought-about nearly an additional coach for the Dodgers. Or, he may play poorly in Arizona they usually by no means deliver him up. Both approach, it received’t value them a lot.

Catching up with Walker Buehler

Colleague Invoice Shaikin caught up with former Dodger Walker Buehler when the Boston Crimson Sox have been on the town to face the Angels just lately. Buehler has struggled mightily with the Crimson Sox this season. He’s at present 5-6 with a 6.45 ERA.

Amongst Buehler’s quotes:

“In some way, this 12 months, I’ve managed to do all of the unfavorable issues you possibly can. I’ll hold working. It’s simply powerful to let down our staff….”

“I believe, in all honesty, it’s rather a lot simpler to remain good than to get good. The blokes on the opposite facet of the sector from me drive good vehicles, receives a commission some huge cash to be actually good at what they do. Exterior of a pair swings [during the Angels game], I believe largely I beat myself, which is simply not one thing that you are able to do right here.

“I believe it’s in there. I believe my arm nonetheless strikes good. I believe I can nonetheless make the ball transfer. I believe I can nonetheless pitch within the main leagues.

“In some unspecified time in the future, the assumption, it will get laborious to maintain tricking your self. In some unspecified time in the future, I’ve received to place some outcomes up there, for myself, but additionally for this group.”

One spectacular factor about Buehler, is he by no means hides when he’s doing poorly. He’ll stand there and reply questions. Hopefully, he rebounds and turns into a productive pitcher once more. Although you must surprise, after seeing him in final 12 months’s World Collection, if he could be higher off as a high-leverage reliever now.

You’ll be able to learn the entire story right here

Scheduling be aware

With the Fourth of July vacation Friday, the subsequent Dodgers Dugout shall be early subsequent week. I hope you all have an pleasant vacation weekend. Once we return, we are going to resume our “Prime 10” at every place sequence.

These names appear acquainted

A have a look at how some outstanding Dodgers from the previous couple of seasons are doing with their new staff (via Sunday). Click on on the participant identify to be taken to the Baseball Reference web page with all their stats.

Batters

Cody Bellinger, Yankees: .270/.332/.460, 319 plate appearances, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 42 RBIs, 120 OPS+

Michael Busch, Cubs: .273/.363/.512, 292 PA’s, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 14 homers, 49 RBIs, 150 OPS+

Jason Heyward, Padres, .176/.223/.271, 95 PA’s, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 12 RBIs, 37 OPS+, on the IL

Gavin Lux, Reds: .272/.359/.391, 276 PA’s, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers, 37 RBIs, 103 OPS+

Zach McKinstry, Tigers: .283/.357/.450, 287 PA’s, 11 doubles, 8 triples, 5 homers, 25 RBIs, 128 OPS+

Joc Pederson, Rangers, .131/.269/.238, 146 PA’s, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers, 6 RBIs, 50 OPS+, on the IL

Keibert Ruiz, Nationals, .248/.279/.321, 258 PA’s, 12 doubles, 2 homers, 24 RBIs, 72 OPS+

Corey Seager, Rangers: .244/.342/.430, 225 PA’s, 6 doubles, 10 homers, 23 RBIs, 123 OPS+

Chris Taylor, Angels: .200/.294/.400, 34 PA’s, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 3 RBIs, 94 OPS+, on the IL (numbers with Angels solely)

Justin Turner, Cubs: .210/.293/.267, 123 PA’s, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 12 RBIs, 63 OPS+

Trea Turner, Phillies: .296/.348/.456, 368 PA’s, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 11 homerss, 38 RBIs, 119 OPS+

Miguel Vargas, White Sox: .229/.311/.411, 334 PA’s, 20 doubles, 2 triples, 10 homers, 34 RBIs, 103 OPS+

Alex Verdugo, Braves: .242/.297/.294, 209 PA’s, 10 doubles, 12 RBIs, 67 OPS+

Pitching

Ryan Brasier, Cubs: 0-0. 1.32 ERA, 13.2 IP, 10 hits, 3 walks, 11 Ok’s, 296 ERA+

Walker Buehler, Crimson Sox: 5-6, 6.45 ERA, 67 IP, 74 hits, 32 walks, 59 Ok’s, 65 ERA+

Jack Flaherty, Tigers: 5-9, 4.80 ERA, 84.1 IP, 69 hits, 35 walks, 100 Ok’s, 82 ERA+

Kenley Jansen, Angels: 1-2, 4.40 ERA, 15 saves, 28.2 IP, 28 hits, 11 walks, 26 Ok’s, 95 ERA+

Craig Kimbrel, Rangers: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 stroll, 1 Ok, within the minors

Kenta Maeda, Cubs: 0-0, 7.88 ERA, 8 IP, 9 hits, 6 walks, 8 Ok’s, 52 ERA+, within the minors

Ryan Pepiot, Rays: 5-6, 3.36 ERA, 96.1 IP, 81 hits, 30 walks, 92 Ok’s, 118 ERA+

Max Scherzer, Blue Jays: 0-0, 5.63 ERA, 8 IP, 9 hits, 3 walks, 5 Ok’s, 77 ERA+

Ryan Yarbrough, Yankees: 3-1, 3.90 ERA, 55.1 IP, 48 hits, 17 walks, 49 Ok’s, 105 ERA+, on the IL

Is there a participant you’d prefer to see listed right here? E mail me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com and let me know.

Up subsequent

Tuesday: Chicago White Sox (Shane Smith, 3-5, 3.38 ERA) at Dodgers (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 7-6, 2.61 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Wednesday: Chicago White Sox (Sean Burke, 4-7, 4.22 ERA) at Dodgers (*Clayton Kershaw, 4-0, 3.03 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Thursday: Chicago White Sox (Aaron Civale, 1-4, 4.74 ERA) at Dodgers (Dustin Might, 4-5, 4.68 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

*-left-handed

In case you missed it

Greater than the glasses: How a lightbulb second made Max Muncy a ‘full hitter’ once more

Dodgers pursue file for many MLB All-Star starters as voting resumes for 48 hours

Why Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have struggled on the plate currently for the Dodgers

Barabak: You’ll be able to’t separate sports activities from politics. Simply ask the L.A. Dodgers

Shaikin: Walker Buehler struggling to rediscover his Dodgers World Collection magic with Crimson Sox

And at last

From 2002, Shawn Inexperienced has six hits, together with 4 house runs, in opposition to the Brewers. Watch and hear right here.

Till subsequent time…

Have a remark or one thing you’d prefer to see in a future Dodgers publication? E mail me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com, and comply with me on Twitter at @latimeshouston. To get this article in your inbox, click on right here.