The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a plethora of injuries and inconsistent performances this season, which created a roster crunch as they looked for improvements and welcomed players back.
Since the end of July, the team has removed 11 players off their 40-man and active rosters by designating them for assignment.
A large part of the Dodgers roster has been affected, from veterans like James Paxton, Ryan Yarbrough, Amed Rosario, Nick Ahmed and Jason Heyward to fringe players such as Ricky Vanasco, Yohan Ramírez, Gus Varland, Nick Ramirez, Cavan Biggio and Brent Honeywell.
Most of the aforementioned names have moved on to different organizations while others remain in limbo.
Dodgers DFA decisions
July 22: James Paxton
The Dodgers’ roster crunch began when they designated Paxton for assignment one day after he earned a win over the Boston Red Sox. It was the corresponding move to make room for prospect River Ryan on the 40-man and active rosters for his MLB debut.
The Dodgers ultimately traded Paxton to the Red Sox in exchange for prospect Moises Bolivar. Paxton made just three starts for Boston before suffering a right calf strain that forced him to the 60-day injured list.
Ryan became a solid contributor but had his season come to an end with Tommy John surgery.
July 24: Ricky Vanasco
The Dodgers designated Vanasco for assignment in order to make room on their 40-man roster for the signing of Nick Ahmed, which was needed because of Miguel Rojas going on the 10-day injured list and Mookie Betts still recovering from a left hand fracture.
Vanasco was later traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
July 25: Yohan Ramírez
Ramírez was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to the Dodgers reinstating Clayton Kershaw from the 60-day injured list.
The Red Sox claimed Ramírez off waivers.
July 29: Ryan Yarbrough
Yarbrough was designated for the assignment to make room for the acquisition of Rosario on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
The club then traded Yarbrough to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Kevin Kiermaier and cash considerations.
July 30: Gus Varland & Nick Ramirez
Varland and Ramirez were designated for assignment as the corresponding moves to the Dodgers adding Jack Flaherty and Kiermaier to the 40-man roster.
Varland was later claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox and Ramirez got sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Aug. 5: Cavan Biggio
The Dodgers designated Biggio for assignment as the corresponding move to Freddie Freeman returning from the restricted list and family emergency leave.
Biggio elected free agency and went on to sign a Minor League contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Aug. 12: Amed Rosario
Rosario’s second stint with the Dodgers was short-lived as he got designated for assignment in order to activate Betts off the 10-day IL.
The Cincinnati Reds claimed Rosario off waivers.
Aug. 18: Brent Honeywell
Honeywell was designated for assignment as the corresponding roster move to the Dodgers calling up prospect Ben Casparius to help provide depth in the bullpen.
Honeywell cleared waivers and sent outright to Oklahoma City.
Aug. 19: Nick Ahmed
Ahmed was designated for assignment by the Dodgers as the corresponding move to Edman being reinstated off the 60-day IL.
Ahmed rejected an assignment to Oklahoma City after clearing waivers and is now a free agent for the second time this season.
Aug. 22: Jason Heyward
Perhaps the most surprising decision was when the Dodgers designated Heyward for assignment to activate Chris Taylor off the 10-day IL.
Heyward didn’t get claimed off waivers and was released by the Dodgers. That made Heyward a free agent, but he’s since signed with the Houston Astros.
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