The Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday acquired Joe Gunkel from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Los Angeles now has a full 40-man roster.
Gunkel was designated for assignment by Orioles on April 7, when the team acquired Miguel Castro from the Colorado Rockies. Gunkel has three Minor League options remaining. He was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round of the 2013 Draft.
Gunkel spent three seasons with the Red Sox organization, and the past two with the Orioles. The right-hander was traded to the Orioles in July 2015 for outfielder Alejandro de Aza
The 25-year-old Gunkel is a combined 28-25 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 99 career games (65 starts) in the Minors. He has 356 strikeouts to just 75 walks over 430.1 innings pitched.
Last season, Gunkel went 8-14 with a 4.02 ERA in 28 starts during time spent with the Orioles’ Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie affiliates. Four of the starts came at the Double-A level.
Gunkel figures to provide depth with Triple-A Oklahoma City, whose starting rotation is currently without Brock Stewart (shoulder tendinitis).
In February, the Dodgers dealt relief pitcher Vidal Nuño to the Orioles in exchange for Minor League pitcher Ryan Moseley. The move freed up a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster at a time when the club needed to finalize a contract with free agent Franklin Gutierrez.
