Vazquez facing child sex charges
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, whom the Dodgers attempted to acquire before the trade deadline, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of statutory sexual assault and soliciting a child.
Authorities in Florida said they began investigating the 28-year-old’s relationship with a 15-year-old girl in August. They were informed Vazquez started a sexual relationship with her when she was 13. The girl allegedly received a message from him in July in which he performed a sex act and authorities said they identified him by his tattoos. Vazquez also texted the girl to ask if she wanted to meet for a sexual encounter after the season, according to police.
Vazquez was arraigned and denied bond, with the judge saying Vazquez was a flight risk. He was put on administrative leave by Major League Baseball.
Two months ago, Vazquez was named an AllStar for the second straight season. The Dodgers sought elite relief help at the July 31 trade deadline and were interested in acquiring the hard-throwing left-hander. Customary background checks conducted to evaluate trade targets produced concerns about Vazquez, but nothing resembling the charges levied Tuesday, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Ultimately, the Dodgers refused to meet the Pirates’ price, which started with top prospect Gavin Lux.
Verdugo ruled out of Division Series
Alex Verdugo said doctors ruled him out for the National League Division Series because of a lowerback injury that has sidelined the Dodgers outfielder since early September.
The best-case scenario for the rookie, who hit .294 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs in 106 games: The Dodgers win their first-round series and Verdugo is ready for the NL Championship Series on Oct. 11.
“It’s extremely disappointing,” Verdugo said. “I love to play.”
Verdugo was placed on the injured list Aug. 6 because of an oblique strain. He aggravated a back injury he suffered in May when he took a “big swing and miss” in a rehabilitation game Sept. 2.
Rookie Matt Beaty has filled Verdugo’s void, batting .279 with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 89 games, likely earning an NLDS roster spot.
“There’s some tightness, some stiffness and a little bit of pain in the back, but it feels better moving around with daily activity,” Verdugo said. “I’m going to give it a couple more weeks, get ramped up, and hopefully I’ll be close to making the next step by the time the NLCS starts.”
Hill has MRI
An MRI test confirmed that Rich Hill suffered another strain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Thursday, but the 39year-old left-hander is refusing to succumb to the injury. Hill threw off a bullpen mound for 10 to 12 minutes Tuesday.
“He tried to put his foot in a position to relieve stress on the knee,” Roberts said. “It’s per his tolerance. There’s nothing structural to where he has to be shut down .... That [fourth rotation] spot is very cloudy right now. I would just say this: I can see that Game 4 being a little unconventional.”
Turner update
Justin Turner remained sidelined because of a leftankle sprain, but the third baseman, who hasn’t played since Sept. 7, is making progress.
“It’s not to a point where I hoped it would be, but it’s definitely getting better every day,” Turner said.
Roberts doesn’t think Turner will need many atbats to be playoff ready. “With his track record, he’s shown he can get ready to play in games with a short ramp-up,” Roberts said.