The Dodgers announced they’ve selected reliever Matt Sauer onto the big league roster before Wednesday’s matchup with the Cubs at the Tokyo Dome. They optioned left-hander Justin Wrobleski in a corresponding move. Clayton Kershaw was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
Sauer returns to the majors after signing a minor league deal over the winter. A former second-round pick by the Yankees, he never pitched in the big leagues with New York. The Royals grabbed him in the 2023-24 Rule 5 draft. They carried him on the big league roster for the first couple months. Sauer had a tough time in his first look at major league hitters. He gave up 14 runs across 16 1/3 innings, issuing 11 walks while recording nine strikeouts.
As Kansas City cemented themselves as surprise playoff contenders, they decided they could no longer devote a bullpen spot to a developmental flier. They offered Sauer back to the Yankees in May. New York initially assigned him to Triple-A, but he was blitzed for 15 runs over just 8 1/3 innings in 10 appearances. He found his footing after being demoted to Double-A in July. Sauer closed the year with 24 frames of 2.63 ERA ball before reaching minor league free agency.
The 26-year-old righty took the ball four times this spring. He allowed seven runs over 7 2/3 innings. Sauer recorded eight strikeouts while issuing one walk in that limited sample. His stuff impressed the Dodgers enough that they brought him to Tokyo as part of their travel roster and will carry him on the MLB team for the time being.
Kershaw is rehabbing from surgery to remove a bone spur on his left big toe. He said at the beginning of camp that he would go on the 60-day IL once the Dodgers needed to create a roster spot. He’ll be out through at least the end of May.
I get adding a reliever and Wrobo isn’t that, but if it gets down to using Sauer in game two, Dodgers will either be way out in front or way behind.
this years Honeywell Jr.
Every team needs one of those guys
Showcasing a disposable player that can released in a few weeks and traded for PTBNL or future Max Muncy.
He’s got minor league options so no release needed.
Wrobo pitched 2 innings in Saturday when the Dodgers played exhibition games with Yomiuri
This guy does not have the pedigree or the stature to have the extreme honor of being on the Dodgers 26-man roster. Is he even receiving deferred dollars ??
One game into the season and we’re already shuffling with the bullpen? Midseason form.
What an indictment!
By targeting undervalued Rule 5 castoffs like Sauer, the Dodgers could quietly build a pipeline of reclaimed arms—say, 1-in-5 become 1-2 WAR relievers—outpacing rivals who overpay for proven bullpen pieces or hoard untested prospects
This strategy turns a roster footnote into a market edge, leveraging baseball’s discard pile into a competitive weapon, unseen by a public focused on Kershaw’s toe or Tokyo optics.
Yep
Your comment was better written than when I asked AI to pen a report on the similarities between the Grand Canyon and KK’s crack.
KK Downing?
Why did the Yankees sour on Sauer?