Dodgers Territory - Dodgers Hitting Their Stride? Kiké Returns; Stephen Nelson Joins!

Episode Date: May 26, 2026

  Alanna Rizzo, Katie Woo, and Clint Pasillas welcome Dodgers play-by-play man Stephen Nelson to the show! But first, the hosts dive into a team that has won 10 of its last 12 games (1:00). Are the Dodgers hitting their stride or is there still work to be done? (4:13) Kiké Hernandez made his 2026 debut and was an immediate impact player. Thoughts on the return of the vibes and the elbow injury that neutralized him last season. (9:46) Friend of the show Stephen Nelson makes his triumphant return to DT and shares his thoughts on the team, Shohei Ohtani's dominance on the mound, Roki Sasaki's growth, and much more! 🌶️ Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order* seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount Subscribe to the podcast!https://www.youtube.com/@DodgersTerritory  Follow our social media channels for more content!https://x.com/LADTerritory https://www.instagram.com/ladterritory/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578546105253  Check out DT merch at https://dodgersterritoryshop.com Support Guidry's Guardian at https://guidrysguardian.org Find Clint on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@alldodgers Follow Katie's work at The Athletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/katie-woo/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not. Quite on Humor Me with Robert Smygel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So the last time I was around Mooki by the batting cave is the last road trip.

And very much from just like the initial DAP vibe check, it was like, today's not a good day. And welcome to a Tuesday live edition of Dodgers territory. I hope everybody had a nice Memorial Day yesterday. And thank you, of course, to those that paid the ultimate price for the freedom of our country. I'm Alana Rizzo. That is Katie Wu, of course. She also writes for The Athletic. Make sure you follow her.

And Clint Paseas. Glad to have you guys with us. Rate us five stars. Like and subscribe to the Dodgers Territory podcast on Apple, Spotify, wherever you get your pods as we try to make our way to 20,000 subs. We're excited. Stephen Nelson just confirmed. He will be joining us momentarily. But before we get to Nellie, let's get into the big ticket.

All right. So we're finally starting to win some games consecutively. Katie, you're there every single day. Dodgers winners of 10 of their last 12. They now have a two and a half game advantage. West, how did they do it? Yeah, they did it by playing Dodger baseball. So they come on the road, 10 game road trip, go seven and two, take care of business against the Angels. And then two series in which they rally back down in the first game to the Padres and the Brewers,

just lights out performance by the pitching. Then they come back to LA, a good come from behind victory against the Rockies. They're just doing what we expect them to do. The Dodgers bullpen, I think we collectively probably haven't talked enough about how they have been so, so good, so, so successful. I'm sure we'll talk about that later in the show. You pair that with a lights out starting rotation that ranks atop the National League in several categories and the offense showing signs of life and all of a sudden the Dodgers look a lot more like we thought they would. You know, it's a lot more fun when we're doing these kind of shows, guys, where we don't need to, you know, temper the, not even temper expectations, but talk people off of a ledge.

We know, we knew eventually this team would be good, just every once in a while. You're going to have cold stretches. You're going to have bad streak. where things don't fall their way. Right now, things are falling their way. And when the offense eventually kicks in, you know, as long as you put points on the board, I don't care if it's in the first or the second or the third or in the seventh or whatever it is.

As long as they eventually score some runs, you're in a good spot, and that's what this team is doing. And the pitching has been very good. I mean, over the last two weeks, I got a team ERA at 2.1-1 starting pitching has been really good all season long, of 3.23 ERA, fifth in baseball. And as Katie was talking about that,

bullpen that vaunted Dodgers bullpen there is the best in baseball. One Kyle Hurt Homer aside, yesterday, they have a 287 ERA, which is the best in baseball. On my other show, we grew tired of the, what they call the trust tree and all that.

So we came up with the confidence cactus because we're idiots. And there's a lot of, lot of guys that are very on the cactus crew patent pending that's that's trademark a lot of guys on that cactus crew that you can trust right now everybody whether it's a kyle hurt in there whether it's tanner scott whether it's alex vesey even blake trine and getting some love in there from the the confidence cactus good really really a good stretch and it's fun to watch the team win baseball games with starting pitching because my god that is the dodger way it is true though

and again i don't think we're talking enough about the bullpen uh 287 erie best in Major League Baseball as we were talking about the team ERA over the last two weeks guys. 2.1 3.23 right now is fifth best in Major League Baseball of course over the course of the entire season so you get the starting pitching going deep you get the relievers being able to be the way that they want to be and you get to kind of go from the ninth inning and move backwards it's awesome they're doing really well biggest lead they've had in the division in a in a while they've won three straight the potteries have lost two in a row so that's good another big story before we welcome Stephen Nelson of sports in LA and AM 570. The top story, Kike Hernandez, making his season debut. He had an immediate impact, you guys.

We're talking Kikea as today's fan duel daily dinger. So there you have it. He returns to the lineup. He drops two hits and an RBI. Oh, by the way, as we expected, Katie, you nailed it. You did as well, Clint. Santiago Espinol, thank you. Bye.

I just hate that. I hate the business. the business side of things because he did everything that the daughters could have asked for him, but you love the fact that Kiki Hernandez is back. Is that your cat, Katie? I don't know where she came from. Apparently she got really excited for Daily Dingers.

I don't, I thought she was. Let us meet Veep. Let us meet Veep. Look at that little lady. Oh, hi, Mama. That's me. That is that is that is Vip Woo. Fandul, Daily Dingers.

Daily Dinger's enthusiast right here. But I mean, an immediate impact with Kiki back in that lineup, paying dividends right away. Yeah. Go for it, Katie. And that's exactly what we, what Dave Roberts said in Milwaukee. And we knew KK was going to come back. He was way ahead of his schedule with his rehab. But what we didn't know and Bobby Nardia of the athletic, my counterpart, did a great job explaining just how gruesome of an injury he was battling through to help the team win the World Series last year.

I mean, it was a, as, as Fabian said, woke up with Dr. Neal Eletrosch telling me this was the worst injury I've ever seen of this kind, and I don't know how he played. So I mean, I think we all know how dedicated Kike Hernandez is to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but this just goes ahead and proves it. When you really put into perspective, what he battled through to come back here for his final year or for his final guaranteed year in this contract, I should say. And then go out and have the immediate impact that we knew he would in yesterday's win. That's just the Kike Hernandez experience. And I, you know, really kind of, you hear the walkout song when he takes his abat and you just kind of get excited. That's just kind of what Kiki does. He gets everyone excited.

He's great for morale. And the Dodgers can eat him right now, especially with Max Muncie, kind of rehabbing from that hit by pitch in Milwaukee on Friday. Yeah. I really appreciated, Alana, the warm welcome that Kiki got last night, the stadium on a Monday, you know, obviously it's a holiday Monday. But a lot of love in there for Kike Hernandez making his return. and we saw some of the video. I'm not going to put it on here because MLV hates when you show video of the game and try to promote the game of Major League Baseball.

But we saw the injury that happened just about a year ago today, May 28th. He slides into home plate, kind of has his left elbow bent back in a way that makes me feel that he tore his UCL. I don't think we heard anything exactly about what the injury was, but probably pretty close to a hyper-extension, probably pretty close to what we saw with Max Muncie at first base a couple years ago, 2021 to end that season. But before that injury was not setting the world ablaze hit in just 226, but off the bench with a 740 OPS, had seven homers at the time, 17 ribbies in there. But after that injury, Kiki just wasn't himself.

Hit a buck 80. OPS just a hair over 500, eight total extra bases for the rest of the season. We know Kiki is good. We know he is an impact player. We know he brings the vibes above replacement through the roof for this team. He's not going to be, by any stretch of the imagination, a top slugger for this team or a top run producer. But he's going to make an impact like we saw, like you said last night, Riz. He's going to make an impact.

And that's why he is our Fandual Daily Dinger pick of the week. I mean, the thing is about Kiki, I don't care. I've said this a thousand times. I don't care if Kike Hernandez is 04 the regular season. I want him to be on the, whether it's the wildcard roster, the NL, you know, or start right into the NLDS roster for the postseason because that is where he shines. That's where he's most effective. And that's why he has made the reputation he has for himself.

It's October baseball. It's Kiktober baseball. And that's what we love. Great to have him back them. I love the wins above replacement stat that you said, but it's just a morale above replacement when it comes to Kike Hernandez as well. having him back in that lineup in the dugout, being able to contribute, whether it's in the starting lineup or coming off the bench.

He's just, he's a spitfire. He's an energy guy, and I appreciate it so much. Well, the MLB season is in full swing, and Fanduel is giving you a chance to call your shot with daily dingers. Joining the action is easy. Just make your free pick on who's hitting a home run in their game. And if you're right, you'll get a profit boost to use on your next bet for a chance at extra winnings. How do they do it, Katie? You can.

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If you have a gambling problem, call or text 1-800 gambler. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Never Lies available on all TSN platforms in the iHeartRadio app and i don't have a problem seeing uh seeing

this guy seeing this guy look at that guy look at that cutie japanese hawaiian american little guy we love him so much stephen nelson everybody sports net la am 570 on esPN on all kinds of things i can't even i can't even keep up with you stephen it is great to see you nellie thanks for taking the time um we are 50 some odd games into the season what is your grade? First of all, I think that intro is for Ron Darling, who is not in my house. That's a different person, Riz. You did not go to Yale like Ron Darling did. I did not. I most definitely did not go to Yale. That is a thousand percent correct. It is hard to believe that we're a third of the way through the year. That doesn't make any sense, but neither does time and space at this point. What is reality? What is reality is that the Dodgers are good? And, you know,

for that stretch where, gosh, they were what, 14 and 14 after that hot start, whatever it was. And, you know, the sky was seemingly falling all around this team because of the burden of expectation. You look up at the third poll. That doesn't sound as good as quarter pole, but the third poll. And they have a better record this year than they did in 2025. or 2024. Both those years World Series, obviously. So, you know,

and but look, that is kind of what we've come to expect from Dodger baseball. This is what the front office is built over the last decade and a half, just a model of sustainability and excellence with depth. And so even when you have hardly had your big dogs get really hot,

you look up in your two and a half games, clear the Padres in first place, the division, a top three record in baseball. So I guess it's just business as usual for the Dodgers. Nellie, speaking of the big dogs, hi, how are you, by the way? I was listening to you and EK last night on the broadcast, and we talked a lot about Muky Betts, who just has pretty much struggled to really find his group. He's had that oblique injury, of course.

And when you look at his average in the OPS, it doesn't look good. But when you look at the numbers, the metrics behind it, especially the things that we use to kind of decipher where a guy is with his approach. The chase rate's great. The strikeout rate's great. The width rate's great. When you're looking at these numbers, what does that tell you about where Mookie is right now?

And does it give you optimism that he's going to turn it around soon? I think that, you know, we as objective observers can have optimism about Mookie Betts, but we all know how Mookie Betts is wired. And that, hey, look at the baseball savant page Mook is only going to last so long for this guy. Because, you know, even when he is hot, you know, four for four he's like I don't know I don't know that I've ever met a superstar athlete who is so hard on himself the way Mookiee Betts is and and you know I think part of that is that's how the great ones are the great ones are just wired differently but there are

times when I wonder I'm like hey you know Mook have you forgotten who you are have you forgotten how great you are. And so that's why he's got teammates and coaches and obviously his close circle around him who are there to remind him of that time and again. But all that to say, Katie, that it's getting the point where Mookie now just needs to see the ball find the fairway again. You know, last, I will say like he does find joy and positivity and optimism in those little moments like the sack fly last night, just getting a job done to help the team win. Like those are the things that will buoy a player, especially for Moogie. But gosh, I mean, yeah, like when you see all that red on his baseball savant page,

you can't help feel optimistic that it's still coming around. And the last thing I'll say is that if you look at Mooky Betts' tenure as a Dodger, he has not had a normal year to date. When he got traded over, what happened? COVID, pandemic, then the lockout. then it's family stuff, then it's the World Baseball Classic, and then it is back to back starting the years overseas,

so a different spring there. Then this year, it's a World Baseball Classic, not playing in it again, because, again, more family stuff is they welcome another child. So there has not been a normal runway for Mookie to get a season going. And so he's still kind of in,

I would say, that spring training portion, just like Kiki is just starting out with coming off the injury. So I'm still very much hoarding all the Mookie bet stock that I can get. And the thing, you know, I've talked about this a lot, Nellie, is all that downtime, all the different things, whether it be the sickness or, you know, random little injuries, it's given Mookie a lot of time to tinker. And sometimes that's good. Sometimes that's bad. You know, also getting a little bit older. He's trying to put on some weight right now.

I think that could be something that's affecting him a good little bit there. Have you checked in with the mentals on Mookie? Like, is he feeling good? Um, so I, look, I, I try to have a feel. Um, so the last time I was around Mookieke by the batting case, it's the last road trip. And very much from just like the initial vibe check, it was like, today's not a good day. So we'll back up out of here. But apparently, excuse me, he did tell Joe Davis that he's as heaviest as he's ever been.

Yeah. with the Dodgers, which is encouraging me too. That was good. That was good. That's my thing. That's gimmick infringement. Is that what you're saying? Yeah, yeah.

I'll see your ass in court, Riz. I do think that, you know, it's good to see him strong, looking healthy. The bat speed is up. The fast swing rate. Dr. Caducey was going to check on that last night, and then we got sidetracked, so I've got to follow up on that. But just to see where things are up. Because that, you know, that was a topic of conversation, you know, last year as well, you know, when he was really fighting to get things going offensively. He's like, you know, his bat speeds down.

Not only that, it's a fast swing rate, all the different data that we have out there. So, again, I think that, you know, all things considered, even though the numbers are unsightly relative to mooky bets, I still believe that he's in a good spot. A welcome site is Kiki Hernandez taking the field. There's just an energy that abounds when he is back, paid dividends immediately. What do you like about him being back in that lineup? And playing third last night, obviously, because Max Muncie's still dealing with that wrist issue. Yeah, I think I think Kike's presence, one, you know, we could talk about the energy.

We all know that. But to see him have the results last night in his first game, you know, know, on the heels of a rehab assignment where he didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball, right? And it's a little different than when a pitcher is on rehab. It's very easy to be like, well, who cares about his numbers? He's maybe trying to work on some specific pitches, yada, yada, for a hitter, I think it's a little different because, you know, your numbers on a rehab assignment are kind of indicative of how you're seeing the baseball. And it wasn't like, you know, you're looking at what he did with the comments in O'KC. You're like, ah, is he ready?

So for him to come back, not just have two hits, but hit a hard ball down the pole side, then leg out an infield single. You can definitely tell when our cameras cut to him in the dugout, when the Dodgers pinch hit for him, that I don't think he was happy about that. But, you know, that's to be expected for a guy who wants to play because he still feels like he's in spring. But I think Alana is that now Max can, I think you get an extra. day or two. You know, they're facing a left hand and started today and Kyle Freeland, you know, so it's just another, um, a happy coincidence that the Dodgers can give Moncy another breather

and just kind of allow that risk to heal up a little bit because you don't want her to come back too soon. Even though, you know, Max is tough and could play, you know, he was ready to come into the game last night. Um, I, I just think that's the best thing for, for him and the team. If he just takes another breather and then you get Kike some more A-Bs and chance to see the baseball some more. I think it's good for everybody involved. Nellie, we've talked a lot about this stellar Dodgers bullpen. And about a month ago, a little over a month ago, I think there was some apprehension when Edmund Diaz went down.

Not really sure what that night was going to look like. Dave Roberts said, we're back to closer by committee. We know how that went for most of last year. And we are not seen really any signs of that. Talked about how good Tanner Scott has been. Blake Trinon, he's pretty stable. Is there any out, Alex Bessia, of course, can't forget him. Is there any one of the newer guys or maybe the less experienced guys

that have stood out to you that's really impressed you in this run for the bullpen? I know he gave up a home run last night, Katie, but Kyle Hurt has ascended quickly in the trust tree for Dock and the bullpen, which is really encouraging to see. I mean, we heard a lot about Kyle at the stretch run last season, like, hey, Kyle Hurts coming back off injury. He could be a weapon in the bullpen. Got close, but the team just decided not to push him, essentially.

And now this year, you know, since he's been up with the club, it's just been nothing but zeros. And it was just a matter of time before somebody got clipped and it just happened to be him. I would say hurt. In Garo Enriquez, too. I didn't understand that he hadn't given up a hit in this stretch where the bullpen has been dominating.

You know, so for Enriquez to kind of build confidence, you know, those are, you know, I'm like, I have a million thoughts at one time, but like, you know, you're thinking about all the veteran relievers that they have who are coming back from injury, Brock Stewart, obviously, the closest to return. You know, they're hoping for Evan Phillips to the second half, along with Diaz, whom you mentioned.

Now you're looking at some of the young guys with options, right? Because those are the easiest ones to kind of move down to make room. So I love to see those guys kind of play, produce, and build confidence and make it hard for Andrew Friedman and Brandon Goams and Dave, all the decision makers when it comes time for that bullpour. pin roster crunch. So I would say her and Enrique's got good problems to have one problem that is not, I guess one thing they have. It's not a problem for the Dodgers. I don't know. I'm just trying to get to show Hey Otani here. He has been impressive on the bump to say the least this year, Nellie.

7.73 ERA better than advertised. And do you think that maybe he's not getting enough love? If we can say that Shohei flipping Otani is not getting enough love nationally, it feels like his pitching is not getting the respect it deserves. What are your thoughts on Shohei on the bump this year? I see, Clint, I think I'm starting to sense a little bit of potential show hay fatigue when I listen to national conversation. Like, it's a very different conversation in the voting process, I assume, will be when it comes to the Siong as it relates or compared to the MVP because you're looking

at his offensive numbers the last two years and like gosh like if he just does anything on the mound like to see he's the MVP even when he didn't do anything on the mound of 24 or his MVP was just that good offensively but now it's a pitching specific award so can you I'm asking like I guess rhetorically to voting body for the BBWAA who have Siong award votes. Do you elevate his pitching numbers when you add in his offense? Or do you have to specifically look at the pitching numbers and try to block out that he's doing it while playing every day basically as the designated hitter? I wonder how that is going to be handled. But the fact that he is handling those duties with such dominance and excellence,

like he's got to be the leader in the clubhouse right now for, granted, it's not even June yet. So I don't want people to get over their skein down my throat about this. But like, you know, Christopher Sanchez has been phenomenal. Paul Skeens has kind of left the door open with some help from the Pirates' Defense for other candidates to get involved in this race. You know, I saw an interesting nugget this year because Mason Miller is justifiably getting a ton of run and love this year. He's been so dominant and it's awesome to see. made or Hersheyershizer sweat a little bit with that scoreless inning stretch.

Hold on we'll deny it, but we see right through that, Riz. But I think it was Daniel Brim, who pointed out that Antonio Sanzatella, who's become a weapon for the Rockies in the bullpen this year, has a higher win probability added rate than Mason Miller does this year. So it is kind of interesting, all that to say, and I'm not trying to put down Mason Miller. It is just how the narratives can be twisted and manipulated nationally when it comes to these, you know, league-wide, you know, award conversations.

But, I mean, for our money, obviously we have eyeballs on them every game. Like what Shohei Otani is doing is amazing. And now the last thought, I know I ramble every time I'm with you guys and I apologize to that. Last thought. I do not want anybody to forget what the guys are. around Otani, specifically Emmett Sheehan, just the last couple of weeks, have done to allow for this, right? For the Dodgers to maintain the six-man rotation.

Emmett Sheehan switched spots with Otani last week to give Shohei an extra day so he could start ahead of the off day. And so Sheehan went on short a rest for the first time this year, four days rest. And obviously it wasn't a great outing for him, gave up the couple home runs. Same thing this week, right? I mean, it was five days rest, normal rest. and Sheehan was much better. But that's something that Emmett Sheehan, whose future in the rotation is not set in stone,

is doing to allow for this. And I know, I'm not saying that like Shohei himself doesn't acknowledge us. But I just think that the casual observers for the Dodgers should also pay attention to that and appreciate what the team is doing for. Nellie, what should the casual observers, veteran observers, all observers observe when they're watching Roki Sasaki? We made such a big deal about his great outing against the angels. And some people were saying it's only because it was the angels.

And we thought to look at it in a different way to be able to say, hey, as long as he continues to make improvement, that's a good thing. But against the Brewers, you know, five innings didn't go that deep into the game, had the four hits, three runs, two of which were earned. One of them was not his responsibility. But just four punchouts. His ERA right now just under five. You see him every fifth day, every sixth day.

What should we make of the body of work so far for Roki? Yeah, Alana, I think you're spot on. And I'm with you wholeheartedly on that. Just seeing steps forward, even if they're tiny, the most incremental baby steps, you're still moving forward for Roki Sasaki and kind of raising your own bar, your own floor, and kind of like just setting or establishing a level of confidence. I always harken back to after his first outing of the year against Cleveland, when he admitted to the media afterwards,

I had no confidence going into this one. You're like, what? I appreciate the vulnerability and the transparency, but what? You know, and so to go from that place to now, and yeah, the angels are the angels of the worst team in baseball, and on paper, it's a good matchup for any pitcher at this point. But Roki Sasaki hadn't done anything against anybody for him to say, or Dodger fans to say, yeah, he should shove against them.

So the fact that he did what he was supposed to. to do on paper, but he just had an outing like that was great. And then you go into Milwaukee, which on paper, not a good matchup, the way that the brewers play baseball. And the way that game started, you're like, okay, it was a flash in the pan. It was just the Angels. But then you look up at the end and he's like, hey, he's found a way to get through this thing and actually put together a pretty strong outing.

So that is another step forward, even though it may not have been, you know, seven shutout with, again, no walks. striking out double digits, like you could build up to that point. I think you're spot on with that. Like you just have to be patient with the guy who is and has always been a project. And he's still in that phase. So give him some grace. Now they'd be remiss if I did not wish you before we let you go.

A very happy Eric Lauer day today. Lauer makes his Dodgers day before tonight's starting pitcher. And we've known all season how important it is for this Dodgers rotation to keep a six-man. What are you expecting from Eric Lauer? And do you think the Dodgers can kind of pinpoint the below concerns that ultimately led to his DFA from Toronto? Yeah, well, happy Lauer Day to all who celebrate the Dodger debut for the Dodger killer. I mean, this guy is just own the Dodgers. And so if you can't beat him, trade cash for him.

And now that's the classic saying that everybody knows if you think about it. Now, I am as curious as anybody to see what Eric Lauer looks like tonight because the numbers this year have not been good. The home run rate has more than doubled from where he was last year, which was his best full season in the majors with Toronto all the way through the World Series. He was outduled by Will Klein in that game three epic. That was the last time that he had to face the Dodgers. So look, I think getting him some time because it's been like, what, 16 days since he last through a baseball. And he joined the team on the road trip.

So he kind of get him acclimated, get his legs underneath them, allow him to have time with not just his new teammates, but with Mark Pryor, with Connor McGuinness, and with the staff that's try and get under the hood and identify some things. And so even if he gets sheled tonight, I think you're just kind of. looking to see how the arsenal has been tweaked, if at all, if the stuff has ticked up, if at all, because the fastball has been down. He blasted, he used more cutters and more curves. This year he's kind of adjusted the pitch mix a little bit. So I think this is just kind of, again, to steal a phrase we used earlier, just kind of establishing a new baseline. you know, kind of you're wiping away that 669 ERA that he brought to L.A.

And all right, what are you now? So I have no idea what to expect. But even if it's good or bad, I don't think you can get too far either way. Well, we appreciate the time, as always, that is Stephen Nelson. And I would hate to miss an opportunity to make you slightly uncomfortable. We got a nice comment here from Mr. J. 8550. So Stephen Nelson will be the keynote speaker introducing show Hey, Hey Otani and his Hall of Fame induction.

Now, we don't know if that's your Hall of Fame induction or Show Hayes, but you heard it here first. Nellie's going to be involved. It sure as hell won't be mine, Clint, I can tell you that. And if I am introducing Shohei, that means a lot of people have passed away, unfortunately. So let's hope we don't get there, all right? We always appreciate the time, Nellie. Listen, he's here for a good time and a long time. That is Stephen Nelson.

You're on the call tonight, right? You tried to make me uncomfortable, and I totally turn the tables on y'all. Good. Listen, that's part of the synergy here. We're all learning how to make each other uncomfortable, and that's what brings everybody joy here on the internet. Appreciate the time. Love you guys. We'll talk to you soon.

That is Stephen Nelson. If I had the button, I'd give him the clap, but we're not going to do that. We will be back. What's the clap? you know there's applause. Yes, I know what the clap is, but thank you. Hey, hey, hey, hey, don't maybe push buttons to bring him back. Don't maybe push buttons to bring him back in here.

That's right. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, what? Are we not? Quinn, we got to work on our phrasing, brother. I got the last uncomfortable in there. All right, get out of here. We got some, we got some, hey, some bills. We got pay some bills.

We guys, we'll be back with more. After one quick word from our friends at Fowl. Todd, father, I'm a last-minute guy. Sometimes you're a last-minute guy where you all of a sudden see a night open up and you want to go grab some tickets and you hadn't gotten them already. So you're going to seekeek and you're going to go look for a green dot and see where the good seats are and the good value is and have a little night with the fam, right? Without a doubt.

And I'm looking for some of the best seats. I'm looking for that green dot. When I get that, it's a simple plug it in. Use your hands. Go right on your screen, your phone, whatever platform you can get it on. And it's so simple. They make it so easy for you to do. Even my son can do it.

If I ask him, hey, Blakster, let's go, man. Get on there for us, find us a couple seats so we can watch. Even that Subway series, that would be fantastic. Seekek has it all there for you. Yeah, and the code for you, you should know it. It's Territory 10. It just gets you 10% off your next set of tickets at Seeky. 10% off any tickets with promo code Territory 101.

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Canada. All right, everybody, want to introduce you once again to Nacho and Millie. And for those of us watching, believe it or not, Millie, the lighter colored dog on the right of the photo is the mother of Nacho, the darker colored pity mix on the left. It's not. I swear we have the DNA results. We have proof that they are related. I thought they were definitely bonded. Well, it turns out they are because they're

related. So anyway, these two are a perfect package deal. They are incredibly, incredibly bonded. so we will not be splitting them up. They are available for adoption together. They are currently being fostered in La Puente, California. They are healthy. They are sweet. They are kind. They get along with every other dog, kids, adults, you name it.

They're great dogs. If you're interested in learning more about them, please reach out to myself or giddreysgarden.org. All right, a couple of thoughts for the road, if you will. Katie, seems like we ask you this. We've been asking you for what I feel like is a year. Is there an update on Tommy Edmund? What day is today? Tuesday?

Yeah, that sounds right. I believe if today is indeed Tuesday, he'll be starting a rehab assignment. He went to Arizona to face live pitching over the weekend. Now, Tommy Edmund, as we know, has been out of baseball activity for a while. So he's likely going to take the entirety of his allotted rehab assignment. That's three weeks. Very similar to what we saw with Kike Hernandez, except for Kike. He was probably ready to go after a week, but wasn't eligible to be recalled until Sunday.

Now for Tommy Edmund, because he's missed so much time, the Dodgers are going to stop me if you heard this before. Operate with caution and they do that question. So it's probably going to be the full three-week stint for Tommy Edmund's rehab assignment. So we're looking at, I don't know, around mid-June for an activation, assuming fingers crossed, everything goes well for Tommy. When he does return, he'll take over the bulk of the reps at second base and he'll spell Andy Pahas when needed in center. But one thing the Dodgers have pretty much solidified is that they would like any. deep pa is in there as often as possible. And you know what?

The longer Tommy is on rehab, the longer they kick that Hesson Kim can down the road or whatever. Baseball has a weird way of working itself out. So maybe it won't be Kim. We also got news yesterday. Edwin Diaz beginning a throwing program. Did he actually throw yesterday? Or is that looking like it's tracking for today?

That's a great question because I wasn't there yesterday. So we will check. We will check. But yes, throwing profession is important for Edwin Diaz. because the Dodgers have been pretty loose on their timeline. They've just given us a very big sometime in the second half. So we'll get a nice little sense of where Edwin Diaz is at. And he's been around with the team.

We haven't seen him a lot, but his shoes have been in his locker. So I know he's been there. Yeah, that's how we know. That's how you know. That's some high class stuff. What's going on with Tyler Glassnow, Katie Wu? Yes. So Tyler Glass now will need a rehab stint.

In Dodger fashion, it went from back spasms, not going to miss any time to, okay, quicks to shut him down to now we'll need a rehab assignment. But I think it's been about 20-ish day since he had those back spasms in Houston. And it just makes sense given the time that he's missed to ramp him back up. Also, the Dodgers look pretty solid in their rotation right now, the fact that they're able to patch it up. Emmett Sheehan, again, great points by Nelly, by the way, and what he's been able to do. Rebleski's had a little bit of come back to Earth moments, but I still really like what we've seen out of him in Tootcheon. And then of course we'll see what Eric Lauer be, I don't know, stop gap. Is that a term for this rotation? Tyler Glass now.

So probably still a couple more weeks for Glass as he builds back up and he will need a rehab assignment. All right. Katie, always with the latest information. We appreciate you very much. Don't forget to follow Katie on Twitter on Instagram. She does a tremendous job writing for the athletic. That's going to do it for us. Clint and I will be doing post game tomorrow night. So join us then. And then the fourth. four of us are going to be back on Thursday. So make sure you join us at our regularly scheduled program on Thursday. Don't forget, guys, smash that subscribe button on YouTube. Please rate and review the pod on Apple, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast.

Don't forget to check out the Dodgers Territory Store, Dodgers Territory Shop.com for all of the cool stuff. It supports the three of us. It supports our show and it supports Fowl Territory as well. Thanks for being with us, everybody. For Katie, Clint, I'm Alana Rizzo. We will see you tomorrow night. Bye. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what?

We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was calling you. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come until he's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.