
Dodgers Spring Training: Kershaw Reacts To Uribe’s Home Run
Saturday morning at Camelback Ranch meant players were present for annual photo day and soon after, Clayton Kershaw throwing roughly two innings worth of live batting practice to his teammates.
Kershaw faced a group of the three batters — Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Juan Uribe. As expected, the reigning National League MVP racked up multiple strikeouts during the session, but was also taken deep by Uribe.
Following batting practice, Kershaw joked that Uribe likely won’t let him live down the fact that he surrendered a home run, via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
Kershaw: "I’m going to have to hear about Uribe hitting a home run off me all season. I’m glad I gave him some confidence for the year."
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 28, 2015
Kershaw gave up nine home runs last season and 11 in 2013, winning the Cy Young Award in both years. As for Uribe, hamstring issues limited him to 103 games last season and he managed to hit just nine home runs.
In 2013, Uribe hit 12 home runs and added two more in the postseason, including the go-ahead shot in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series that proved to be the difference against the Atlanta Braves.
Since signing with the Dodgers prior to the 2011 season, Uribe’s yearly home run total has declined from his days with the San Francisco Giants and up until the 2013 season, so too did his overall offensive production.
After turning his fortunes around in 2013, Uribe signed a new two-year deal with the Dodgers that expires after the 2015 season. Entering his age-36 season, Uribe recently stated he isn’t sure if he’ll continuing playing after this season.
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