The Los Angeles Dodgers did more work to the fringes of their roster on Wednesday afternoon when they claimed Lisalverto Bonilla off waivers from the Texas Rangers. Bonilla, recovering from Tommy John surgery completed in April, was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
Bonilla began last season with the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he went 4-2 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 39 games (15 starts). He reached the Majors in September, appearing in five games; three of which were starts.
Bonilla was 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts to 12 walks in 20.2 innings pitched. Prior to undergoing season-ending surgery this year, Bonilla was with the Rangers for Spring Training and faced the Dodgers March 21 at the Alamodome.
While the right-hander managed to collect seven strikeouts in the outing, Bonilla also allowed six runs, including homers to Buck Britton and Adrian Gonzalez.
Prior to joining the Rangers organization in 2013, Bonilla was with the Philadelphia Phillies, who signed the right-hander out of the Dominican Republic at the tender age of 18 years old in 1990.
The 25-year-old Bonilla is expected to serve as a reliever for the Dodgers, and joins Brooks Brown as pitchers added to the organization within the last week. The Dodgers designated Jim Johnson for assignment in order to claim Brown.
Given that Bonilla was placed on the 60-day DL, a corresponding 40-man roster move wasn’t required.
