The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Franklin Gutierrez to the 60-day disabled list in order to create room for Dylan Floro on the 40-man roster. Floro was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
Gutierrez had been on the 10-day DL since June 25 due to ankylosis spondylitis. He’s eligible to be activated Wednesday, Aug. 23. The DL stint marked the second of the season for Gutierrez, as he missed time in April due to a hamstring strain.
His gastrointestinal issue was something he and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts managed and monitored on a daily basis. The condition has thrown Gutierrez’s career off course and caused him to miss the entire 2014 season.
He enjoyed a bounce-back year with the Seattle Mariners last season, batting .246/.329/.452 with nine doubles, 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 98 games.
That was Gutierrez’s most games played since he appeared in 152 contests for the Mariners in 2010. A platoon role, coupled with injuries, has limited the 34-year-old to only 35 games in his first season with the Dodgers.
His deal included a $100,000 bonus each for 400 and 450 plate appearances, and a $200,000 bonus for 500 plate appearances. Gutierrez is batting .232/.317/.339 with three doubles, one home run and eight RBI in only 63 trips to the plate.
Gutierrez was signed to a one-year contract in February, under the notion he would play a role in helping the team reverse their fortunes against left-handed pitching.
Despite Gutierrez’s limited action and now prolonged absence, the Dodgers entered play Friday night batting .257/.345/.465 with a .345 wOBA and 114 wRC+ against southpaws. They rank sixth in on-base plus slugging percentage (.810), fifth in wOBA and fourth in wRC+.
