L.A. Times - Baseball News

Angels' Robert Coello keeps hitters guessing with hybrid pitch

By Mike DiGiovanna — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:34:00 PDT

The reliever has used a pitch that is a combination of a forkball and a knuckleball to keep batters, and even catchers, off balance. Coello is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's a forkball. No, it's a knuckleball. Like the old Certs breath mint commercial, Angels reliever Robert Coello's signature delivery is two, two, two pitches in one, and the right-hander has used it to carve a bullpen role that seems to grow more prominent with each outing.

Angels stop Royals, 5-2, for sixth win in a row

Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:25:00 PDT

A three-run seventh inning provides the Angels with the winning margin at Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mike Trout had his 21st multi-hit game, Jason Vargas pitched into the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals, 5-2, on Friday night to extend their winning streak to six games.

Yankees' Mark Teixeira close to return

Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:51:00 PDT

New York first baseman will play in minor league game Wednesday.

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira expects to play in his first game since hurting his right wrist in early March, suiting up for a minor league game with double-A Trenton on Wednesday.

Angels' Joe Blanton earns timely victory over Royals

By Mike DiGiovanna — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:02:00 PDT

The veteran right-hander, who'd been struggling, gets his first Angels win, 5-4, the team's fifth triumph in a row.

Jered Weaver's return to Angels rotation could come next week

By Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

A decision on the ace, who is rebounding from a broken elbow, is due after he throws in bullpen this weekend.

Phillies put Chase Utley on 15-day disabled list

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:24:00 PDT

All-Star second baseman has an abdominal strain.

The Philadelphia Phillies put five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list because of an abdominal strain.

Dodgers seem to lack grit, and Don Mattingly finds it hard to bear

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Dodgers have hit poorly with runners in scoring position, something their manager, Don Mattingly, did well as a player. He suggests mental toughness is an issue.

In the fall leading up to his first season as Dodgers manager, Don Mattingly was asked if he could control his frustration as he relied on players who were unlikely to ever reach the individual heights he reached as a first baseman with the New York Yankees.

Dodgers' bosses get points for patience

T.J. Simers — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:37:00 PDT

The experts said Don Mattingly would be fired, but Mark Walter and Stan Kasten show restraint. Don't forget, it's still early and the Dodgers aren't out of it.

I don't know Mark Walter , the Guggenheim guy who runs the Dodgers. We had one phone conversation, and I'd rather talk to Jamie McCourt .

Brewers' Kyle Lohse to miss a start

Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:13:00 PDT

Right-hander has irritation in his pitching elbow. Phillies' Chase Utley to have an MRI exam.

Milwaukee right-hander Kyle Lohse will miss his next scheduled turn in the Brewers' rotation because of irritation in his pitching elbow.

Don Mattingly calls out Dodgers before win

By Dylan Hernandez — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:24:00 PDT

Manager implies the team lacks mental toughness, and he benches Andre Ethier, going with a lineup 'that I feel is going to fight.'

Josh Hamilton leads hit parade as Angels drop Mariners, 7-1

By Kevin Baxter — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:51:00 PDT

Offense begins to click as Angels win fourth in a row, with C.J. Wilson as beneficiary.

Josh Hamilton stood alone in the far corner of the Angels' clubhouse early Wednesday evening, looking far too frustrated for a guy whose batting average is higher than it has been in nearly a month and whose team is on its longest winning streak in nearly a year.

Offense breaks out against Brewers

By Dyland Hernandez — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:22:00 PDT

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches into the eighth inning for the first time.

Rehab start goes well for Angels' Jered Weaver

By Kevin Baxter — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:40:00 PDT

Right-hander gives up one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings in an extended spring-training game in Arizona. He could return to Angels' rotation next week.

Mike Trout hits for the cycle in Angels' 12-0 win over Seattle

By Bill Shaikin — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:25:00 PDT

Outfielder, 21, is the youngest to accomplish the feat since Mel Ott with the New York Giants in 1929. Josh Hamilton hits a home run and triple on 32nd birthday and Jerome Williams strikes out six over eight innings.

The Angels broke out the disco ball in the clubhouse, and why not? That was quite a party.

Dodgers misfire in Milwaukee as Brewers win, 5-2

By Dylan Hernandez — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:01:00 PDT

Zack Greinke struggles in his Miller Park homecoming, and the Dodgers offense squanders plenty of chances to help him out.

MILWAUKEE — Unable to send Clayton Kershaw to the mound for a second consecutive night, the Dodgers went back to being the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Brandon League struggles, but so does most of the Dodgers' bullpen

By Dylan Hernandez — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:53:00 PDT

League started the season as the Dodgers' closer, but he has foundered of late, giving up some costly big hits. To make matters worse, Dodgers relievers as a whole have been ineffective.

Jered Weaver could rejoin Angels rotation next week

By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Right-handed ace, sidelined because of a fractured left elbow, is scheduled to pitch in an extended spring game Wednesday with the outcome dictating the next move by the club.

Jered Weaver could rejoin the Angels' starting rotation next week, Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday.

Don Mattingly is worth saving, but who among Dodgers can do it?

Bill Plaschke — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

It's looking more and more as though the Dodgers could fire Manager Don Mattingly soon. He has protected his players, but will any of them come to his rescue? Not likely.

From the moment Don Mattingly made his Dodgers managerial debut in the spring of 2011, he has made it his mission to protect his players.

Giants' Ryan Vogelsong has surgery on hand

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:40:00 PDT

Right-hander broke the hand during an at-bat Monday night. He could be out for two months.

Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong was put on the 15-day disabled list by the San Francisco Giants after breaking his pitching hand and could be out for two months.

Clayton Kershaw does job for Dodgers amid questions about manager's job

By Dylan Hernandez — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:09:00 PDT

Kershaw gives up only three hits in a 3-1 complete-game victory over the Brewers. Meanwhile, Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti won't say anything definitive about Don Mattingly's status.

Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier pick up the slack for Dodgers

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:59:00 PDT

Outfielders, who have been struggling at the plate, hit long home runs in Dodgers' 3-1 victory at Milwaukee. It is only the second home run for Kemp.

Rangers part ways with pitcher Derek Lowe

Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:58:00 PDT

Texas has 10 days to trade or release Lowe or try to send him outright to the minors.

The Texas Rangers designated right-hander Derek Lowe for assignment Monday, clearing the way for Josh Lindblom to make his first major league start against Oakland.

Following tradition by taking in a baseball game with grandson

Bill Dwyre — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:01:00 PDT

Writer enjoys a rite of passage with his 8-year-old grandchild at a Batimore Orioles game, creating a special memory to last a lifetime.

BALTIMORE — As long as there are 8-year-olds, there will be baseball.

Angels' Dane De La Rosa is finally rewarded for his perseverance

By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Reliever, 30, spent 10 years toiling in the minor leagues and independent leagues, coming close to quitting, before earning his first extended stay in the big leagues.

If you just got married and bought a house, this would be a good year to land a job in an industry with a minimum annual salary of $490,000.

Dodgers FYI: Second baseman Mark Ellis rejoins Dodgers' lineup

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Mark Ellis returns to active duty after three weeks on the disabled list because of a quadriceps strain. Catcher Tim Federowicz is sent to triple A.

ATLANTA — Second baseman Mark Ellis was activated from the 15-day disabled list Sunday, having been cleared by the medical staff to return to the lineup after playing in two minor league games.

Dodgers blow another late lead, are swept by Braves with 5-2 loss

By Dylan Hernandez — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:37:00 PDT

Brandon League has a huge meltdown in eighth inning as the bullpen loses game for the Dodgers for the 13th time this season, the most in the majors. 'We just have to get better,' Don Mattingly says.

ATLANTA – Clayton Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers in their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday at Miller Park.

Rangers put Ian Kinsler on disabled list

Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:39:00 PDT

Second baseman has bruised ribs.

The Texas Rangers put second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of bruised ribs and recalled top prospect Jurickson Profar from triple-A Round Rock (Texas).

New Angel Chris Nelson travels light

By Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Infielder joins the club, his third in the last three weeks, after being picked up on waivers from the New York Yankees. 'They just told me to take my essential stuff,' he says.

Angels' Jason Vargas baffles White Sox in 6-2 victory

By Kevin Baxter — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:32:00 PDT

Left-hander gives up four hits over seven scoreless innings to win his third consecutive game. Erick Aybar drives in three runs.

Dodgers' Mattingly upbeat despite 3-1 loss to Braves

By Dylan Hernandez — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:24:00 PDT

After another loss, Dodgers' manager insists the team is capable of winning.