UPDATE (May 31, 4:05 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced Alex Guerrero was designated for assignment.
Since Alex Guerrero failed to win the starting job at second base after signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’s largely been someone without a clear position. Guerrero was moved to third base last spring, where he proved serviceable, and he also saw action in left field.
However, Guerrero’s playing time last season diminished as he cooled off at the plate. Amid offseason reports of the Dodgers’ interest in trading Carl Crawford and/or Andre Ethier, Guerrero was named the outfielder most likely to be moved.
That never came to fruition and Guerrero reported to Camelback Ranch for his third Spring Training with the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts said the club intended to have the Cuban native focus on playing third base, but a knee injury limited Guerrero to just nine Cactus League games.
He began the season on the disabled list and completed a rehab assignment on Sunday. Needing to make a roster decision on the 29 year old, the Dodgers are likely to designate Guerrero for assignment, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
Hearing the #Dodgers will designate Alex Guerrero for assignment today. Not official yet.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) May 31, 2016
While Guerrero doesn’t have a natural fit on the Dodgers’ active roster, a contract clause prevents the club from optioning him to the Minors without his consent. As he did last season, Guerrero let it be known he would not accept a Minor League assignment.
Guerrero is owed $5 million this year and $7.5 million next season, of a four-year, $28 million deal he signed in October 2013. He hit .233/.261/.434 with nine doubles, 11 home runs and 36 RBIs over 106 games (230 plate appearances) last season.
Should Guerrero be designated for assignment, it would give the Dodgers time to either reinstate him to the 40-man roster, release him, trade him, or place him on waivers.
