The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed infielder Cole Figueroa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Los Angeles now has a full 40-man roster.
Figueroa was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 11 and designated for assignment June 24. He appeared in 23 games with the Pirates this season, batting .154/.185/.154 with three RBIs, one walk and two strikeouts in 27 plate appearances.
His Major League experience includes brief time spent with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014 and New York Yankees last season. In 23 games with the Rays, Figueroa hit .233/.286/.326 with two doubles, one triple and six RBIs.
He played just two games for the Yankees, going 2-for-8 with two doubles. Figueroa, who will turn 29 years old on Thursday, has logged time in the Majors at second base, third base and shortstop. He’s a .208/.250/.286 batter in 48 career Major League games.
In 20 Triple-A games this season, he hit .307/.333/.453 with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 11 RBIs and two stolen bases. Figueroa was selected by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round of the 2008 Draft.
His time with the Padres organization overlapped with that of Josh Byrnes, the Dodgers’ senior vice president of baseball operations. What’s more, Figueroa’s tenure with the Rays coincided with Andrew Friedman sitting at the helm of their front office.
Figueroa presumably aids Oklahoma City in replacing infielder Chris Taylor, who was recalled by the Dodgers on Saturday. However, it will require the club to now clear a spot on the 40-man roster when Brock Stewart presumably is called up for his Major League debut on Wednesday.
