Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers made their first round of cuts on Saturday, when they sent Chris Anderson, Ryan Buchter, Josh Ravin and Julio Urias to minor-league camp. They did the same on Monday with five others.
Dodgers option pitchers Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Carlos Frias and Joe Weiland.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 16, 2015
They were technically optioned because they’re all on the 40-man roster, but they were really just sent to minor-league camp, ala Anderson, Urias, et al. And none of these cuts are particularly surprising. Of the five, Carlos Frias probably had the best chance of making the team because of his 32 1/3 innings in LA last year, but also because he could be the swingman in the bullpen, as well as a short-reliever.
|
A’s @
Dodgers |
|
|---|---|
|
Glendale, Ariz.
|
|
|
1B
|
Turner
|
|
SS
|
Barney
|
|
DH
|
Gonzalez
|
|
3B
|
Uribe
|
|
LF
|
Ethier
|
|
RF
|
Van Slyke
|
|
CF
|
Pederson
|
|
C
|
Ellis
|
|
2B
|
Hernandez
|
|
P
|
Greinke
|
Frias missed some bats — six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings — but he also walked four hitters and allowed six hits. He’ll be part of the Oklahoma City rotation.
Mike Bolsinger — I’m going to dub him “Brim’s Boy” — was solid in his four innings of work, but he was always destined for OKC. He’ll likely be the pitcher recalled when Brett Anderson goes on the disabled list in May or June.
Zach Lee allowed one hit and one walk in four innings. He also struck out just one, but he made a decent impression on the new front office folk. He should head the OKC rotation and could debut later this season.
Chris Reed allowed a couple hits and a run in three innings. While he’ll be in the OKC rotation, he’s ultimately destined for the bullpen.
Joe Wieland was the most impressive of the quintet, as he allowed four hits and an unearned run in six innings. He struck out five and walked just one. The 25-year-old could end up being a nice get from the Matt Kemp trade.
Don Mattingly talked about there not being enough innings to go around, which is why the first nine reassignments have been pitchers. They’ll be able to get plenty of work in on the back fields, especially with minor-league games set to start this week.
These cuts should show the depth the Dodgers have on the mound — especially in the rotation (minus Reed, of course). There are 3.5 capable starters who are going to be in Triple-A, with guys like Chad Gaudin (ugh) and maybe Erik Bedard (if he sticks around).
