After spending his rookie season with the Texas Rangers in 2014, Matt West was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays to begin the 2015 season.
He was later designated for assignment and traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations.
The 26 year old debuted with Double-A Tulsa on May 7 and proceeded to appear in five games before joining Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He was up with the club for one day on May 31, but West didn’t make his Dodgers debut until his June 20 against the rival San Francisco Giants.
He appeared in back-to-back games, throwing a combined three shutout innings while striking out two batters and allowing just two hits. West was designated for assignment on July 11 to clear room on the 40-man roster for Brandon Beachy.
West accepted the outright assignment and went on to appear in games at the Triple-A and Double-A level, plus he pitched in one game for the Rookie Arizona League Dodgers prior to the season coming to an end.
In 14 games with the OKC Dodgers, the right-hander went 1-1 with a 7.83 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 23 innings (14 games). West was 1-1 with a 0.56 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 12 games with the Drillers.
2015 Highlight
Although the sample size was small, the highlight of the season for the young career of West came on June 21 against the Giants as he closed out the game at Dodger Stadium in the Dodgers’ 10-2 win over their rival.
In the ninth inning, West allowed just one hit and struck out two batters.
2016 Outlook
The Dodgers signed West in December to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
The 27 year old is unlike to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster and should again find himself back with the Triple-A club. As was the case last season, West figures to be a candidate for spot-relief duty at various points next season.
