Our new site includes several new features that bring fans closer to the team, its players, and the game. An expanded game center includes live in-game scoring and player information, upcoming schedle, and promotional news. Albuquerquebaseball.com also has feature areas dedicated to the latest video content and highlights, along with one-click access to social media platforms that give fans opportunities to directly connect with the Isotopes and other ‘Topes fans. You’ll also be able to easily access our ticket center and view detailed information on upcoming homestands, as well as browse the latest headline news from the Isotopes, the Los Angeles Dodgres, and Minor League Baseball.

So, surf away and let us know what you think!

March 15, 2010

Gagne To Albuquerque? Now Looking More Probable

Today Eric Gagne was reassigned to Minor League camp, making the probability of the former Cy Young Award winner starting the season in Albuquerque better and better.

In a text message to Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com, Gagne wrote, “I’m on my way back I knew it wasn’t gonna be easy. But I’m gonna go down there and work my butt off and be ready if they need help!! Long season.”

Now, whether “down there” means Albuquerque remains to be seen but it’s doubtful they would send someone with Gagne’s resume down to Double-A. However, Gagne does have an opt-out clause that releases him from his contract if he’s not on the Major League roster by April 5. If he’s not with the Dodgers on that date, Gagne could either exercise his out and become a free agent or accept his assignment to the Minor Leagues.

Left-hander Scott Elbert was also optioned to Minor League camp today, and there’s a very good chance the young southpaw will start the year in an Isotopes uniform. Last year, Elbert went 2-1 with a 3.74 ERA in eight games (seven starts) for the ‘Topes before getting a September call-up to Los Angeles. Elbert showed some signs of absolute dominance at Triple-A last season, tossing a rain-shortened, six-inning, one-hit shutout against Nashville on June 25.

Other players also reassigned to Minor League camp today include pitcher Scott Dohmann, outfielder Michael Restovich, and infielder John Lindsey, a trio of players almost guaranteed to break Spring Training with Albuquerque.

March 15, 2010

Gagne To Albuquerque? Now Looking More Probable

Today Eric Gagne was reassigned to Minor League camp, making the probability of the former Cy Young Award winner starting the season in Albuquerque better and better.

March 14, 2010

Dodgers Send Four To Minor League Camp

Today the Dodgers exiled four players from Major League camp to Minor League camp, two of whom could very well start the season in Albuquerque. Right-handed reliever Francisco Felix, right-hander Kenley Jansen, outfielder Brian Barton, and catcher Gabriel Gutierrez were all sent to the Minor League side of the complex at Camelback Ranch after very limited play in Spring Training Games.

Felix, who finished the season in Albuquerque last year, and Barton are probably the best bets to start the season in Isotopes uniforms, given the pair’s extensive Triple-A experience. Jansen, a converted catcher who saw action last year in Albuquerque as a back-stop, could reach Triple-A this season. After being converted to a pitcher, Jansen finished last year at Single-A Inland Empire.

Barton only got two at-bats with the Major League team (0-for-2) this spring and Felix combined for one inning in two appearances, allowing six hits and three runs. Barton and Jansen got the news in Taiwan, where they’ve been with the Dodgers on a goodwill series.

March 11, 2010

Wallach = Scioscia?

In his Dodgers Blog for the L.A. Times, Steve Dilbeck makes an interesting comparison between ‘Topes manager Tim Wallach and Angels skipper (and former Dukes manager) Mike Scioscia. Interesting food for thought… read it here.

March 7, 2010

AJ On The Spot

News today on Dodgers.com that catcher Russell Martin will be sidelined four to six weeks with a pulled groin has thrust former Isotope A.J. Ellis to the front of the Dodgers’ catching depth chart, meaning there’s a good chance Ellis will open the 2010 season as Los Angeles’ starting backstop.

Joe Torre has stated that Brad Ausmus will continue to serve as the backup during Spring Training and there are no plans to pursue a catcher outside the organization so it looks like, at least for now, the job is Ellis’s to lose.

It’s a quite a reversal from a few months ago when Ausmus signed a one-year contract, essentially guaranteeing Ellis another year in Albuquerque. Now Ellis will get a chance to prove himself for a prolonged period (an opportunity he didn’t really get last year in two brief call-ups) and maybe earn a spot that would keep him in L.A. when Martin returns.

As for the ‘Topes, there’s still plenty of time left in Spring Training but an early candidate for the lion’s share of Albuquerque’s catching duties is J.D. Closser, who joined the Isotopes last June and was the team’s starting catcher in the playoffs last year after Ellis got called up. Also keep an eye on Lucas May, a prospect who is well thought of in the Dodgers organization, getting his third straight invitation to Major League camp this year. Last season, May got off to a solid start at Double-A Chattanooga before going on the DL in late May with a fractured wrist. He came back in July and ended the season batting .306 with six homers and 32 RBI in 68 games. To get some more at-bats, May spent last fall in the Arizona Fall League and batted a scorching .325 with two homers and 12 RBI in 12 games.

May has played the last two seasons at Double-A so it makes sense that this year he’d get a chance to prove himself at Triple-A.