The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Andy Burns and optioned Mitch White to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. Dennis Santana was designated for assignment in order to add Burns to the 40-man roster.
Burns joins the Dodgers as they again are facing more injury concerns after Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger were both removed early from the series opener against the Texas Rangers. Muncy experienced right side tightness, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts alluded to potentially being an oblique issue.
Bellinger came out in the bottom of the fifth inning because of left hamstring tightness. Roberts said after the 12-1 win that Muncy and Bellinger were both day-to-day and the team would re-evaluate them on Saturday.
Burns had been on a 10-game hitting streak with Oklahoma City, going 17-for-33 (.515) with six doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI during that span. He’s primarily played second base and third base this season, but also has experience at both corner outfield positions.
This marks Burns’ second stint in the Majors as he previously was with the Toronto Blue Jays for a portion of the 2016 season. He went hitless in seven plate appearances.
White tossed two innings on Friday in what was a fourth scoreless appearance in his last five games. The right-hander has a 3.29 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 11 games.
Dodgers DFA Santana
Despite appearing healthy and having an encouraging showing during Spring Training, Santana was largely unable to replicate that success during the regular season. He lost out to Scott Alexander for the final spot on the Opening Day roster but quickly joined the Dodgers when Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Santana has appeared in 16 games so far this season, pitching to a 6.00 ERA and 1.93 WHIP. Should Santana clear waivers, he could potentially return to Oklahoma City, where he had been since getting optioned May 27.
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