The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Andrew Vasquez and optioned Ryan Meisinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. Scott Alexander was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Vasquez on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
He was acquired Tuesday night in a trade that sent Minor League pitcher Stevie Berman to the Minnesota Twins. Neither Berman nor Vasquez were on the 40-man roster, which made the Minor League trade a possibility.
Furthermore, because it was finalized roughly 10 minutes before Sept. 1, Vasquez is eligible to appear in the postseason for the Dodgers.
Vasquez was selected out of Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., by the Kansas City Royals in the 44th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. However, he elected to attend college and was later taken by the Twins in the 32nd round of the 2015 Draft.
Vasquez made his MLB debut with the Twins during the 2018 season, appearing in nine games. The left-hander went 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 1.40 WHIP across five innings of work.
Vasquez appeared in one game for Minnesota in 2019, when he allowed three runs and didn’t retire any of the three batters faced. He went 4-0 with a 3.61 ERA over 33 games for Triple-A St. Paul this year, but command remained an issue.
The soon-to-be-28-year-old has a 12.1% walk rate and has hit 13 batters in the Minors this season. However, Vasquez does sport a 37.4% strikeout rate, 61.8% groundball rate, and been tough on left-handed hitters to the tune of a .074/.242/.130 batting line.
Meisinger joins Oklahoma City one day after he was added to the Dodgers’ active roster. The right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, along with Jake Jewell.
Meisinger didn’t earn a decision while pitching to a 12.27 ERA across seven appearances for the Cubs this year. He’s previously spent time in the Majors with the Baltimore Orioles (2018), St. Louis Cardinals (2019) and Cubs (2021), going a combined 2-1 with a 7.26 ERA.
The right-hander is a combined combined 14-13 with 23 saves in 24 chances and a 2.68 ERA in 171 Minor League games over six seasons. Meisinger was selected by the Orioles in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Alexander may not pitch for Dodgers
Alexander had been on the 10-day IL since July 20 due to left shoulder inflammation. The paper move makes him ineligible to return until Friday, Sept. 17. Given the prolonged absence, it may not be feasible for Alexander to pitch again this season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently noted Alexander — and Garrett Cleavinger — were not near their respective returns. Roberts reiterated that sentiment this week when asked about Alexander’s status.
“I really haven’t heard,” he said. “I know he’s been in Arizona. I’m not sure where he’s at in his progression.”
Prior to landing on the IL, Alexander went 0-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 18 games.
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