The Dodgers have released left-handed reliever Adam Liberatore, as first reflected on the MLB.com transactions page. Liberatore was designated for assignment last week after the Dodgers acquired Ryan Madson from the Nationals.
Liberatore, 31, enjoyed an excellent season with the 2016 Dodgers but has since been slowed by injury troubles — most notably a forearm strain that cost him much of the 2017 season. He’s tallied 13 big league innings in 2018 with a quality 2.77 ERA and a dozen strikeouts, though he also issued eight walks in that time and had some struggles in Triple-A Oklahoma City (5.19 ERA, 17-to-6 K/BB ratio, two hit batters in 17 1/3 innings).
At his best in 2016, Liberatore gave the Dodgers 42 2/3 frames of 3.38 ERA ball with 9.9 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and a 38.9 percent ground-ball rate. Despite being more of a fly-ball pitcher, he yielded only two long balls that year. He’s lost a couple of ticks off his fastball since that ’16 season, averaging 90.9 mph on his heater in his limited sample of big league innings this year, but Liberatore was still characteristically tough on left-handed opponents. Throughout his career, lefties have batted just .204/.294/.311 against him through 188 plate appearances.
Notably, Liberatore was on the minor league disabled list due to a knee issue at the time of his DFA, which explains the decision to release him rather than pass him through outright waivers. (Injured players cannot be passed through outright waivers during the season.) It’s common in these instances for the player to re-sign with his previous organization, though Liberatore will now have the ability to sign with any team.
Wouldn’t be related to former Gators QB from the early 60’s that recently passed away, Larry Liberatore would he? not a very common name why ask and Larry helped bring Gators into prominence from 60-62 seasons, then started into state political career.
At least he locked down the ninth inning in that combined no hitter in Mexico back in May.
Liberators gone… ok w that but still didn’t get while Baez is still around
Agreed
Maybe cause he hasn’t gave up a run since August 9th. Get a clue
He’s clearly starting to figure it out. He doesn’t have to be a back end box it up closer to provide value. He can simply be a mid relief guy. But if you’ve been watching he starting to paint and pitch. I’m not under the assumption he’s going to be some ace reliever, but watch what’s happening. The stuff has always been more than good enough. The issue was as a converted positional guy who hadn’t pitched very long, he really wasn’t ready for the position he was put in. He’s now in his 6th year, and it truly looks like he’s developing. But hey what do I know we should only be able to hold onto old perceptions.
Well he did good for the entire first half last season and then went back to being the most absolutely positively least clutch relief pitcher, so I wouldn’t say one good month has turned his career around…
I mean, I guess if you want to completely ignore the fact that last year he was completely over performing his underlying stats and really he was still just throwing. Yeah he had a fb that he just tried to blow it past people and would pick and pick and pick with his SL. And it was easy to see. And really it’s not simply discussing the results. He’s pitching now and no longer throwing. So of course when he was put into high leverage situations he was crushed. I don’t see what’s to difficult about this. In terms of Liberatore the arm injuries have kind of destroyed him. He’s been below average since his injury and just isn’t missing bats and/or throwing strikes. I don’t think he’s back to be honest.
Also, didn’t Liberatore break/set the franchise record for consecutive scoreless appearances not too long ago? I’m hoping we resign him