Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Steven Souza Jr. announced his retirement after playing parts of eight seasons in the Majors. Souza revealed the news in a Twitter post where he reflected on his long journey to the big leagues.
The Washington Nationals selected Souza in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft and he would go on to make his debut seven years later. After appearing in 21 games, the 33-year-old was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2014 offseason as part of a three-team deal that included the San Diego Padres.
Souza spent three seasons with the Rays before being involved in another three-team trade that sent him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018.
Souza played only one season in Arizona as his time with the organization was cut short after suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament, posterior lateral capsule and partially tore his left posterior cruciate ligament during 2019 Spring Training.
Time to call it a Career pic.twitter.com/pQ77oLYAkn
— Steven Souza (@SouzaJr) July 19, 2022
Souza then signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs for the 2020 season. He appeared in only 11 games before being released in September of that year.
Souza joined Houston Astros on a Minor League contract for the 2021 season but did not make the team out of Spring Training. That allowed the Dodgers to add Souza on another Minor League pact.
The veteran outfielder began the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City until getting called up by the Dodgers in the middle of June. He hit .279/.444/.603 with four doubles, six home runs and 16 RBI over 22 games for OKC prior to that point.
Souza remained with the Dodgers until getting designated for assignment on July 6. He wound up clearing waivers and re-signed with the team on another Minor League contract.
Souza was DFA’d for a second time in September, but again remained with the organization. Despite struggling, he wound up being part of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters for the Wild Card Series, National League Division Series and NL Championship Series.
Souza became a free agent at the end of the year and went on to sign a Minor League contract with the Seattle Mariners for the 2022 season. He went 3-for-19 before being released in May.
Souza adds to list of former Dodgers retiring
Souza joins Russell Martin, Adrián González, Drew Butera and Tony Watson as former Dodgers who have retired over recent months. Matt Magill, who was taken by the team in the 31st round of the 2008 MLB Draft, also retired.
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