Zack Burdi cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City after being designated for assignment this past week by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Burdi was DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster, and because he’s previously gone unclaimed on waivers, he had the ability to elect free agency rather than return to Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers claimed Burdi off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in late May, and in his most recent stint with OKC, he logged two scoreless appearances.
In parts of three seasons at the Major League level, Burdi owns an 8.44 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched. The 28-year-old former first-round pick in 2016 hasn’t been able to stick on a roster for a significant period of time.
Burdi made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2020, spending the rest of the season with them and the Baltimore Orioles prior to joining the Rays.
He’ll most likely be used for Minor League depth with OKC, with the best-case scenario being they’ll be able to steer him in the right direction. Burdi joins fellow reliever Wander Suero as recently DFA’d arms to remain with Oklahoma City
Ricky Vanasco replaced Zack Burdi on Dodgers 40-man roster
Burdi getting designated for assignment by the Dodgers came as a corresponding move to their trade for Ricky Vanasco. Fellow Minor League pitcher Luis Valdez was traded to the Texas Rangers in the deal.
Vanasco was placed on the seven-day injured list in April and didn’t return until late May. He appeared in two games for Double-A Frisco, allowing a combined six runs over 2.1 innings.
Last season with High-A Hickory and the RoughRiders, Vanasco went a combined 3-5 with a 4.68 ERA and 1.53 in 23 starts. He collected 118 strikeouts against 52 walks across 92.1 innings pitched in those outings.
The Rangers selected Vanasco out of Williston High School in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
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