The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday designated Trayce Thompson for assignment in a corresponding move to create room on the 40-man roster for the addition of Cory Mazzoni, who was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
Thompson was competing for the final spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster but faced an uphill battle to be selected ahead of the likes of Kyle Farmer, Joc Pederson or Andrew Toles. Thompson went 12-for-47 (.255 batting average) in 20 Spring Training games this year.
He produced a .271 on-base percentage, .362 slugging, and had two doubles, one home run and one RBI. Thompson appeared in each of the first two exhibition Freeway Series games, going a combined 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.
The Dodgers acquired the 27-year-old in December 2015 as part of the three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds. Thompson was enjoying a breakout campaign with the club in 2016 but had his season derailed due to a complicated back injury.
What amounted to multiple fractures prevented Thompson from playing after July 10, 2016, and last season saw him get off to a miserable start. He opened the year a combined 0-for-38 with the Dodgers and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Thompson only appeared in 27 Major League games last season. He recently expressed a desire and hope to remain with the Dodgers, but also admitted to feeling as though he deserved an opportunity to be on an Opening Day roster, whether in Los Angeles or with another team.
The Dodgers now have seven days to find a trade partner for Thompson, put him on waivers or release him. In the unlikely event Thompson clears waivers, he could be sent outright to the Minors and remain part of the Dodgers organization.
