Inside The Dodgers
J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra

Joined: Dec 4, 2023

J.P. Hoornstra is an On SI Contributor. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors.

Mar 1, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) bats against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
News

Dodgers All-Star Says 'Everybody Was Surprised' About Austin Barnes DFA

The veteran said 'a lot of guys on the team' were disappointed by the Dodgers' decision to cut ties with their longest-tenured position player.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch in February.
News

Dodgers' $182 Million Pitcher Finally Gets Positive Injury Update

The left-hander, who made just two starts after landing a big contract in free agency, was cleared to play catch for the first time since April.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda (left) talks with catcher Austin Barnes (15) and infielder Chase Utley (26) in the 7th inning against the Houston Astros in game six of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium.
News

Former Dodger Recently DFA'd Signs With NL Central Power

The 37-year-old veteran, who helped the Dodgers reach the World Series in 2017, was designated for assignment and released amid a disappointing season.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) before the game against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome.
News

Dodgers All-Star Reveals True Feelings About Team Cutting Austin Barnes

Teammates continue to heap praise on Barnes, who persisted as the backup catcher for one of baseball's best teams for parts of 11 seasons — until Wednesday, when the Dodgers designated Barnes for assignment and promoted top prospect Dalton Rushing.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
From left National League players from Rafael Furcal, Pablo Sandoval, Starlin Castro, Carlos Ruiz and Jose Altuve stand in the infield during batting practice before the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on July 10, 2012.
News

Former Dodgers All-Star Faces Felony Battery Charges

The 47-year-old was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and throwing a missile into a public or private dwelling or vehicle, and released on bail Wednesday in Florida.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74), third baseman Justin Turner (10) and catcher Austin Barnes (15) high five after defeating the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium in 2021.
News

Former Dodgers All-Star Reacts to Austin Barnes' Shocking DFA

Austin Barnes was behind the plate for all or part of the former closer's three All-Star seasons in Los Angeles, and the high praise offered on social media Wednesday was well-deserved.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Atlanta Braves left fielder Eddie Rosario (8) is safe at third against Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) after hitting a triple in the third inning during game four of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
News

Recently-Released Dodgers Veteran Joins NL Powerhouse

The 2021 NLCS MVP is on the move again — and could face the Dodgers later this season.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
New logos adorn hats during the home opener Minor League baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the El Paso Chihuahuas at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
News

Veteran Pitcher Leaves Dodgers Organization in Surprise Move

The left-hander had been part of the Dodgers' organization since he signed as an amateur free agent in 2019 until this week.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) and third baseman Max Muncy (13) and second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) and manager Dave Roberts (30) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) and catcher Austin Barnes (15) during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field.
News

Dodgers Cut Veteran in Shocking Move

A defensive-first position player who played his first game with the Dodgers in 2015 will not be on the team's active roster for Wednesday's game against the A's, according to multiple reports.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto (left) and Roki Sasaki (11) stand on the field before the game against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome.
News

Dodgers Have Runaway Cy Young Favorite in First Experts Poll

The National League leader in earned-run average is an easy choice for the first MLB.com Cy Young poll of 2025.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park.
News

Two Former Dodgers Reinstated From MLB's Permanently Ineligible List

Vindication comes for two players who bounced around the National League in the 1910s, including Brooklyn, and banned permanently by Commissioner Kenesaw Landis for associating — or threatening to associate — with gamblers.

J.P. Hoornstra
|
Dodgers right fielder Matt Kemp (27) high fives with starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) after scoring a run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at SunTrust Park.
News

Former Dodger Signs Minor League Contract With American League Contender

A stalwart of the Dodgers' 2017 pennant-winning club returns to affiliated baseball for the first time since he was released last September.

J.P. Hoornstra
|