The Los Angeles Dodgers designated Alex Guerrero for assignment on Tuesday. The club now has the option to reinstate Guerrero to the 40-man roster, release him, trade him, or place him on waivers. The clock on his 20-day rehab assignment expired Sunday.
After opening the 2016 season on the disabled list, he began to work his way back to action in extended Spring Training. Guerrero began his rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, starting two games at third base, two in left field, and a pair as the Quakes’ designated hitter.
He batted .238/.273/.381 (5-for-21) with one home run, three RBIs and three strikeouts over that stretch. Guerrero then joined Double-A Tulsa for eight games, and spent two with Oklahoma City. He went 1-for-8 with six strikeouts over the two games with OKC, starting both in left field.
In total, Guerrero was 9-or-66 (.136) with one double, one home run, two walks and 14 strikeouts with the three affiliates.
The 29-year-old Cuban native was slated to primarily play third base this spring, but was limited to just nine Cactus League games due to a knee injury.
Guerrero hit .238/.238/.571 with one double, two home runs, two RBIs and four strikeouts in 21 plate appearances. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed in early April that an MRI on Guerrero’s balky knee showed some damage, though the injury wasn’t believed to be serious.
He’s owed $5 million this year and $7.5 million in 2017, in a four-year, $28 million deal he signed in October 2013. Along with a clause preventing Guerrero from being optioned to the Minors without his consent, there’s another that would allow him to opt out after a season in which he is traded.
Guerrero hit .233/.261/.434 with nine doubles, 11 home runs and 36 RBIs over 106 games (230 plate appearances) last season.
