Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers are only in third place in the NL West, they are sending three starters to the All-Star Game in Seattle.
Freddie Freeman will be the starter at first base, Mookie Betts in the outfield, and J.D. Martinez will be the starting designated hitter.
At the same time, Will Smith only came in second for catchers in the NL, being bested by Sean Murphy from the Atlanta Braves. While Murphy and Smith were having a very similar year stat wise, many fans of the Dodgers feel like Smith was snubbed because he has been playing at an all-star pace since 2019.
It remains to be seen if Smith will make the All-Star team as an alternate.
In other All Star news, Mookie Betts announced that he will participate in the home run derby. Mookie had previously said that that was something he would never do, but his wife Brianna talked him into it.
Betts is currently fifth in home runs in the National League, and has hit at least 20 home runs in seven consecutive seasons, excluding 2020. He will be the first Dodger in the Derby since Joc Pederson in 2019.
On the injury front, the most worrisome at the moment is the health of Clayton Kershaw’s shoulder. The lefty pulled himself from his start in Tuesday in Colorado after six innings of one hit ball. Later he stated he felt his shoulder get “a little cranky”. He got a shot and was expected to play catch on Friday – however that did not happen.
The new plan is for Kershaw to play catch on Saturday, and is still currently slated to make his start on Monday at home against Pittsburgh. He currently leads all pitchers with 95.1 innings pitched this season, with Tony Gonsolin being next with 57.1 innings pitched.
Manager Dave Roberts did have this Wednesday about Kershaw and the possibility of going on the injured list – “You know what? For me, I wouldn’t be totally opposed to that given what he’s done for us this first half. But having a conversation with him, that might be different. And with what he’s done, he has earned that right to be in the conversation. So, we’re gonna have no problem having that conversation.”
Kershaw also is one of the top pitchers in the National League, and could be named to the All Star team. What all that happens remains to be seen.
Before Friday’s game in Kansas City against the Royals, Daniel Hudson was activated from the injured list. The reliever returns exactly one year and one week after he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament. Hudson should help anchor a worn down bullpen.
In the corresponding moves, Nick Robertson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and RHP Ricky Venasco was designated for assignment.
The Dodgers now begin a three game series in Kansas City for their last away games of the first half of the season.