The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contracts of right-handed pitchers Trevor Oaks and Dennis Santana to protect from potentially losing either of the prospects in the upcoming 2017 Rule 5 Draft.
To clear room for Oaks and Santana, the Dodgers designated Josh Ravin for assignment. Grant Dayton, recovering from Tommy John surgery, was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers’ 40-man roster remains full.
Teams had until 5 p.m. PT on Monday to place applicable players on their 40-man rosters. Players initially signed at 18 years old needed to be added within five seasons or they became eligible to be selected in Rule 5.
Those who signed at 19 or older had to be protected within four seasons. Players selected during the Major League portion of the Rule 5 draft cost $50,000 and must spend the entire season on the new team’s active roster, or be offered back to their previous club for $25,000.
Oaks was selected by the Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2014 Draft. He went 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma City. His last came June 28, because of injury.
Upon returning to the mound one month later, Oaks threw a combined 7.2 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) in three starts (one with Arizona League Dodgers; two with Rookie-level Ogden).
Santana, signed by the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic, enjoyed a breakout season in which he spent time with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa. The 21-year-old went 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 games (14 starts) for the Quakes before earning a promotion.
With the Drillers, Santana was 3-1 with a 5.51 ERA in seven starts. The games were the first of his career at the Double-A level.
Last November, the Dodgers added Chase De Jong, Kyle Farmer and Jacob Rhame to their 40-man roster ahead of the annual Rule 5 Draft. De Jong was later traded to the Seattle Mariners, and Rhame was the player to be named later sent to the New York Mets for Curtis Granderson.
