The Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, outfielder Corey Brown, infielder Brandon Hicks and catcher Shawn Zarraga to Minor League camp on Monday afternoon. This marks the third round of bulk roster cuts this spring.
Jharel Cotton was one of eight sent to the Minor League side at Camelback Ranch on March 14. Three days later, Jose De Leon and Julio Urias were among a group of seven who were reassigned.
Zach Lee was optioned to Minor League camp on Sunday, however that was prior to Mike Bolsinger getting scratched from his start with an oblique strain. It’s plausible the Dodgers will cancel Lee’s option.
Brooks Brown was the Dodgers’ first roster cut of Spring Training, though unlike the aforementioned players, Brown was released from the organization in late February.
Participating as a non-roster invitee big league camp for the first time, the 20-year-old Bellinger impressed. Including starts, pinch-hit appearances and being utilized off the bench, he appeared in 16 games.
Bellinger hit .435/.581/1.233 with one home run, two doubles, three RBIs and six runs scored. Brown batted .250/.387/.292 while appearing in 18 games. He received about equal time in all three outfield positions — seven in left field, six in right and five in center.
Hicks was primarily used as a replacement off the bench, playing second base, third base and shortstop. He hit .200/.320/.200 with three RBIs, four walks and six strikeouts in 24 plate appearances over 19 games.
Zarraga batted .526/.550/.579 with one double and one RBI in 20 plate appearances. He appeared in 10 games, surpassing his total of eight last spring.
The Dodgers now have 42 players in big league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, both of whom are on the 60-day disabled list. They presumably will be joined on the 60-day DL by Brett Anderson in the near future.
