While the return of Major League Baseball at last is just around the corner, the past few months have not been easy for anyone in the league due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Shortly after the league was shut down in the middle of Spring Training, it became clear that they would not get a full, normal 2020 season in. The time off has perhaps been most difficult for Minor League players, who already don’t make much money and have been forced to take pay cuts or be released altogether.
The Los Angeles Dodgers organization prides itself on having one of the best farm systems in baseball, and they have taken care of their Minor Leaguers during this time off, with David Price even contributing some of his own money.
Unfortunately though, with the 2020 Minor League season likely be cancelled, it was recently reported that the Dodgers were releasing a handful of players in their farm system. According to Cuban baseball writer Francys Romero, Daniel Corcino, Jose Lobaton, Yeison Cespedes and Jeronimo Castro were among the players let go:
RHP Daniel Corcino, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Yeison Cespedes, RHP Jeronimo Castro among the names that were released by the Dodgers, a source told me. https://t.co/yUUQbziKi8
— Francys Romero (@FrancysRomero10) June 24, 2020
Corcino is the most well-known of the bunch as he had been in the Dodgers organization for a number of years across two stints. He had one cup of coffee with L.A. in 2018, and in 24 games (21 starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2019, he went 8-8 with a 4.90 ERA.
Lobaton is a veteran catcher the Dodgers brought in as depth in a trade with the Seattle Mariners last August. He has played in parts of nine big league seasons, although the 35-year-old has not seen any action at that level since 2018. In seven Cactus League games this past spring, Lobaton went 1-for-8 with four strikeouts at the plate.
Cespedes originally signed with the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic although has not pitched above High-A. The 22-year-old appeared in 22 games (two starts) across three levels in 2019 and yielded a 4.65 ERA.
Castro also signed out of the Dominican Republic but has not pitched above Low-A. In 23 starts with Rookie-Level Ogden and Low-A Great Lakes in 2019, the 23-year0old went 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA.
It’s unknown if these are the only Minor League releases the Dodgers are making or if more are on the way, although that likely will be cleared up in the coming days.
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