Soon after completing a blockbuster trade to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Chad Wallach to address the organization’s catching depth.
Wallach was designated for assignment last weekend as a corresponding roster move to activating Brian Anderson off the 60-day injured list. Wallach spent the past four seasons with Miami, batting .207/.271/.303 with nine doubles, three home runs and 20 RBI in just 71 games.
Wallach presumably will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, who are in need of a catcher due to Keibert Ruiz being included in the trade with the Nationals. Without Wallach, the Dodgers were looking at the likes of Stevie Berman, Hunter Fedducia or Hamlet Marte serving as an emergency third catcher for the Major League roster.
The Dodgers have multiple ties to Wallach, with his father Tim playing four seasons with the team and also being part of former manager Don Mattingly’s staff, including two years as bench coach. Tim Wallach followed Mattingly to Miami but was not retained after the 2019 season.
The Dodgers selected Chad out of high school in the 43rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft but he elected to attend California State University Fullerton rather than sign. Wallach then was taken by the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2013 Draft.
However, the Marlins traded Wallach along with Anthony DeSclafani to the Cincinnati Reds for Mat Latos in December 2014. He went on to make his MLB debut with the Reds in 2017, though only appeared in six games.
Dodgers awaiting reinforcements
In addition to adding Danny Duffy, Scherzer and Turner via trade, the Dodgers also expect the returns of Corey Seager, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Knebel in the coming weeks. Seager and Betts should both be back on the field this weekend.
Seager was activated off the 60-day IL on Friday, and Betts is expected to be reinstated for the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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