LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers invited 15 players, including nine former Great Lakes Loons, to their fifth annual developmental minicamp at Dodger Stadium in January.

Former Loons include pitcher Steven Ames, pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, pitcher Shawn Tolleson, pitcher Josh Wall, pitcher Allen Webster, catcher Griff Erickson, outfielder Alfredo Silverio, outfielder Scott Van Slyke and catcher Matt Wallach.

Other Dodger minor leaguers invited include itchers Michael Antonini, Stephen Fife and Chris Withrow, plus position players Alex Castellanos, Tim Federowicz and Tyler Henson.

Two of the former Loons netted organizational honors, with Tolleson named the Dodgers minor league Pitcher of the Year and Van Slyke earning minor league Player of the Year honors.

De La Rosa, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was at last year’s mini-camp, as was Erickson and Wallach.

The minicamps is to help the top prospects in the farm system get a little extra help as they near a possible promotion to the major leagues. It also gives Dodgers officials a chance to get a closer look at the prospects, while also giving the coaches a chance at some early instruction prior to spring training.

December 20, 2011 – American Association (AA) Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
FARGO, N.D. – Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B C.J. Retherford had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the American Association club announced Tuesday.

Retherford, 26, batted .339 with 24 doubles, four home runs, 37 RBI and 34 runs scored in 56 games for Fargo-Moorhead last season. He joined the RedHawks in late June after being released by the Detroit Tigers organization.

Retherford began his professional career in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox organization after signing as a non-drafted free agent out of Arizona State University. Retherford quickly advanced through the White Sox minor league chain, reaching Triple-A with the Charlotte (N.C.) Knights of the International League in 2010.

Retherford is the second player from the 2011 squad to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization, and 55th in franchise history. RHP Alex Caldera was purchased by the Florida Marlins in August.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Read More: John Grabow (P – LOS), Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers

According to reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed left-handed reliever John Grabow to a minor league deal. The transaction was first tweeted by John Scanlan on Saturday and was verified by MLB Trade Rumors.

The 33-year-old Grabow struggled after he was acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 2009. Grabow posted a 5.52 ERA in 88 innings while knee and shoulder injuries caused him to miss games. It was a disappointing tenure especially after Grabow signed a two-year, $7.5 million extension four months into his time with the Cubs.

In 506 games over a nine-year career, Grabow is 24-19 with a 4.31 ERA in 476.1 innings pitched. He started his MLB career in 2003 with the Pirates after being selected in the 3rd round of the 1997 amateur draft.

For more on the Dodgers and their minor league deals, and more, be sure to read True Blue LA.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mike Scioscia can be forgiven for getting a big head over this: The Los Angeles Dodgers are honoring the manager of the rival Angels with his own bobblehead night.

The Dodgers said Thursday that fans will get the Scioscia bobbleheads when he brings the Angels to Chavez Ravine for an
interleague game on June 12.

Scioscia, a two-time All-Star catcher, spent his entire playing career with the Dodgers from 1980-92 and helped them win World Series titles in 1981 and 1988.

Other bobblehead promotions this year include Maury Wills with Don Drysdale (April 28), Orel Hershiser (May 15), the infield quartet of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey (May 29), Hall of Fame managers Tommy Lasorda and Walter Alston (July 14) and Fernando Valenzuela (Aug. 21).