Three-Inning Save: A Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we banter about Shohei Ohtani’s first home run as a Dodger, and the hubbub surrounding the aftermath regarding Dodger Stadium security and the fan who caught the ball. The Dodgers have used their bullpen an awful lot in the early part of the season, and in doing so added and subtracted several members along the way. Nabil Crismatt got a win in his one day on the roster, and Dinelson Lamet pitched three times and recorded the first professional save of his 11-year career. A week and a half ago, neither were on the Dodgers 40-man roster, and they aren’t now either, because both have since been designated for assignment. The Dodgers traded for left-hander Nick Ramirez, who is now in Triple-A. They also traded for right-hander Connor Brogdon, who will join the team in Minnesota this week. Lefty Matt Gage was released while on the Triple-A injured list, but has reportedly returned on a minor league contract. Plus, the Dodgers ran a planned bullpen game last week rather than have two starters pitch on four days rest, and they moved Brusdar Graterol to the 60-day injured list, which means he’s out until mid-May, and Blake Treinen is at least “weeks away” from returning from his own injured list stint. Hence the patchwork nature to the LA bullpen so far. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers re-opened the regular season with the home opener and a four-game weekend series against the Cardinals, of which they won three games. Mookie Betts started the season on fire, including hitting a home run in four straight games. Will Smith is also hot at the plate, fresh off signing a new 10-year contract. Similar for Teoscar Hernández, who homered three times and doubled twice against St. Louis. Dodgers starting pitching was excellent over the weekend, headlined by Bobby Miller striking out a career-high 11 batters in six scoreless innings on Friday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was also great in his Dodger Stadium debut, with five scoreless innings, disrupted only by rain. Also in this episode, we look at the Dodgers’ lack of left-handers in the bullpen, Shohei Ohtani’s timing at the plate just a bit off even though he’s hitting the ball hard, Walker Buehler starting a minor league rehab assignment and getting closer to a return, and Emmet Sheehan out until at least late May. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers signed Will Smith to a 10-year contract worth $140 million, wiping out the final two years of salary arbitration for the All-Star catcher, plus another eight years after that. The deal was finalized on March 27, the day before the home opener at Dodger Stadium and the day before Smith's 29th birthday. Smith is now signed through 2033. He bats cleanup for the Dodgers, behind Mookie Betts (signed through 2023), Shohei Ohtani (signed through 2033), and Freddie Freeman (signed through 2027). All four also share another trait, in that they have a lot of deferred salary in their contract, totaling $902.5 million. For Smith, like Ohtani, those deferrals will be paid annually from 2034-2043. The contract for Smith puts the Dodgers payroll at roughly $320 million for competitive balance tax purposes. The Dodgers are already in the fourth and highest tier, such that for anything over $297 million in 2024 they will pay a 110-percent tax. At the moment, they are estimated to pay roughly $67 million in competitive balance tax for this season alone. Related reading: Dodgers deferred salaries, at The Athletic Smith contract details and reaction, at MLB.com More Smith reaction, from the Los Angeles Times Smith annual salaries, from MLB.com The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers are back stateside but the biggest story in the sport involves Shohei Ohtani and fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani during a press conference at Dodger Stadium read a statement, though did not take questions. In that statement, Ohtani said he has never bet on baseball or any sport, nor has he ever had dealings with a bookie. Ohtani also accused Mizuhara of stealing from him and lying to him, and said he did not know of Mizuhara’s gambling debt nor any payment made from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker in Orange County – totaling at least $4.5 million per ESPN – until a Dodgers team meeting on March 20 after the opening day win in South Korea. Major League Baseball is investigating the Ohtani and Mizuhara situation, though Ohtani is expected to remain active as the investigation is ongoing. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers lost a wild game to the Padres to close out the Seoul Series in South Korea, but that wasn't the biggest story of the day. That belonged to Shohei Ohtani, whose interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday amid a report of ties to an illegal gambler, and accusations of "massive theft" from Ohtani's attorneys. As of now, Major League Baseball has no plans to investigate Ohtani just yet, but the story is still developing. More on that soon, as well as what's ahead for the Dodgers The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reaction to the Dodgers beating the Padres 5-2 on opening day at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, in MLB's first-ever regular season games in SOuth Korea. The low-scoring affair featured the Dodgers hitless in their 14 at-bats with runners on base through seven innings before breaking through with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman combined to reach base eight times in 15 plate appearances, including two hits apiece by Betts and Ohtani, who each had run-scoring singles in the decisive eighth inning. Plum more on the opening day roster, including Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol on the injured list, as well as Spectrum offering in-market streaming of Dodgers games for Spectrum internet and mobile customers. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, opening day is finally here and we look ahead to the Dodgers and Padres playing two early morning games in Seoul, South Korea. We go over the Dodgers’ frenzied reception at Incheon International Airport, including Shohei Ohtani with his now-revealed wife Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player. Ohtani will also begin a throwing program once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles, following his elbow surgery in September. We look at what that means, and what it doesn’t regarding 2024. To date, the Dodgers have played two exhibition games against Korean teams at Gocheok Sky Dome. Leading into opening day Wednesday morning (a 3 a.m. PT start time), in which Tyler Glasnow will start and Ohtani will make his Dodgers debut, we look at some roster things from the last week, including non-roster invitee Daniel Hudson making the team, Gavin Stone winning the fifth-starter battle, and Miguel Vargas getting optioned. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at Jim Neidlinger, who made 12 starts for the Dodgers in 1990. That was Neidlinger’s only season in the majors. Acquired from the Pirates in a trade in 1988, Neidlinger pitched 11 seasons professionally and now coaches baseball at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we discuss the latest position switch for superstar Mookie Betts, who is now the Dodgers shortstop after Gavin Lux’s throwing problems created an untenable situation in the infield. There’s also the matter of manager Dave Roberts saying Betts to shortstop was “permanent, for now,” which is a hilarious phrase. We look at what might happen beyond this initial move of Lux to second base and how patient the Dodgers might be during his throwing struggles. Also, a look at some roster news, like Emmet Sheehan starting the year on the injured list, Brusdar Graterol not making the trip to South Korea, and Blake Treinen suffering a bruised lung. Also, we discuss non-roster invitee Daniel Hudson likely making the team, and possibly non-roster lefty Justin Wilson too, plus the Dodgers acquiring utility infielder Andre Lipcius from the Tigers. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at outfielder Stan Javier, who played for the Dodgers from 1991-93. Related reading: Javier’s SABR bio, written by Richard Cuicchi The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we revel in Shohei Ohtani’s first Dodgers (spring training) home run as well as his surprise revelation that he is now a married man. Also, we take a look at the potential Dodgers opening day roster, based on developments from the first few weeks of spring training. And discuss the Dodgers debut of Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well as the return of Kiké Hernández to Los Angeles, facilitated in part by the trade of Manuel Margot to the Twins, all last week. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previewing the Dodgers 2024 campaign with Ginny Searle, an editor for Baseball Prospectus, who wrote the season preview for Los Angeles last week at BP. We talk about the Dodgers' whirlwind offseason, adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and more, plus the strengths and weaknesses of the team, and the depth of the pitching staff. You can read Ginny Searle's work at Baseball Prospectus, and you can follow her on Twitter or Bluesky as well. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we have actual spring training games to talk about. That, and MLB uniform quality, and concern over the pants. We review the Dodgers’ first four games, which included Tyler Glasnow’s debut with the team. Also, we have a date on Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers debut, coming this Tuesday against the White Sox. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to pitch in his debut on Wednesday. Plus, we look at new deals for various old friends, as well as two other old friends – Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier – back in the organization working as special advisors now for the Dodgers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Frenchy Bordagaray, an outfielder and third baseman who had two stints with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1930s and 1940s, and held the distinction as the last mustachioed MLB player for more than three decades until the 1970s. Related reading: Bordagaray’s SABR bio, written by Norm King The New York Times obituary of Bordagaray Bordagaray at the Baseball Reference bullpen wiki Los Angeles Times obituary of Bordagaray Previous Dodgers Rewind (2022) of Eddie Basinski, who like Bordagaray was a violinist who played for Brooklyn The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we unpack the first week and a half of Dodgers spring training, including Clayton Kershaw returning, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto making first impressions, and more. Ohtani keeps hitting home runs in batting practice and draws a huge crowd everywhere he goes. Likewise for Yamamoto, was “incredible” in facing hitters for the first time. Plus, details on Kershaw’s contract that could take him through 2025, a look at the spring training schedule ahead, how the Nike/Fanatics uniforms are garnering complaints across MLB, and other various Dodgers news and notes. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Kevin Pasley, who played in parts of three seasons for the Dodgers in the 1970s, and was the last Dodger to wear number four before it was retired to honor Hall of Famer Duke Snider. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed Clayton Kershaw for what would be his 17th season, and potentially longer with a reported player option. Kershaw had elbow surgery in November and isn't expected to pitch until after the All-Star break, but he remains with the only professional organization he's ever known in returning to a loaded Dodgers team. Also this week, the Dodgers re-signed reliever Ryan Brasier and traded left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees in a bullpen reshuffling of sorts. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, a recap of DodgersFest at Dodger Stadium, at which Shohei Ohtani was understandably the star attraction. We talk about highlights and moments from FanFest, the general vibe at Dodger Stadium, plus some news about the team. That includes Walker Buehler starting the season on the injured list as he’s being slow-played to open the year after Tommy John surgery and will be on an innings limit in 2024. Pitcher Nick Frasso, who was added to the Dodgers 40-man roster this offseason, had shoulder surgery in November to repair a torn labrum. He likely won’t pitch in 2024. Shohei Ohtani is coming off elbow surgery in September that will keep him off the mound in 2024, but he’s expected to hit. He said Saturday that he expects to be fully ready to hit by opening day on March 20 in South Korea. Gavin Lux is “absolutely” the Dodgers shortstop heading into the year, and said he will be ready for opening day after missing last season with a torn ACL. The Dodgers are also keeping in touch with free agent Clayton Kershaw, and have made it known they want him to return. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed veteran pitcher James Paxton to a one-year contract to seemingly round out their starting rotation. Paxton returned from Tommy John surgery to put up a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts for the Red Sox in 2023, though he missed time last year with both a hamstring strain and knee injury, the latter giving a bad ending to an otherwise promising start to his season. Injuries have always been an issue for the 35-year-old Paxton, who has never qualified for any rate leaderboards and has topped 150 innings only twice in his 11 major league seasons. But he’s usually been very good while on the mound, which could benefit the Dodgers come October. Also, third baseman Adrián Beltré was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, giving the Dodgers a Cooperstown inductee for a third consecutive year. Related reading: Details of the signing at True Blue LA An “unspecified health issue” drops Paxton’s guarantee from $11 million to $7 million, per The Athletic How Paxton might need to improve his secondary pitches, from Baseball Prospectus Paxton has a chance to help the Dodgers in the postseason, from FanGraphs Dodgers bullpen could use another reliever, at True Blue LA Non-roster invitees to Dodgers spring training, at True Blue LA Adrián Beltré elected to Hall of Fame on the first ballot, at True Blue LA The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take a look at the Dodgers roster and payroll for 2024, which has become clearer in the last week. Michael Busch, whose path to playing time with Los Angeles was narrow at best, was traded along with reliever Yency Almonte to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of intriguing minor league prospects. The Dodgers have added four prospects in trades this offseason in moves that were essentially made to clear space on the 40-man roster. One of those 40-man spots went to outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who was signed by the Dodgers to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. We talked about that move on the podcast last week, a transaction which essentially completes the active roster position-player set, and Hernández is the latest to join the group of Dodgers with deferred salary. More clarity came with the Dodgers reaching agreements on 2024 contracts with all 10 players eligible for salary arbitration, avoiding a hearing for a fourth consecutive season. This group included catcher Will Smith, starting pitcher Walker Buehler, back-end relievers Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol and many others. In all, the Dodgers are looking at the highest tier of the competitive balance tax with an estimated payroll of $300 million. And they might not even be done adding this winter. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch give a full accounting of our various predictions about the 2023 Dodgers. We got some right, and got some wrong. Like Eric picking the Padres to win the National League West, for instance. But this is a look back at all the various questions from Craig Minami throughout last year that pur our predictive powers (or lack thereof) to the test. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to the Dodgers signing outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. Hernández adds a right-handed-hitting power hitter who averaged 28 home runs and 31 doubles over the previous three seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Hernández especially excels at hitting left-handed pitching, to the tune of a 136 wRC+ in his career, including a 164 wRC+ against southpaws since the start of 2021 that ranks fifth in the majors. He fits the exact need stated by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in an interview earlier Sunday on MLB Network Radio, giving the Dodgers another right-handed batter to go along with a lefty-heavy lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, James Outman, and Gavin Lux. We look at the impact of Teoscar Hernández on the roster, with essentially the 13 position players already set, and likely more time in the minors for Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas, if they aren’t traded for pitching. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to Yoshinobu Yamamoto signing a record-setting $325 million contract with the Dodgers. Yamamoto hit the perfect storm in free agency, as a star who won the last three MVP awards and Eiji Sawamura awards (the latter for top starting pitcher) in Japan, and is only 25 years old, with all the big-market MLB teams interested in his services. The Dodgers won out, beating out the Mets and Yankees with a 12-year contract for Yamamoto, adding to a stunning December that saw them also add Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. What a way to have our last podcast episode of 2023. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch recap a monumental week for the Dodgers, in which they finalized a 10-year contract for Shohei Ohtani then traded for pitcher Tyler Glasnow. Everything last week pretty much revolved around Ohtani, the global superstar, in some way or another. First, his heavily-deferred contract broke some brains in how to properly interpret this deal, and how it can be worth $700 million or $461 million depending on your point of view. Ohtani was also heavily involved in the recruitment of star free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, his teammate on Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani even recorded a video to help woo Glasnow to reach a five-year, $136.5-million contract extension that finalized the Dodgers’ trade with the Rays. In addition to Glasnow, the Dodgers got outfielder Manuel Margot from Tampa Bay, in exchange for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save podcast covers the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this week we interview Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, who covered the newest Dodger, Shohei Ohtani, in his first six years in the major leagues with the Angels. Jeff wrote a book chronicling Ohtani entitled Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played, which was written after the 2021 season and the paperback edition was updated after the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Jeff provides great insight to Ohtani's success as a player, what makes him tick, and what the Dodgers might expect going forward. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices