The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired for outfielder James Ramsey and infielder Zach Walters from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations. Both players were sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In corresponding moves, Andre Ethier and Josh Ravin were transferred to the 60-day disabled list to clear room on the 40-man roster for Ramsey and Walters. A bone scan revealed Ethier sustained a fractured right tibia that’s expected to keep him out through May, while Ravin suffered a broken left forearm that required surgery at the beginning of Spring Training after he was involved in an auto accident.
Ramsey and Walters joined Cleveland on the same day last July in separate trades. Ramsey was acquired in the deal that sent Justin Masterson to the St. Louis Cardinals, while Walters was traded to Cleveland by the Washington Nationals in exchange for Asdrubal Cabrera.
After spending Spring Training with the Indians, Ramsey and Walters were designated for assignment prior to Opening Day. Ramsey was selected No. 22 overall in the 2012 draft — five picks behind Corey Seager — by the Minnesota Twins.
Ramsey has yet to make his Major League debut. He logged time at all three outfield positions with Triple-A Columbus in 2015. In 126 games played, Ramsey batted .243/.327/.382 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 42 RBIs.
Walters was taken in the ninth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010. He’s played second base base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field over parts of four seasons (82 games) in the Majors.
Walters is a career .182/.233/.394 batter during that span. He hit .249/.310/.416 in 91 Triple-A games last season. The newly acquired players help strengthen the depth in an outfield that’s succumb to injuries.
Carl Crawford joined Ethier on the DL, due to lower back soreness, while Scott Van Slyke was removed from Saturday’s game due to a back issue. Both players don’t believe their situation is serious, though Crawford is scheduled to undergo an MRI, and Van Slyke wasn’t in Sunday’s lineup.
Micah Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the vacant spot left by Crawford.
