The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they have designated Erik Goeddel, Zac Rosscup and Tim Locastro for assignment, while also giving Tom Koehler his unconditional release.
The moves were made to make room on the 40-man roster for prospects Keibert Ruiz, Yadier Alvarez, Matt Beaty, Edwin Rios and Josh Sborz, who otherwise would have been available to be picked in the Rule 5 Draft.
Koehler was the biggest free-agent signing the Dodgers made last offseason. Though, he never played a game for the team as he suffered a shoulder injury during Spring Training and was eventually forced to undergo season-ending surgery. He now has a chance to hit the open market once again.
Los Angeles acquired Goeddel from the Seattle Mariners in the middle of 2018 and he was solid for them out of the bullpen. In 26 appearances for the Dodgers, Goeddel posted a 3.38 ERA, 4.18 FIP and 1.26 WHIP. He struck out 35 and walked 15 in 29.1 innings.
Rosscup was also a midseason acquisition as the Dodgers claimed him off waivers from the Colorado Rockies to be a lefty specialist.
Rosscup pitched in 17 games for the Dodgers and yielded a 4.76 ERA, 4.13 FIP and 1.15 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and four walks in 11.1 innings. He tossed an immaculate inning to close out a victory against the Mariners on Aug. 19.
Locastro made his way onto the Dodgers roster because of his speed but only appeared in 21 Major League games over the last two seasons. He only hit .167/.333/.250, but did steal five bases in five attempts.
All three of the players that were designated for assignment can now be claimed on waivers by another club. If that happens then the Dodgers can let them go for free or the two teams can work out a trade.
If they go unclaimed then the Dodgers can keep them in the organization by sending them outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
