Heath Hembree signed a Minor League contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past June after being designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hembree went 2-0 with a 7.16 ERA, 8.19 FIP and 1.90 WHIP in 16.1 innings pitched for the Pirates (20 appearances). The 33-year-old initially reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA in 10 games.
After two months in the Minors, the Dodgers selected Hembree’s contract prior to their series opener against the New York Mets on August 30.
Hembree earned a win in his Dodgers debut but struggled for the most part during two weeks with the team. He posted a 7.94 ERA, 5.22 FIP and 2.12 WHIP in 5.2 innings while striking out 7.94 batters per nine and walking 4.76 per nine over six appearances.
The Dodgers designated Hembree for assignment on September 13 and he elected free agency after clearing waivers rather than accepting a Minor League assignment to Oklahoma City.
Hembree was originally selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. In parts of 10 MLB seasons with the Giants, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pirates and Dodgers, Hembree is 21-13 with a 4.39 ERA, 4.67 FIP and 1.39 WHIP across 357 games.
Heath Hembree 2022 highlight
Hembree enjoyed his best performance of the 2022 season in his Dodgers debut against the Mets, when he allowed two hits over one scoreless inning with one strikeout. Hembree was credited with his third win of the year and first as a member of the Dodgers.
2023 outlook
Despite enduring the worst statistical season of his career, Hembree should be able to land a Minor League contract this offseason that includes an invitation to big league camp for 2023 Spring Training.
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