Veteran outfielder Will Venable cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a second time in a month’s span. That keeps Venable within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, though not on the club’s 40-man roster.
He was designated for assignment on July 7 when the Dodgers reinstated Hyun-Jin Ryu from the 60-day disabled list. In agreeing to join Oklahoma City, the 33-year-old again passed on electing for free agency.
The Dodgers signed Venable on June 14 as a means to add a left-handed bat and versatile outfielder to their short bench. He saw sporadic playing time over two stints with the Dodgers, going 1-for-18 with one double and two runs scored in 12 games (three starts).
Venable was in Thursday’s lineup for Oklahoma City, starting in left field and going 2-for-4. He began the year with the Cleveland Indians but struggled during Spring Training and was released in late March.
Venable then joined the Philadelphia Phillies on a Minor-League contract and hit .205/.304/.307 with seven doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs over 41 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley before opting out of his deal.
In parts of nine seasons with the Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres, Venable is a career .249/.315/.404 batter, with 81 home runs, 307 RBIs and 135 stolen bases.
