After back-to-back years marred by injuries and inconsistency, Chris Hatcher endured another such season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. Acquired from the Miami Marlins in a December 2014 trade, the hard-throwing righty never solidified himself in a bullpen that could’ve used his presence.
Last June, the Dodgers placed Hatcher on the 10-day disabled list due to thoracic inflammation. To that point he was 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA, 4.26 FIP and 1.34 WHIP in 26 games. Hatcher had 43 strikeouts against 12 walks, but had allowed seven home runs in 36.2 innings pitched.
Hatcher surrendered a then-career-high eight home runs in 40.2 innings over 37 games during the 2016 season. His stint on the disabled list was expected to be short, but Hatcher received a cortisone injection in July and didn’t return until August.
Two days after he was reinstated, the Dodgers traded Hatcher to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for international amateur signing bonus pool space. He went 1-1 with one save, three blown saves, and a 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 23 games with the Athletics.
Overall this season, the 32-year-old went 1-2 with one save, four blown saves, a 4.22 ERA, 4.28 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 49 games. Hatcher set career highs in innings pitched (59.2), strikeouts (63) and home runs allowed (10).
His 21 walks matched a personal-worst mark, previously set last season with the Dodgers.
2017 highlight
Hatcher strung together a combined 4.1 scoreless innings, with seven strikeouts and only five hits allowed in three relief appearances over a nine-day span in May.
2018 outlook:
Hatcher is eligible for salary arbitration for a second consecutive offseason. He avoided arbitration with the Dodgers last winter by agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million contract.
Hatcher was re-signed prior to the deadline that he be tendered a contract. While the Athletics may first tender Hatcher, it’s likely he will remain with the club for next season.
