After making an improbable return to the Majors in 2015, Chin-Hui Tsao re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a Minor League contract, but was one of multiple pitchers lost to injury and failed to make an impact this season.
Last season Tsao appeared in five games with the Dodgers and allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 15 hits, including three home runs, over seven innings. He went 1-1 with a 10.29 ERA, 7.99 FIP, 2.57 WHIP, seven strikeouts and three walks.
Tsao’s inflated ERA was a byproduct of allowing six runs in 0.2 innings in a blowout loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 25. Tsao otherwise allowed just two runs over his four other appearances.
The veteran right-hander fared well with Triple-A Oklahoma City, pitching to a 2.77 ERA and recording seven saves in 30 games.
Tsao began this season with OKC and appeared in 17 games prior to joining the Dodgers in May. He went 1-1 with six saves, a 3.31 ERA, five walks and 14 strikeouts in 16.1 innings.
Tsao managed to pitch in just two games after he was called up. The second appearance was an unmitigated disaster and his final time pitching in 2016.
Against the San Diego Padres on May 21, Tsao entered in the 11th inning with the game tied. He allowed a leadoff single but retired the next two batters. One was Melvin Upton, who flied out to the warning track.
The wheels then fell off for Tsao as he walked the bases loaded, then walked in the winning run. The Dodgers and Padres played a 17-inning game the following afternoon, but Tsao did not enter — he remained fashioned to a foldout chair in the dugout throughout the marathon affair.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained after his club’s victory that Tsao was unavailable due to what was described at the time as soreness. Tsao landed on the 15-day disabled list the following day due to a right triceps strain.
Los Angeles then transferred him to the 60-day DL one month later when Layne Somsen was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees.
2016 Highlight
From May 7-14, Tsao recorded four saves with Oklahoma City by throwing a combined 4.1 scoreless innings. Prior to his fateful relief appearance with the Dodgers, he turned in a perfect inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
2017 Outlook
Tsao has enough Major League service time to qualify for salary arbitration this winter. However, that only will involve the Dodgers if he manages to remain part of their 40-man roster.
Considering the injury-shortened season, it’s likely the 35-year-old will need to latch on with the Dodgers, or another club, on a Minor League contract.
