The Los Angeles Dodgers officially cut ties with pitcher Matt Sauer on Wednesday. The move comes after he was designated for assignment last week.
Sauer made 10 appearances for the Dodgers â including nine as a reliever â and went 2-1 with a 6.37 ERA and one save to go with 24 strikeouts across 29.2 innings.
On May 15, Sauer made his first career start in a 19-2 win over the Athletics and allowed two runs in four innings.
Sauer Struggled After Respectable Start
Sauer initially joined Los Angeles on a minor-league deal in December. The 26-year-old made the Dodgersâ roster for the season-opening Tokyo Series before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The right-hander made his Dodgers debut on April 7, allowing one run on three hits in 1.2 relief innings in a 6-4 loss to the Nationals. He was then optioned back to the minor leagues before returning in early May.
Sauer had a very respectable 3.12 ERA over his first seven appearances, spanning 20.2 innings. But his performance took a turn for the worse on June 10, when he was hammered for nine runs on 13 hits over 4.2 innings in an 11-1 loss to the Padres. After that, he pitched just twice more before being DFAâd on Sept. 6.
Former Yankees Farmhand Made MLB Debut in 2024
Sauer was a second-round pick of the Yankees in 2017 but waited until last season to make his Major League debut after the Royals took him in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. In 14 games out of the Kansas City bullpen, Sauer posted a 7.71 ERA with more walks (11) than strikeouts (nine).
After pitching just 16.1 innings, Sauer was returned to the Yankees organization, and he spent the rest of the season in the minor leagues. Splitting time between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Sauer went 3-2 with a 6.12 ERA. Following the season, he elected free agency.
Dodgers Activate Former NLCS MVP
Sauerâs release was part of a series of moves made by the first-place Dodgers on Wednesday. The club also activated second baseman Tommy Edman from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Justin Dean to Triple-A.
Edman, the MVP of the 2024 NLCS, missed five weeks with a sprained ankle. He is slashing .228/.281/.394 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 87 games this season.
The Dodgers (82-64) begin a three-game series Friday against the Giants at home, holding a 2.5-game lead atop the National League West.
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