When the Los Angeles Dodgers packaged Dee Gordon in a December 2014 trade with the Miami Marlins, their return included hard-throwing Chris Hatcher. The converted catcher was coming off a productive season, which was his first of substance in the Majors.
Hatcher pitched well in his first season with the Dodgers, then hit a rough patch and spent a lengthy period on disabled list due to an oblique strain. He was strong to close out 2015 after coming off the DL in August, but the injury was a precursor for 2016.
But prior to that, the right-hander got off to a rough start in 2016. Hatcher allowed two home runs in his first four games and soon after had a pair of subpar appearances at Coors Field.
That’s to be expected in some regard considering the hitter-friendly environment, but allowing three runs to the San Diego Padres is not.
Hatcher’s ERA ERA ballooned to 8.44 following the April 29 appearance in which he suffered the loss to the Padres. After a rebound in May, the 31-year-old continued to face adversity heading into the summer months.
He was used sparingly in June, and although Hatcher finished the month poorly, he posted a 3.55 ERA. In a break from how Hatcher was typically utilized, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stretched the right-hander out, pitching him at least two innings in five of eight June appearances.
Then, in July, an old nemesis re-appeared. After allowing three runs without recording an out on July 19, Hatcher was placed on the disabled list with a Grade 3 oblique strain. He was transferred to the 60-day DL two days later, and didn’t pitch again during the 2016 season.
2016 Highlight
Although it came in a loss, Hatcher gave the Dodgers two scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 2. He walked one batter and had a season-high five strikeouts.
It was just the second time this season Hatcher went two innings, and it marked the start of the aforementioned change in role that month.
Another bright moment in 2016, albeit off the field, came April 14 when Hatcher and his wife, Jenny, welcomed a son into the world.
2017 Outlook
Hatcher has been placed on the 60-day disabled list with a left oblique strain twice in the past two seasons. He doesn’t have options left and is in his second year of arbitration eligibility.
Should he manage to remain healthy next season it would bolster an uncertain bullpen.
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