What’s been a busy week for the Los Angeles Dodgers by way of transactions continued on Thursday, as they claimed right-handed pitcher Alec Asher off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Zach Neal was designated for assignment as a corresponding move.
Asher is a 26-year-old former fourth-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 2012 out of Polk Community College in Florida. He has made 36 Major League appearances (18 starts) across three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Orioles.
With 116.2 career innings under his belt, Asher is 4-12 with a 5.55 ERA, 5.17 FIP and 1.39 WHIP while striking out 76 and walking 37.
In 2017 he spent some time both with Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles. He yielded a 5.25 ERA across 24 big league appearances (six starts) and a 4.65 ERA in 10 Triple-A starts.
Asher will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and his ability to both start and come out of the bullpen will provide the Dodgers with depth throughout the 2018 season.
Neal’s time with the Dodgers organization may not last long, as he was signed to a Minor League deal this past offseason. The Dodgers selected his contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City this week to aid their bullpen after it was taxed in a 15-inning game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He appeared in Tuesday’s game at Chase Field, allowing up two hits and one run in an inning of work in the loss to Arizona.
With Josh Fields expected to be activated off the paternity list before Friday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants, Neal’s time on the active roster was not expected to last longer than the Arizona series.
Should Neal clear waivers, he could be sent outright to Oklahoma City.
