Latest news with #LosAngelesDodger
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Dodgers Offer Clear Stance to Questions on Trump Visit, LA Protests
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of some heated division rivalry matchups, facing the San Francisco Giants after winning their series with the San Diego Padres and with another Padres series looming next. But as the team battles its regional foes, the City of Los Angeles is dealing with some notable turmoil as well. The city has seen a wave of protests against federal immigration raids and some have called on the Dodgers to become more directly supportive as other sports franchises speak out. "Demonstrations against the federal raids have been staged in downtown for more than a week, but the Dodgers have remained silent," Dylan Hernandez wrote in a column for the Los Angeles Times. "Angel City FC and LAFC released statements sympathizing with the residents experiencing 'fear and uncertainty,' but the Dodgers have remained silent." Hernandez pressed the issue with Dodgers official Lon Rosen, who serves as the team's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. But when asked about the ongoing protests, Rosen made the team's stance very clear. WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Los Angeles Dodger CEO Stan Kasten (C) watches as U.S. President Donald Trump greets Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (L) as Trump hosts the 2024 World Series champions in... WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Los Angeles Dodger CEO Stan Kasten (C) watches as U.S. President Donald Trump greets Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (L) as Trump hosts the 2024 World Series champions in the East Room of the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees with a 7-6 victory in Game 5. (Photo by) More Wong/Getty "We're not going to comment," he told Hernandez. The columnist also asked Rosen if the team regrets celebrating their latest World Series championship at the White House with President Donald Trump, and Rosen doubled down on the team's evasive stance. "We're not going to comment on anything," Rosen told Hernandez. Even as the Dodgers' primary marketing executive makes it clear that the team won't be weighing in on the political controversy, others from within the organization have responded in more detail. Manager Dave Roberts noted that he hopes the games can be a "positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now," per Hernandez. And utility player Kike Hernandez recently spoke out directly against the immigration crackdown. "This is my second home, and I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart," Hernandez wrote in an Instagram post. "All people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights." But even as many of the city's residents make their feelings known through ongoing protests, it seems the Dodgers as a franchise won't be offering specific commentary. More MLB: Red Sox Trade Idea Deals $22 Million Closer For Top Catching Prospect
New York Times
12-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani expected to throw his first bullpen this weekend
PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher, appears to be nearing the final stretch of his return to a big-league mound and throwing his first pitch as a Los Angeles Dodger. The reigning National League MVP said Wednesday he expects to throw his first bullpen session of spring training at some point this weekend, a key step that will begin to lay out Ohtani's path back to the mound at some point in May — potentially sooner. Advertisement The right-hander, coming off a second major elbow ligament reconstruction, has not pitched in a major-league game since August 2023, his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani's recovery progressed enough last year that he threw bullpens but did not ramp up enough to face hitters during the Dodgers' postseason run that culminated in a World Series championship in the first year of Ohtani's record-setting contract with the organization. Ohtani arrived to this camp well before pitchers and catchers reported to Arizona for spring training as he's continued to rehab from elbow surgery. He's also working his way back after surgery to repair the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder after injuring himself attempting to steal a base in Game 2 of the World Series. That has allowed Ohtani to continue his progress in front of Dodgers staff and officials. He's thrown from flat ground so far in camp, mixing in his splitter, curveball, cutter and (as of Wednesday) his sweeper. Dave Roberts didn't have a start date yet for Shohei Ohtani to start throwing full bullpens. Maintained that Ohtani will be pitching 'sooner rather than later' but he won't pitch in any Cactus League games. — Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2025 When Ohtani does throw off a mound this weekend, he said, 'It's gonna be more about touching the slope. I'm not sure what my intensity is going to be.' Ohtani is not expected to pitch in any Cactus League games, Dave Roberts said. However, the Dodgers manager emphasized that Ohtani's return to two-way play will come 'sooner than later.' Figuring out the steps involved in making that happen — since Ohtani won't have a minor-league rehab assignment while he's active and hitting — remains to be seen. But while Ohtani won't be pitching in his home country when the Dodgers open the season in Tokyo (that honor will likely go to Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto), he remains on track to be penciled into the Dodgers' lineup as the designated hitter. Advertisement Ohtani took batting practice on the field on Wednesday, hitting 10 home runs on 18 swings just three months after shoulder surgery. Because the injury came to Ohtani's front shoulder and not his lead shoulder, the Dodgers have maintained confidence that Ohtani could avoid the pitfalls endured by former Dodgers such as Cody Bellinger and Matt Kemp after their labrum tears. Ohtani did note he is still working through issues with his range of motion in the area, but it's 'almost getting there, to where I want it to be.' 'I've gone through it with the elbow before, and with the shoulder it's a little bit more complicated,' Ohtani said. 'I do believe that's the part that I have to be patient.' Still, Roberts said, the lone restrictions placed on Ohtani's offense this spring will come on the base paths. It has been a safe assumption that Ohtani — who stole 59 bases en route to baseball's first-ever 50-50 season — would steal less along with his return to the mound in 2025. But Roberts said he'll hold Ohtani back from stealing altogether during Cactus League play. Once he resumes doing both, Ohtani stressed, 'I do wanna play as much as possible, as many games as possible. But if the team feels like I should get a break, I'll follow that.' (Photo of Shohei Ohtani: Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
New York Times
11-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Clayton Kershaw officially returns for 18th season with Dodgers: Sources
PHOENIX — Clayton Kershaw, the longest-tenured Los Angeles Dodger, will officially be back for an 18th season. The franchise icon has finalized a return he forecasted months ago by reporting to spring training on Tuesday. His official signing is pending a physical, league sources told The Athletic. Advertisement Kershaw's decision to rejoin the reigning World Series champions came with less uncertainty than recent offseasons. At the parade last November, the 36-year-old vowed to return despite turning down his $5 million player option for 2025. 'I'll be back, somehow,' Kershaw said then. 'I don't care. I'll be back.' When he actually gets back on the mound at Dodger Stadium is a separate story. In 2024, Kershaw made just seven starts in his comeback from left shoulder surgery as he was hindered by a bothersome left big toe and a ruptured plantar plate in that foot. He underwent surgery less than a week after the parade to address the foot and to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said during this month's 'Dodgerfest' that Kershaw had started the early stages of a throwing progression. But the Dodgers don't need to rush their longtime ace. They are coming off a winter in which they added two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell along with Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to bolster their rotation. Tyler Glasnow is expected to be good to go to start the season after missing last October with an elbow issue. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is gearing up for his second second in the majors. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are coming off major elbow surgeries. And Shohei Ohtani could be back in the Dodgers' rotation as soon as May after his second elbow ligament reconstruction. When Kershaw does pitch in a game, he will be nearing history. He is just 32 strikeouts away from being the 20th pitcher in baseball history to record 3,000 for his career. It would be the latest flourish in what will be a Hall of Fame career for the three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion. (Top photo of Clayton Kershaw: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)
