The Los Angeles Dodgers made more Spring Training roster cuts on Tuesday by optioning Zach McKinstry to Minor League camp and re-assigning Andy Burns as well. The Dodgers are now down to 41 players in big league camp as Opening Day of the 2022 season nears.
Burns and McKinstry remain eligible to appear in Cactus League games as Minor League callups moving forward.
McKinstry getting optioned all but assures he will not be part of the Dodgers’ expanded roster of 28 players to begin the season. He was with the team for Opening Day of the 2021 campaign and began to play his way into a regular role at second base.
However, a right oblique strain wound up throwing his year off course. McKinstry went into 2022 Spring Training looking to again earn a spot on the Dodgers bench. However, that competition has began to tilt in favor of Edwin Rios and Jake Lamb.
McKinstry has appeared in nine Cactus League games this year, going 5-for-14 with one double and one RBI.
Burns began the 2021 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City but was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last June after Dennis Santana was designated for assignment. It marked Burns’ first time back in the Majors since appearing in 10 games for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2016 season.
Burns’ debut with the Dodgers was memorable as he became the first position player to collect his first career hit and pitch in the same game since at least the Expansion Era (1961).
The Dodgers removed Burns from their 40-man roster during the offseason but he cleared waivers and chose to accept an outright assignment to the Minors.
Burns is just 3-for-15 across 10 Spring Training games, but is tied for the team lead with two home runs.
2022 Dodgers Spring Training roster
L.A. previously optioned Jacob Amaya, Michael Grove, Eddys Leonard, James Outman, Jorbit Vivas, Darien Núñez and Andre Jackson to Minor League camp; and re-assigned Carson Taylor, Hunter Feduccia, Kody Hoese, Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch, Andy Pages, Ryan Noda, Bobby Wahl, Yefry Ramirez, Sam Gaviglio, Robbie Erlin, Carson Fulmer, Ryan Pepiot, Mike Wright, Jon Duplantier, Beau Burrows and Jason Martin.
Remaining players on the Dodgers Spring Training roster includes nine non-roster invitees. The total breakdown is 22 pitchers (three non-roster), four catchers (two), nine infielders (two), four outfielders (two), and three outfielder/infielders.
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