The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided arbitration with Chris Hatcher and Scott Van Slyke by re-signing each to a one-year contract. Los Angeles has seven remaining players who are eligible for salary arbitration and must be tendered by Friday’s deadline.
After a disappointing 2015 season, Van Slyke was hoping to recapture his 2014 form. But he only managed to appear in four games, getting removed early on April 9 due to back tightness. That led to a lengthy stint on the disabled list that kept Van Slyke sidelined until early June.
He played semi-regularly throughout June and July, but had August cut short due to a wrist injury that required another stay on the DL.
Though Van Slyke this time did not return, as he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 26, and immediately after underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery to remove cysts from his left wrist.
In 52 games this season, Van Slyke batted .225/.292/.314 with six doubles, one home run and seven RBIs in 113 plate appearances.
Hatcher endured similar injury woes in what was his second season with the Dodgers. The right-hander struggled in April, rebounded in May, but was then used sparingly in June.
After allowing three runs without recording an out on July 19, Hatcher was placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain — an injury he also suffered from 2015. Hatcher was transferred to the 60-day DL two days later, and didn’t pitch again this season.
He finished the year with a 5.53 ERA, 5.21 FIP and 1.50 WHIP over 37 games.
