Notes from Spring Training: Day Eight

From the Dodgers official Spring Training media notes for Sunday, February 27:

VALLEY OF THE SUN?: An expected inch of rain and unplayable fields forced the Dodgers indoors on Sunday, marking the first time that the club has had an all-indoor workout at Camelback Ranch.  Fresh off his curveball tutorial from Sandy Koufax at last night’s Safe at Home Charity event, Clayton Kershaw joined Eric Gagné, Josh Towers, Russ Ortiz, Jeff Weaver, Charlie Haeger, Jon Link, Brent Leach, Cory Wade, Juan Perez, Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen in throwing bullpens in the covered batting cages this afternoon.  Position players followed with a round of batting practice in the cages.

SUN SALUTATION: Local instructor Katherine Roberts led approximately 30 Dodgers in a 45-minute abdominal and lower back yoga session this morning. The Dodgers started offering yoga classes last season and will continue to have classes available to Major Leaguers every Sunday and to minor leaguers every Wednesday during Spring Training.

MAJORING IN THE MINOR: Baseball America’s top-rated Dodger prospect, Dee Gordon, and top picks from the last three drafts Aaron Miller, Ethan Martin and Chris Withrow were among 48 minor league players to kick off early workouts on the minor league side of the complex yesterday. The rest of the minor league pitchers and catchers will report on March 4 with the full squad beginning workouts on March 10.

GOOD ‘OL OISK: The Dodgers would like to congratulate legendary pitcher Carl Erskine on winning the 2010 Sachem Award, which is the highest honor the state of Indiana can bestow. The award, which will be given to Erskine this week by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, is presented annually to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana. Previous recipients include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden and the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Erskine, 83, pitched for Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1948-59 and won 122 games, pitched in five World Series, made the National League All-Star team and threw two no-hitters.

BRING YOUR “A” GAME: On Tuesday, the Dodgers and White Sox will square off in the first “B” game of Spring Training. Lefty Eric Stults will get the start with Travis Schlichting, Brent Leach, Carlos Monasterios, Armando Zerpa, Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen scheduled to pitch.  The White Sox will counter with Gavin Floyd, Carlos Torres, Daniel Cabrera and Daniel Hudson.

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME: Yes, there is a “B” game scheduled for March 2, but the real Cactus League slate officially kicks off March 5 when the Dodgers play a “road” game against the Chicago White Sox. As of this moment, Vicente Padilla will start the contest for the Dodgers and be followed to the mound by RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Scott Dohmann and RHP Jon Link. The White Sox are scheduled to counter with LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jeff Marquez, RHP Scott Linebrink, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Santo Luis and RHP Freddie Dolsi.

LITTLE BIG LITTLE: Tonight from 6:00-8:00 p.m. James Loney, Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley, Russell Martin, James McDonald, Clayton Kershaw, Cory Wade, Blake DeWitt, Brent Leach, Trayvon Robinson and Kenley Jansen are scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for the Ahwatukee Little League at 4700 East Warner Road in Phoenix .  Autographs are available for a $5 donation and the event will occur rain or shine. Dodger Assistant GM, Scouting Logan White and Assistant GM, Player Development De Jon Watson are permanent fixtures in the grandstands at Ahwatukee to scout this hotbed of amateur talent which includes their sons Logan Jr. and Michael. 

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and at Dodger Stadium. The team will hold an on-sale event in Lot P at Dodger Stadium with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and all fans purchasing at least one ticket will receive two free tickets to the Dodgers’ exhibition home opener against the Indians on April 1. Dodger Dogs will be available for $2 and merchandise kiosks will be open as well.