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Dodgers Acquire Billy McKinney From Mets

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The Dodgers announced they’ve acquired outfielder Billy McKinney from the Mets for outfield prospect Carlos Rincon. New York had designated McKinney for assignment earlier in the week. To create space on the roster, Los Angeles designated reliever Jake Reed for assignment.

McKinney has already suited up for the Brewers and Mets this season. Between the two clubs, he’s compiled a .213/.282/.415 line with eight home runs across 202 plate appearances. That’s more or less a match for the left-handed hitter’s career .225/.288/.430 line in parts of four seasons.

The 26-year-old strikes out a bit more than average and doesn’t draw many walks — thus the low on-base percentage — but he has a fair amount of power. Over 613 MLB plate appearances (roughly one full season), McKinney has popped 26 home runs. He owns a .205 ISO (slugging minus batting average) that checks in a fair bit north of the .163 league average.

McKinney is out of minor league options. The Dodgers will have to keep him on the active roster or again make him available to other clubs. He’ll add a lefty bat to the corner outfield/bench mix and could pick up some playing time against right-handers when L.A. rests A.J. Pollock. Pollock’s having a second straight very strong season, but he’s had his share of injury issues in the past.

The Dodgers selected Reed two weeks ago, positioning the righty to log his first big league action. Reed has since tossed 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball, striking out five while issuing a pair of walks. The former Twins’ prospect has a 5.57 ERA across 21 innings in Triple-A this year, split between the Angels’ and Dodgers’ top affiliates. To Reed’s credit, he’s been much better since joining the Dodgers organization and his minor league strikeout and walk rates (29.5% and 7.4%, respectively) have been impressive.

Los Angeles will have a week to trade Reed or expose him to waivers. Between his recent success and three remaining minor league option years, it’s possible another club adds him via a minor transaction.

In exchange for McKinney, the Mets add Rincon to the farm system. The 23-year-old corner outfielder has spent the year with Double-A Tulsa, hitting .263/.343/.470 with 12 home runs across 265 plate appearances despite playing in a pitcher-friendly league. Rincon has big raw power but scouts have expressed trepidation about his approach at the plate and lack of defensive value as a corner player.

Dodgers Designate Andy Burns For Assignment

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The Dodgers announced they’ve designated infielder Andy Burns for assignment. The move creates space on the 40-man roster for the promotion of top pitching prospect Josiah Gray, which has been made official.

Los Angeles selected Burns, a longtime minor league veteran, to the roster last month. He tallied fifteen plate appearances over nine games, his first MLB action since a cameo with the 2016 Blue Jays. Burns has spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he’s performed quite well. The 30-year-old has a .259/.382/.459 line with five home runs and a massive 16.4% walk rate over 165 plate appearances with the Dodgers’ top affiliate this year.

The Dodgers will have a week to trade Burns or place him on waivers. He has previously been outrighted in his career, so Burns would have the right to reject a minor league assignment in favor of free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Dodgers Promote Josiah Gray

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The Dodgers announced they’ve promoted top pitching prospect Josiah Gray. He’ll make his major league debut during tonight’s game with the rival Giants.

Selected by the Reds in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Division II Le Moyne College, Gray was traded to Los Angeles a few months later as part of the deal that sent Yasiel Puig to Cincinnati. The following season, he emerged as one of the game’s better pitching prospects. He dominated across three minor league levels in 2019, demonstrating a three-pitch mix and surprisingly advanced command for a player who didn’t convert to pitching full-time until his final season at Le Moyne.

Entering the year, Gray appeared on the top 100 prospect lists of each of Baseball America, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs and Keith Law of the Athletic. Longenhagen was the most bullish of that trio, slotting the 23-year-old as the #29 prospect leaguewide. In his scouting report, Longenhagen raved about Gray’s repertoire and strong fastball command, noting that he projects to be a “mid-rotation stalwart” at his peak. BA and Law echoed those sentiments, pointing to Gray’s continued development of his secondary pitches and strong understanding of pitching as reasons for optimism he’ll continue to improve.

Gray has reached Triple-A Oklahoma City for the first time this year, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for two months. He’s only made four appearances because of that, but Gray’s shown no difficulty adapting to the minors’ highest level. He’s allowed just five runs across 15 2/3 innings, striking out 22 while issuing a pair of walks.

Adding rotation help before the July 30 trade deadline figures to be a priority for the Dodgers. Los Angeles trails the Giants by one game in a tightly-contested NL West. Gray pitching well right out of the gate would go a long way towards stabilizing the starting staff, although that’ll likely be a target area for president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his front office regardless of Gray’s early performance.

Even if Gray is in the majors for good, he won’t reach free agency until the conclusion of the 2027 season. He’s not slated for arbitration eligibility until the 2024-25 offseason. Future optional assignments could push back that service time projection.

Dodgers Sign First-Round Pick Maddux Bruns

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The Dodgers have agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Maddux Bruns, reports Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com (Twitter link). The high school southpaw will receive a $2.2MM signing bonus that lands a bit shy of the $2.4246MM slot value that accompanies the 29th overall pick. Bruns had been committed to Mississippi State University. He’ll forego an opportunity to join the reigning college national champions and instead sign on with the defending World Series winners.

Most public evaluators pegged Bruns as an early-mid second round talent, so it’s not a huge surprise he landed a bit underslot despite being part of a demographic (prep pitching) that often demands above-slot bonuses. Each of Baseball America, Keith Law of the Athletic, and Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein of FanGraphs placed Bruns between 45th and 60th on their pre-draft rankings.

The Alabama native has among the best raw stuff in the class, with a mid-high 90’s fastball and a high-spin power curveball. But his delivery has a bit of violence that concerns some evaluators, with his control less consistent than that of many of the class’s other top arms. Los Angeles will now get an opportunity to add a high-upside pitcher to the system while saving a bit of bonus pool space to distribute to their Day Two selections.

Dodgers Place Gavin Lux On Injured List

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JULY 19: Los Angeles has placed Lux on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain. It seems he could be in for something of a lengthy absence, as manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com) his recovery “could take some time.”

JULY 18: Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux left today’s 6-5 loss to the Rockies with a hamstring injury.  Lux immediately grabbed his left hamstring area while breaking out of the batter’s box on a ground ball in the ninth inning, and he was replaced at shortstop in the bottom half of the frame.  Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts described the injury to reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) as a “cramp, mild strain-ish” type of problem, and Lux will likely miss at least a few games while team trainers and doctors perform tests.

Should the injured list be required for Lux, it will create another hole in a Dodgers roster that hasn’t really been entirely healthy at any point this season.  Pitching injuries have been the larger issue for the defending World Series champions, but several notable position players have missed time, including Corey Seager’s ongoing absence due to a broken hand.  (Lux himself had a minimal 10-game IL stint due to wrist soreness back in April.)

Lux began the season as the Dodgers’ regular second baseman, but took over as the primary shortstop when Seager was sidelined.  Seager is playing simulated games and might be pretty close to returning, but until he actually does get back, Chris Taylor will likely be the top option at shortstop if Lux is also out.

One of baseball’s top prospects during his time in the L.A. farm system, Lux has yet to really deliver on that high potential, though he has played only 124 big league games from 2019-21.  Lux posted a .655 OPS over 151 PA in his first two seasons and appeared in only one game during the Dodgers’ postseason run last fall.  Coming into this season with a starting gig, Lux has hit .227/.307/.349 with six home runs over 313 plate appearances.  There is some element of bad luck at play, considering Lux’s .294 wOBA is well below his .320 xwOBA, but even that latter statistic is below average.

Injury Updates: Betts, Castellanos, Kluber

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Mookie Betts left tonight’s game due to right hip irritation, according to the Dodgers.  After hitting a double in the seventh inning, Betts came up limping, and the injury looked to have occurred while he was rounding first base.  The hip problem ruined what had been a banner night for Betts, as that was his third double as part of a 4-for-4 performance.

Betts is now hitting .271/.375/.503 over 373 plate appearances, as he has been red-hot over the last month following something of a slow start (by his standards) to the 2021 season.  Betts’ semi-struggles early could have been due to some minor injuries, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and other reporters that the hip problem has been one of Betts’ “nagging” issues.  Roberts plans to have Betts back in the lineup as early as Monday, when the Dodgers begin a key series with the arch-rival Giants.

More on other injury situations around baseball…

  • Reds slugger Nick Castellanos left Friday night’s game after being hit in the right wrist by an Adrian Houser pitch, and Castellanos also wasn’t in tonight’s lineup.  X-rays were negative on Castellanos’ wrist, though it seems like he might get at least a day or two off for further examination.  Castellanos has been one of baseball’s best hitters this season, batting .330/.384/.583 with 18 home runs over 367 PA, and Cincinnati’s pennant race hopes would be badly stung if Castellanos had to be placed on the IL for any amount of time.
  • Corey Kluber might throw a bullpen session this coming Friday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler).  A rotator cuff strain sidelined Kluber back on May 26, and while he was initially projected for an eight-week recovery period, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said last month that September might be Kluber’s likelier return date.  Given the long absence and the fact that Kluber missed almost all of the 2019-20 seasons due to injury, the veteran right-hander is likely to require multiple bullpen sessions and a minor league rehab assignment before he can get back on a big league mound, which could account for Cashman’s extended timeline.  That said, it is a good sign that Kluber is beginning to ramp up throwing activities now, so an August return might not be out of the question.  Over 53 1/3 innings prior to his rotator cuff strain, Kluber looked good in posting a 3.04 ERA, showing some flashes of his old Cy Young Award-winning form.

West Notes: Kershaw, Rendon, Trout

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The Dodgers expect to get ace Clayton Kershaw back sometime in August, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter). That makes for a significant chunk of time away for Kershaw, who hit the injured list on July 17th. A couple of weeks time away isn’t jaw-dropping for most, but for one of if not the best pitcher of his generation, any amount of time away must concern the Dodger faithful. Kershaw owns a 3.39 ERA/2.99 FIP over 106 1/3 innings this season. Elsewhere in LA…

  • Anthony Rendon isn’t feeling much better, though the Angels don’t classify his injury right now as serious. He won’t be back until the end of July or early part of August, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter). Rendon hasn’t yet gotten going at the plate this season, suffering as he has from a number of ailments. His 98 wRC+ isn’t awful for most, but it’s far from what we’ve come to expect from Rendon.
  • Mike Trout, Harris adds, has yet to receive a rehab assignment, though he continues to progress nicely. Despite missing Trout, the Angels have remained afloat in the playoff hunt with an even 45-45 record.

Cole Hamels Holds Showcase For Interested Teams

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JULY 16: Twenty teams had representatives in attendance at today’s showcase, Heyman reports (Twitter link). The Angels and Cardinals were among the teams to send personnel, per reports from Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com and Katie Woo of the Athletic.

JULY 13, 3:59 pm: The Red Sox will also be in attendance, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.

JULY 13, 2:51 pm: The Phillies and Mets will have scouts watching Hamels, according to Heyman (Twitter links).  The Yankees will also be in attendance, The New York Post’s Joel Sherman tweets.  As teams will inevitably be revealed as being part of this showcase, it should be noted (as Sherman does) that the Yankees and many clubs send evaluators to these showcases as a normal order of business.

JULY 9: Free agent left-hander Cole Hamels will hold a showcase in front of teams on July 16, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). The Dodgers are among the teams who will have personnel in attendance, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (on Twitter).

It has been a protracted stay in free agency for Hamels, who hasn’t signed anywhere since the 2020 season concluded. There was never any indication the veteran southpaw planned to sit out for all of 2021, though, and he was reported to be building up a throwing program last month.

Hamels essentially had a lost 2020 season. Signed by the Braves to a one-year, $18MM deal over the 2019-20 offseason, he dealt with shoulder soreness in Spring Training and then began the shortened season on the injured list with a triceps issue. Hamels returned to make one appearance in mid-September before landing back on the IL with a season-ending shoulder problem.

Before 2020, Hamels was a paragon of durability, tossing at least 130 innings in every season between 2006-19. He was also a model of consistency, never posting an ERA higher than 4.32 and allowing fewer than four earned runs per nine innings in eleven of those fourteen campaigns. He was still effective as recently as 2019, when he tossed 141 2/3 innings of 3.81 ERA ball with solid strikeout and walk rates (23.2% and 7.1%, respectively) with the Cubs. Between his track record and the volume of pitcher injuries around the league in 2021, there figures to be plenty of teams in attendance next week to gauge Hamels’ current form.

MLB Places Trevor Bauer On Administrative Leave

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July 14: MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to extend Bauer’s administrative leave period through July 27, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link).

July 8: Major League Baseball and the union have agreed to extend Bauer’s leave by another seven days, the league announced.

July 2: Major League Baseball announced in a press release that Bauer has been placed on administrative leave:

MLB’s investigation into the allegations made against Trevor Bauer is ongoing. While no determination in the case has been made, we have made the decision to place Mr. Bauer on seven-day administrative leave effective immediately. MLB continues to collect information in our ongoing investigation concurrent with the Pasadena Police Department’s active criminal investigation. We will comment further at the appropriate time.

Placement on administrative leave is not a disciplinary action, and — as MLB’s statement acknowledges — does not reflect any finding of the league’s investigation. Players placed on administrative leave continue to be paid and to accumulate Major League service time. This is the most common step for the league to take while players are investigated under the league’s domestic violence policy.

MLB has unilateral authority to place players accused of a violation of the policy on seven-day administrative leave. Any further administrative leave placements, which would take effect in seven-day increments, have to be consented to by the MLB Players Association.*

June 30: The particulars of the 67-page ex parte restraining order are chronicled by Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic. Bauer and his representatives will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations during a formal hearing scheduled for July 23. Readers are warned that the piece contains many graphic and disturbing allegations.

June 29, 9:45pm: A spokesperson for the Pasadena Police Department confirmed they’re investigating the allegation against Bauer, Janes relays.

8:28 pm: Dodgers star Trevor Bauer is being investigated by the Pasadena Police Department after a woman accused him of assault, reports TMZ Sports. The alleged victim was granted a temporary ex parte restraining order today, according to TMZ.

Bauer’s agent Jon Fetterolf released a statement denying the allegations (relayed by Jeff Passan of ESPN). Fetterolf claims Bauer and the alleged victim had a pair of consensual sexual encounters and called the allegations contained in the restraining order “baseless.” TMZ reports that Bauer is cooperating with authorities and that the case is likely to be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney to determine whether charges are warranted.

Under the terms of the joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, Major League Baseball has the authority to issue discipline regardless of whether criminal charges are ultimately filed. MLB is aware of and looking into the matter, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.

*An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that the administrative leave window can be extended at the discretion of commissioner Rob Manfred. The post has been updated to reflect that any extensions of the administrative leave period beyond the initial seven days must be agreed upon with the MLB Players Association. MLBTR regrets the error.

Dodgers Claim Jimmie Sherfy, Designate Bobby Wahl

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The Dodgers have claimed right-hander Jimmie Sherfy off waivers from the Giants, according to multiple reporters (including MLB.com’s Maria I. Guardado and Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times).  Righty Bobby Wahl was designated for assignment to create roster space.

San Francisco designated Sherfy for assignment last week.  After being released by the Diamondbacks last August, Sherfy caught on with the Giants on a minors contract during the winter and tossed 10 2/3 MLB innings this season (posting a 4.22 ERA and 19.6% strikeout rate).  Sherfy totaled 45 1/3 innings over parts of the 2017-19 seasons with Arizona but didn’t see any big league action in 2020.

The Dodgers will now give Sherfy a look in their organization and may be pretty quickly parting ways with Wahl, who was acquired on another waiver claim off the Brewers’ roster just two weeks ago.  Wahl’s tenure with the Dodgers has thus far consisted of just one total inning over two appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The right-hander has 15 1/3 total innings on his big league resume, with 13 of those frames coming with the A’s and Mets in 2017-18 and the other 2 1/3 innings coming with the Brewers in 2020.  Wahl didn’t pitch at all in 2019 due to a torn ACL, and he has a 3.90 ERA and some big strikeout numbers (31.29% strikeout rate) over 233 career innings in the minors.

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