The Dodgers have announced that they’ve designated righty Casey Fien for assignment. The move clears roster space for outfielder Andre Ethier, who has been reinstated from the 60-day DL.
[Related: Updated Los Angeles Dodgers Depth Chart]
The Dodgers claimed Fien from the Twins in May after four-plus years in Minnesota. He pitched 25 2/3 innings for his new team, posting a 4.21 ERA, 8.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 while showing a slight increase in his velocity from previous seasons. His season was marred somewhat by a late-summer DL stint due to elbow tendonitis, however, and he allowed eight home runs. He’s making $2.28MM this season, and is eligible for arbitration again this winter. The Dodgers have evidently decided they can risk exposing him to waivers.
The 34-year-old Ethier has missed the entire season to this point after a foul ball broke his leg in March. He’s coming off a strong .294/.366/.486 season in 2015. News of his return broke earlier this week, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saying (via Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times) that the team would initially use him primarily as a pinch-hitter and spot-starter. As McCullough notes, the Dodgers currently have plenty of outfielders, with Joc Pederson, Howie Kendrick, Josh Reddick, Yasiel Puig, Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin also on hand.
Been waiting for my brotha from anotha motha to come back all season lol. Really stoked to get Etheir back even though most Dodgers fans aren’t.
I don’t know if stoked is the right word since he comes back as #3 in the depth chart in RF and LF, and it seems unlikely in any case that he will get enough work in to justify being included on a postseason roster.
Like I said. I am stoked even though most Dodgers fans aren’t.
Well I see that… just wondering what you think the Dodgers get out it. I mean it’s nice for Ethier after yet another bad luck season, but a fourth LH outfielder wasn’t exactly on the want or need list.
I do understand what you are saying but I think having him on the team can end being valuable for our playoff run. He has always been clutch and bringing him off the bench late in the game to hit for a pitcher might helps us and I think he’s earned the chance to at least try to prove himself valuable to the team. Don’t get me wrong. We have better options but I still want to see what Ethier can do. If he can be valuable for us then maybe another team thinks he valuable also and we trade him in the off season.
Unfortunately, Ethier’s time has come and gone. The Dodgers have a great chemistry in the clubhouse with all the youngsters on the team. The team does not need him.
The Dodger’s problem is their starting pitching only averaging 5 innings with the exception of a couple pitchers. Hopefully, De Leon becomes an integral part of the pitching staff as the playoffs approach. I believe he will offer quality starts, however, the real test will be next week in New York.
I would have got rid of Fields and kept Fien, but glad Dre’s back
I sure hope Fein clears.
I’ll bet he accepts staying with us in the minors for another opportunity next year