2017 Dodgers In Review: RP Grant Dayton

What Happened In 2017: Spent the bulk of the season dealing with injuries, ultimately ended up needing Tommy John surgery.

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Grant Dayton showed a lot of promise in 2016 that, unfortunately, he didn’t live up to this season, largely because he was unable to stay healthy. His strikeout rates went down, while his walk and home run rates both went up.

Things started off well enough for Dayton, who went eight appearances before allowing a run. However, the intercostal injury that he dealt with last year came back in late April, causing the first of three trips to the disabled list. Dayton made five appearances in May, allowing five runs in four innings pitched. Halfway through the month, Dayton was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he remained for a couple of weeks before rejoining the big club. Dayton seemed like he may be returning to form in June, as he allowed just two runs in 10.1 innings pitched, with 11 strikeouts vs. six walks. Then, on July 6, Dayton hit the disabled list for the second time, due to neck stiffness. Following a rehab assignment, he was reactivated for a brief spell, but ended up back on the DL for good on July 28.

Dayton’s final appearance of the season (and, as it turns out, as a Dodger) came on July 24. He allowed three runs in a third of an inning pitched. Dayton’s unavailability was a big part of why the Dodgers had to pursue other left-handed relief options in Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson.

In August, the Dodgers announced that Dayton had a full tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and would require Tommy John surgery. He won’t see Major League game action until late next season, if he pitches at all in 2018. They tried to sneak him through waivers to open up a 40-man roster spot, but the Braves claimed him.

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2018 Status: Likely out for the season. Will be on Atlanta’s 60-day disabled list.