I understand the overwhelming dislike of Michael Conforto being on the LAD roster. Reportedly AF/BG tried to trade with Cleveland for Steven Kwan. They were not successful. Maybe they spent too much time on Kwan and the Padres were able to swoop in on Ramón Laureano. Or maybe Baltimore only wanted to trade Laureano if the team also took Ryan O’Hearn. We do not know what happened. But if you can find room for Buddy Kennedy, you can certainly find room for O’Hearn. If only for the bench, I would much prefer O’Hearn to Conforto.
Michael Conforto splits:
1st half wRC+: 79
2nd half wRC+: 751st half OPS: 620
2nd half OPS: 613He’s been even worse in the second half, Dodgers clearly don’t care.
— Klein25 (@Klein25) August 21, 2025
The trading deadline is over, but that is not the only way the Dodgers can pick up a better LF than Conforto for September and October. In Major League Baseball (MLB), waivers allow teams to claim players off waivers. Here’s how the process works:
- When a player is placed on waivers, the other 29 teams have the opportunity to claim him. The claiming team assumes responsibility for the player’s remaining salary.
- The waiver order is determined by reverse winning percentage, meaning teams with the worst records get the first chance to claim players.
- If a player is unclaimed, they become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.
- If a player is claimed, they are placed on the new team’s 40-man roster, and the original team must clear their roster spots.
- Outright waivers are irrevocable, meaning once a player is claimed, they cannot be pulled back off waivers.
Jake Fraley was claimed off waivers by Atlanta. He did not pass thru waivers to become a free agent. Atlanta had the chance to select Fraley off waivers before the Dodgers. Fraley was DFA’d on August 15. At the time, Atlanta had a winning % of .443 and the Dodgers had a winning % of .566. There were 4 teams behind LAD had the Dodgers passed. I do not remember which one, maybe it was Clutch Sports, or SI, or Dodgers Way, or…that reported the Dodgers blew it by not picking up Fraley off waivers. So, to say that LAD missed out on picking up Fraley off waivers seems to be off the mark. If they had passed on Fraley and he became a free agent, then maybe they would have a point. Now if someone can point out where I am wrong, and the Dodgers did in fact pass on Fraley, I would love to see that notice.
It is rumored by MLBTR that Adolis Garcia and Michael A. Taylor could be placed on waivers by their respective teams. Both are superior to Conforto both offensively and especially defensively, Garcia has a +14 DRS in RF. BTW, Taylor is a +2 DRS in LF and CF, and a +4 DRS in RF. Either one puts Teo in LF. Plus, I bet both know which base to throw to.
There may be others that will pop up that will be hopeful salary dumps for the team placing the player on waivers. There is no reason for a salary to be an issue, especially this year.
And while I will never be convinced that the Dodgers could not have put together a very competitive package for Ramón Laureano, it sure looks like they are going to get their October OF surprise when Kiké Hernández is reinstated.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 9 – Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 6
The Oklahoma City Comets scored three runs in the top of the first inning and led the rest of the night during a 9-6 win over the Tacoma Rainiers Thursday night.
The Comets jumped in front, 3-0, on a two-run single by Kody Hoese followed with a RBI single by Nick Senzel in the first inning. With the Comets leading, 3-1, Senzel launched a solo homer to start the fourth inning. Kiké Hernández later added a two-run single to make it 6-1.
OKC was ahead, 6-2 in the sixth inning when Luken Baker delivers a two-run double, giving the Comets their largest lead of the night. After Tacoma had the bases empty with two outs in the seventh inning, the Rainiers rallied for three runs, cutting OKC’s lead to 8-5.
José Ramos pushed the advantage back to four runs with a RBI double in the eighth inning. The Rainiers scored one run in the bottom of the eighth inning and had the bases loaded with two outs when José Rodríguez struck out Cade Marlowe to end the inning. Rodríguez retuned to the mound in the ninth inning and struck out all three batters to end the game.
The Comets have won two of the first three games against the second-half leading Rainiers. OKC has won three of the last four games overall and five of their last six road games.
Nick Senzel hit OKC’s lone home run with a solo blast in the fourth inning. He finished the game 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Esteury Ruiz had a game-high three hits and went 3-for-5 with three runs. Over his 12 games since returning to OKC from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ruiz is 18-for-46 (.391) with three home runs, one triple, three doubles, 10 RBI, 18 runs, 16 walks and 11 stolen bases…He has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games with OKC.
Kody Hoese hit a two-run single to give the Comets their first lead and has now his safely in six straight games and 15 of his last 16 games. Hoese also has three straight multi-RBI games, tallying seven RBI during that time.
Hyeseong Kim opened a Major League Rehab assignment by going 2-for-3 with one run scored. He played five innings in left field — his first game in left field at any level this season.
#Dodgers Hyeseong Kim's first at bat is an infield single into right field. #LetsGoDodgers #dodgersbaseball #ladodgers pic.twitter.com/k6AIPT5aQs
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 22, 2025
#Dodgers Hyeseong Kim fights one off for his second single of the night that loads the bases with one out. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/pOx6RHNIeP
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 22, 2025
Kiké Hernández continued his Major League Rehab Assignment in his second game with OKC. He went 2-for-3 with two RBI and played five innings in center field. Hernández is 4-for-6 with three RBI over his first two games on the rehab assignment.
Kiké brings across ✌️! pic.twitter.com/RGHVglRmR0
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 22, 2025
#Dodgers Kiki Hernadez playing CF tonight. Kiki puts one up the middle to lead off the top of the third. #LetsGoDodgers #ladodgers #dodgersbaseball pic.twitter.com/OkjaJbBJ60
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 22, 2025
The Dodgers are getting some BIG bullpen reinforcements during their series vs the Padres in Petco Park this weekend.
Tanner Scott will return on Friday.
Kirby Yates will return on Saturday.
This is going to be fun 🍿 pic.twitter.com/XClquyE4Rp
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 21, 2025
Tulsa Drillers 10 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 0
The Tulsa Drillers have won over 60 percent of their games this season when scoring five or more runs. That winning trend continued on Thursday night as the Drillers totaled 10 runs on 11 hits and 12 walks and posted a 10-0 shutout victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
The big offensive night was complemented by a stellar start on the mound from Patrick Copen. The West Virginia native picked up his first Double-A win by pitching 5.2 scoreless innings to help lead the Drillers to their tenth shutout victory of the year.
Tulsa also gained ground in the Texas League North Division second-half playoff race with the win. The Drillers are now one game back of first-place Springfield as the Cardinals fell to Arkansas on Thursday. The win also increased Tulsa’s lead to five games over the Naturals, who are tied with Arkansas and Wichita for third place in the second half.
The Drillers can gain a playoff berth by winning the second-half division title or by finishing in second place to the Cardinals, who won the first half.
Tulsa gave Copen an early lead by scoring in the first inning. Zach Ehrhard began the game with a single and scored with two outs when Chris Newell tripled to right field.
The Drillers added three more runs by recording five singles in the fourth inning with Kole Myers, Eduardo Guerrero and Ehrhard each driving in a run.
Tulsa scored again in the fifth when Griffin Lockwood-Powell led off the inning with a walk. After he had advanced to second base on a wild pitch, he scored on Taylor Young’s single, upping the Drillers lead to 5-0.
Another three runs scored in the seventh thanks to four walks and James Tibbs III’s two-RBI single, increasing the margin to eight runs.
Ehrhard drove in the Drillers final runs of the night with his two-run ninth-inning homer.
Tulsa is 36-14 this season when scoring five or more runs. The Drillers have reached that mark in 10 of their last 15 games.
Copen has now struck out 142 hitters across High-A and Double-A this season, which is tied for the fourth most in all of Minor League Baseball.
Jeisson Cabrera and Jorge Benitez also pitched in the game to complete the shutout. Cabrera pitched 2.1 innings following Copen and did not allow a hit while striking out two. Benitez followed by tossing a scoreless ninth with one strikeout.
Ehrhard reached base four times in six plate appearances. He earned three hits, including his 2nd HR, drove in four runs, scored two runs and drew a walk. He also stole two bases and now has 26 steals for the season against only 3 caught stealing. Don’t look now Zach Ehrhard has a chance to be a 5th OF to jump into the top 100 next pre-season.
Newell’s first-inning triple increased his on-base streak to 32 straight games. The streak is the second-longest in the Texas League, trailing teammate Lockwood-Powell, who had a 36-game streak earlier this season.
Eduardo Guerrero’s RBI single in the third inning was his first Double-A hit.
Young stole his 34th base on Thursday, which is the third most in the Texas League.
Peter Heubeck takes the mound in Friday’s game.
- Zach Ehrhard – 3-5, 1 BB, 2 runs, 4 RBI, HR (2)
- Taylor Young – 2-6, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Eduardo Guerrero – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI
- Triple – Chris Newell (2)
Great Lakes Loons 7 – Quad Cities River Bandits (KC) 1
Just 1 game back!
🟢 Jake Gelof: 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 3 R
🟢 Maddux Bruns: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 8 SO
🟢 Joe Vetrano: 2B, BB, RBI, 2 R pic.twitter.com/MoPyzqEUJv— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) August 22, 2025
The Great Lakes Loons limited the Quad Cities River Bandits to one run for the second straight night, a 7-1 Loons.
Loons starter Maddux Bruns struck out eight, a season-best over his 4.2 innings. After a double, sac bunt, and error started the outing, Bruns retired 14 of the next 18. Quad Cities’ run tallied in the first came unearned.
Great Lakes quickly took the lead with a two-run second inning. River Bandits starter Emmanuel Reyes walked three. Kendall George, with the bases loaded, provided an RBI infield single. Josue De Paula walked with the bases loaded.
The Loons tacked on two in the middle innings. De Paula’s second RBI came on a sac fly to right field. It scored Joe Vetrano, who started the inning, reaching on an error. Vetrano plated the fourth Great Lakes run, with a two-out RBI double up the left field line. Jake Gelof doubled ahead of Vetrano against Quad Cities reliever Mauricio Veliz.
The baton passing on offense extended into the seventh. Jake Gelof roped a two-run RBI double, plating Zyhir Hope and Logan Wagner, who each walked aboard. Gelof was plated on a balk. In that ensuing at-bat, River Bandits catcher Canyon Brown was ejected during a mound visit. Later on, manager Jesus Azuaje and a ball boy were also tossed by home plate umpire Richy Arredonde.
Joseilyn Gonzalez earned the win, inheriting two runners in the fifth inning and completing the inning with a groundout.
Reynaldo Yean, Myles Caba and Christian Ruebeck all had a scoreless frame. Yean and Caba punched out two, while Ruebeck struck out the side.
After a split in the Lake County-Fort Wayne doubleheader, the Loons are now 0.5 games back of the Captains. Great Lakes have 15 games remaining.
- Jake Gelof – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (19)
- Joe Vetrano – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (17)
- Triple – Frank Rodriguez (1)
Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 8 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3
The Modesto Nuts rallied for four runs in the sixth, taking the lead for good in an 8-3 victory over the Quakes on Thursday.
A two-out RBI single from Austin St. Laurent tied the game and a three-run homer from Ryan Picollo gave the Nuts the lead for good against Rancho reliever Will Maynard, giving Modesto their second win in three days in the series.
Rancho starter Marlon Nieves was sharp over five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, leaving with a 2-1 lead after five.
The Quakes grabbed the lead, thanks to run-scoring hits from Jaron Elkins and Oswaldo Osorio, both of whom finished with two hits on the night.
Modesto led 5-2 after their four-run outburst in the sixth, then piled up additional runs on the Quakes’ bullpen, as Rancho never recovered.
Rancho will send Jesus Tillero to the mound on Friday night, as he’ll take on Modesto’s Chia-Shi Shen at 6:30pm.
At this point the Dodgers should just start Alex Call in LF every night. Regardless of righty-lefty match-ups, splits etc, just send a message that “enough is enough” and Conforto sits. When Kike is back, Conforto gets DFA’d.
Will the returns of Tanner Scott, Yates, Kike, Kim, Kopech and Muncy be the late season additions the Dodgers (didn’t accomplish at the trade deadline) move them to playing quality baseball down the stretch. Lets hope so. Go Dodgers!
Health. That is the key element in the Dodgers march to a pennant. They have it, they compete. They don’t? They won’t.
I see Kim and Kiké rehabbing. Scott and Yates returning. Where are Edman, Muncy and Kopech?
Kopech is rehabbing in OKC as well. He pitched 0.1 inning to get final out last night after allowing a BB and hit. I am not sure he has pitched a decent rehab game yet. He is not eligible to come off IL until August 27.
Ehrhard looks legit
Not that it matters much, but he has my attention.
Looks like both outfielders we got for Dustin May have started out strong in AA.
And Dustin is doing well in Boston. This could be one of those win-win trades.
Wonder if they try to resign him this winter since he is a free agent. They are also considering moving Buehler to the bullpen.
Get Muncy & Dman back and we are good.
LF can be covered by Call & Keekay if Conforto struggles [lol]
2B by Freeland & Kim in a pinch
We’re rounding into form
Dodgers had Kim rehabbing in LF last night
Thanks for the education regarding the waiver wire rules. It would be strange if an outfielder better than Edman, Kike or Kim becomes available. (Interesting that Kim is getting some action in LF–perhaps another sign that the Conforto Era will end.)
One thing I don’t understand: Why Buddy Kennedy and not Nick Senzel? Was that some logistical matter concerning the 40-man roster or something? Honestly, I had never heard of Buddy Kennedy before the Dodgers picked him up. But no worries: We should have Max back soon.
Assuming good health, the Dodgers should be in fine shape for the stretch run. While I’m not worried long-term, it would be nice for Rushing to start hitting.
When I read the minor league reports, I see hope for the future.
Maddux Bruns seems to be figuring it out and might yet justify his No. 1 draft status.
And Kendall George continues to impress. Among Dodger OF prospects, he’s rated below De Paula, Hope, Sirota, Quintero and Tibbs… Dave Roberts suggests that George could be another Billy Hamilton with that speed. For the Dodgers, he’d probably be a weapon off the bench. But for some teams, he’d bat leadoff.
I don’t know what the Pads gave up for Laureano and O’Hearn. Maybe you’re right that AF missed out because he was focused on Kwan. What did the Guardians want?
I have asked the same question why Buddy Kennedy over Nick Senzel. The Dodgers had a better than Buddy Kennedy playing 3rd in OKC. Senzel has also started 17 games in LF. He can fill in at 2B and SS. He is not Kiké, but he is a better option than Buddy Kennedy, who seemingly can only play 3B.
It had nothing to do with the 40 man. Kennedy had to be added to the 40 man when he was claimed off waivers. They could have just as easily added Senzel or Ward. Instead they chose to pick up Kennedy off waivers from Toronto.
From my archives:
· Baltimore trades 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn and LF Ramón Laureano to San Diego for LHP Boston Bateman (San Diego #4 prospect, 50 FV), SS/2B Cobb Hightower (San Diego prospect #6, 45 FV), RHP Tyson Neighbors (San Diego Prospect #12, 45 FV), Victor Figueroa (San Diego prospect #29, FV 40), RHRP Tanner Smith (not on San Diego top 30 prospect list), 2B/SS/OF Brandon Butterworth (not on San Diego top 30 prospect list).
.
This is one the Dodgers could have done better had they had the time to work it out or maybe they just preferred Alex Call and did not pursue Laureano. Only LAD brain trust knows, and they are not spilling.
I do agree that Kendall George could be a Billy Hamilton type. I do not believe he will be traded as he probably has more utility as that Billy Hamilton type for LAD than what he would bring back in a trade. The one drawback is he is already in a crowded OF and it will not get easier the higher up the organization they all go. I like Kendall George. I always have. He just needs someone like Brett Butler to work with him. He is actually doing very well this year. He has a higher OPS in a more pitcher friendly league than last year in the California League. He has more walks (76) than strikeouts (72). And if he gets on base, he is a definite threat to run. He needs a good base running/stealing coach to help him cut down on CS. That undoubtedly has to do with reading the pitchers and getting a good jump. He does not need an exceptional jump, just a good one.
Nice win yesterday with some positive showings from Freeland, Call and Pages. The top of the order finally contributed some much needed offense as well.
On to San Diego.
Apparently, Yates will return on Saturday which some see as a positive. Unless, his arm injury was the reason for his poor performance so far this season, I don’t see why. Same with the Friday return of Tanner Scott. But, again, rested BP arms are welcomed right now. Let’s see how things go.
I don’t know if anyone is watching the Little League WS. You should check it out. I haven’t watched for several years. A friend of 70 years has a grandson who just missed making the Las Vegas (Mountain Region) team and with his encouragement to watch I have for the past three games. They won again last night and are facing a team from Connecticut (Metro Region) for the USA championship on Saturday at 12:30 PST (ESPN/ABC). The winner will play the international champion on Sunday at 12 PST for the LLWS title.
Vegas played Connecticut on Wed and lost a thriller of a game in the final inning. What’s fascinating is the high level of fundamentals these kids play with. The Dodgers should pay attention. I will never again say a major league team is playing like little leaguers. I could only wish. Vegas has an all around very good team. Connecticut plays defense that blows your mind. Both teams pitch well and even with that there is some good offensive output. But, it’s the defense and fundamentals that these kids play that really is impressive. Finally, the added pressure from the media attention and the microscope they play under, these kids are truly amazing. If you have the time you might want to check it out.
Carry on.
A shout out to Phil Jones. I believe he mentioned he has a surgery either today or tomorrow. Well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope they find out what’s ailing you. Take care.
Yes. Prayers going your way Phil.
thanks for asking Ted and Jeff. Yes, I had surgery on Wednesday. They took a small tumor out of my bladder. While the returns from pathology haven’t come back it is very likely malignant. Hopefully they got it all and nothing spread outside the walls of my bladder. From what I read if it hasn’t spread. Depending on the type of cancer, it is very treatable.
I’m home but the worst part right now is the catheter that will be my best friend until next Wednesday.
My spirits are good and my outlook positive. It is what it is and I will do my best.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
You’re a good commenter. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
With Edman, Kike Hernandez, Kim, and Muncy all due back on the roster, the Dodgers are going to need to move three position players off their major league roster. I am assuming that Kim will be on the major league roster. Dean and Kennedy are the two obvious moves. Do they DFA Conforto and keep Freeland or do they send Freeland down and keep Conforto. Freeland would look to be safe until both Edman and Muncy return. When they are all back, that will be interesting. With Hernandez able to play left field and Kim playing there on his rehab, maybe the patience with Michael Conforto is running out. Personally, if Conforto is pretty much who he has been all year, the decision is not difficult, in my opinion. Especially if Freeland is truly settling in at the plate.
For an organization that supposedly has the number 1 rated (or top 5) farm system, they use the waiver wire way too much. IMO, they need to stop claiming these horrible players off the waiver wire. Normally, there are very few if any productive players on the waiver wire, it’s normally guys like Buddy Kennedy who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat, or was thrown into the pacific ocean.
The Dodgers have guys in the minors in OKC and Tulsa who can come up and play and do the job or at least they can’t do any worse than guys they pick up off waivers like Kennedy, or Noah Davis. If someone gets injured, just make a call to the farm, stop using the waiver wire.
For once Scott, I agree. Get what you need at the deadline and don’t rely on other teams’ castoffs. It is really time to cut Conforto. His performance yesterday was just embarrassing. Cubs are going to have a memorial for Ryne Sandberg who passed away from cancer at age 65 recently. Rangers are unveiling a statue of Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre today. Brewers are holding a celebration of life for Bob Uecker today after their game. Royals released Mark Canha.
Per Sonja Chen’s column today:
So for those who said that Mookie was selfish and was insistent on playing SS over RF, that is what Mookie says. So for those who continue to troll Mookie about being selfish and not wanting to move back to RF, I guess you will have to accept what he is saying or you are calling him a liar. Thank goodness, we only had a couple on this site who were in that category, but they are very prevalent on other sites.
Betts with +11 defensive runs saved is first in the NL in that category. I think his offense has suffered more from his illness and loss of strength than anything else, then his lack of confidence at the plate was an issue too.
I can’t help but wonder had Betts moved to second would he still have had so much difficulty with his offensive game. I never blamed him for this move, this is on management.
For those that have been around a while they will remember I wanted Seager to third and Andrelton Simmons at short. Then I wanted Lindor. Then I wanted Bogaerts. Now? Kim? I think he’s probably the best we have for that position.
Freeland is getting valuable experience, but I think he goes down when everyone gets back.
Sure hope Scott, Yates and Stewart are there and healthy for the last two months of the season.
The Rockies released Austin Gomber. Gomber was the main return in the Nolan Arenado trade with the Cardinals.