Last week the Los Angeles Dodgers outrighted Scott Alexander, Andy Burns and Jimmie Sherfy off their 40-man roster after each cleared waivers.
However, Alexander and Sherfy both rejected the assignment and instead elected free agency. Alexander held that right by virtue of being a player with more than five years of Major League service time.
Meanwhile, Sherfy had been previously been outrighted in his career, and thus also held the option decline the Minor League assignment. That applied to Burns as well, but he has chosen to remain with the organization.
Burns first joined the Dodgers’ roster in June and went on to make franchise history by getting a hit and pitching in his first game with the team. Burns’ time with the Dodgers marked a return to the Majors since playing for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. He went 3-for-11 with three walks over nine games with L.A.
Burns was optioned June 23 as the corresponding move to Cody Bellinger getting activated off the 10-day injured list. He didn’t return until the National League Championship Series as a replacement for the injured Justin Turner.
The Dodgers designated Edwin Uceta for assignment in order to add Burns to the 40-man roster at the time, and the right-handed relief pitcher went on to be claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Burns was chosen over the likes of Billy McKinney and Zach McKinstry because of his versatility and being a right-handed hitter. Burns went 0-for-2 in pinch-hit appearances against the Atlanta Braves.
Burns hit .232/.361/.412 with 12 doubles, six home runs and 24 RBI over 54 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City this past season.
Dodgers 40-man roster outlook
Removing Alexander, Burns and Sherfy alleviated a potential logjam for the Dodgers. The deadline this past Sunday to extend a qualifying offer to eligible free agents coincided with needing to add players who were on the 60-day IL to the 40-man roster.
For the Dodgers it amounted to activating Garrett Cleavinger, Caleb Ferguson, Tommy Kahnle, Dustin May and Edwin Rios. Trevor Bauer was also removed from the restricted list.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
