The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed left-handed pitcher Donnie Hart off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-handed reliever Josh Fields for assignment.
Hart was a 27th round pick of the Orioles in 2013 out of Texas State University, who recently was designated for assignment. He has appeared in 93 Major League games in his career, pitching to a 3.43 ERA, 4.40 FIP and 1.50 WHIP with 54 strikeouts and 31 walks in 81.1 innings.
The 28-year-old spent a majority of the 2018 season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he went 3-2 with a 2.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 32 games (three starts). He struck out 45 while walking 10 in 41 innings.
Pitching depth is something the Dodgers have really come to value in recent years, so Hart should add to that this season.
Los Angeles cutting ties with Fields is a bit of a surprise considering he had a lot of success in his two and a half years with the team. Fields appeared in 45 games for the Dodgers in 2018, yielding a 2.20 ERA, 3.62 FIP and 0.95 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and 11 walks in 41 innings.
The 33-year-old dealt with some shoulder issues that kept him out for much of the second half last year and prevented him from earning a spot on the postseason roster. Fields appeared in three games for the Dodgers this spring, giving up a hit and a run in three innings while striking out two and walking one.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by the early signs Fields was moving past last season’s injury trouble.
Due to make $2.85 million this season after avoiding arbitration in his final year before hitting free agency, the Dodgers will save some money if Fields gets claimed off waivers, which is likely to happen.
