The Los Angeles Dodgers released Josh Fields from the organization, three days after he was designated for assignment in a corresponding roster move to the team claiming Donnie Hart off waivers.
Fields appeared in three Cactus League games this year, allowing just one hit and a run over three innings pitched, while striking out two and walking one. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by indications Fields was moving past last season’s injury trouble.
The 33-year-old dealt with shoulder issues that kept him out for much of the second half of 2018 and prevented him from earning a spot on any of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters. Fields appeared in 45 games last season, pitching to a 2.20 ERA, 3.62 FIP and 0.95 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and 11 walks in 41 innings.
While Fields’ ERA was a career-best mark, his strikeout rate plummeted to a 21.4 percent; the lowest in any of his six seasons in the Majors.
Fields avoided arbitration for a second consecutive year by agreeing to a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Dodgers. He was due to become a free agent following the 2019 season.
The right-handed reliever first joined the Dodgers in an August 2016 trade with the Houston Astros. Over parts of three seasons with the team, Fields went 8-2 with four saves, a 2.61 ERA, 3.89 FIP and 1.04 WHIP in 124 games.
