The Los Angeles Angels returned 2024 Rule 5 Draft pick Garrett McDaniels to the Los Angeles Dodgers after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers.
McDaniels was among several Dodgers prospects who were picked by other teams in last year’s Rule 5 Draft. So too were Hyun-il Choi (Washington Nationals), Michael Hobbs (New York Mets), Orlando Ortiz Mayr (Miami Marlins) and Jefferson Valladares (Minnesota Twins).
Choi was the Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021.
The Angels took McDaniels with the third overall pick in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft. That was despite the left-hander not surpassing the Double-A level during his initial time in the Dodgers organization.
McDaniels was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 30th round in 2018 and he later signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers in May 2022.
McDaniels went 5-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 32 combined games (seven starts) last year for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa. McDaniels only appeared in two games for the Drillers.
While with the Angels before his DFA this season, the southpaw had a 5.91 ERA, 6.92 FIP and 1.97 WHIP across 10 games.
Why did Garrett McDaniels return to Dodgers?
In order to make picks during the Rule 5 Draft, a team needed to have room on their 40-man roster. Clubs pay $100,000 to select a player in the Major League phase, but if that player doesn’t stay on their active roster for the full ensuing season, he must be offered back to his former team for $50,000.
Costs range from $12,000 to $24,000 to make selections during the Minor League phases of the Rule 5 Draft. Players selected during this portion are not subject to the aforementioned roster rule with their new organization.
Because the Angels removed McDaniels from their roster, he was offered back to the Dodgers. An identical scenario unfolded in 2023 when Gus Varland returned to the Dodgers after being picked by the Milwaukee Brewers in the annual Rule 5 Draft.
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