The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a good start in Cactus League play, as many of the organization’s top prospects have shined. On the injury front, Tom Koehler’s shoulder issue is the only serious trouble thus far.
As camp continues and Opening Day inches closer and closer, the focus will shift more towards the current Major League players to make sure they are ready for the season opener on March 29 against the San Francisco Giants.
Because of that, the Dodgers made their first round of cuts on Saturday night as Brock Stewart, Tim Locastro, Henry Owens and Dennis Santana were among the 20 players to be reassigned to Minor League camp, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Dodgers sent down 20 players. Locastro, Stewart, Owens, Santana were optioned.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 11, 2018
The other 16 players that were sent to Minor League camp were all non-roster invitees, which includes top prospects Keibert Ruiz, D.J. Peters and Yusniel Diaz:
More cuts: C Keibert Ruiz, C Shawn Zarraga, INF Matt Beaty, INF Drew Jackson, INF Edwin Rios, OF Yusniel Diaz, OF DJ Peters, OF Henry Ramos, OF Travis Taijeron, RHP Zach Neal, RHP Yaisel Sierra, RHP Joe Broussard, RHP Daniel Corcino, RHP CC Lee, LHP Brian Moran, Brian Schlitter
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 11, 2018
Stewart being optioned has to be considered the biggest surprise as he has past experience in the big leagues and came into camp battling a spot as a long-man in the bullpen and potential spot starter.
He has given up seven hits and four runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings of work in his three appearances though, so he will go back to the Minors to continue to work on his mechanics.
Locastro made his Major League debut with the Dodgers last September, but is only 3-for-20 (.150 batting average) this spring.
Henry Owens, once a prized prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this offseason. He still has some control issues to work out though as he walked four batters in 1.2 innings in his two appearances.
The 21-year-old Santana is one of the many heralded young arms in the organization, and he made the most of his time in big league camp as he tossed two shutout innings in his two appearances. He will go back to the Minor League side to continue his development, although he left a lasting first impression on the Dodgers coaching staff and front office.
