The Los Angeles Dodgers granted Joe Thatcher his release two days after the veteran reliever exercised the opt-out clause in his Minor League contract. The alternative for Los Angeles was to add Thatcher to the Major League roster by Saturday.
Thatcher signed his deal in April after being released by the Cleveland Indians. The left-hander posted a 1.35 ERA and had eight strikeouts to zero walks over 6.2 innings this spring, but wasn’t going to make the Indians’ roster.
In 16 games (14 innings pitched) with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Thatcher had a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, five walks and 20 strikeouts.
Thatcher owns a career 3.38 ERA, 3.19 FIP and 1.32 WHIP over parts of nine seasons with the San Diego Padres (2007-13), Arizona Diamondbacks (2013-14), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2014) and Indians (2015).
Sean Burnett, Thatcher and Dale Thayer have all opted out of the Minor League contract they signed with the Dodgers. In other roster news for the organization’s top Minor League affiliate, outfielder James Ramsey cleared waivers and was sent outright to Oklahoma City.
Ramsey was designated for assignment on May 28 to clear room on the 40-man roster for Casey Fien. At the time, Fien took the place of Julio Urias on the active roster.
Ramsey, along with Zach Walters, was acquired from the Indians for cash considerations in April. Ramsey hit .222/.285/.429 with five doubles, three triples and five home runs over 38 games with OKC.
The 26 year old has spent 18 games (15 starts) in left field, 13 games (10 starts) in right and seven (six starts) in center this season.
Additionally for Oklahoma City, Matt West (back injury) was activated from the disabled list on Saturday. Subsequently, Sam LeCure was placed on the seven-day DL, retroactive to Thursday.
