The Atlanta Braves claimed Luke Williams off waivers on Monday, marking the end of his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after seven months.
The Dodgers claimed Williams off waivers last November, only to non-tender him less than two weeks later. Williams became a free agent but ultimately signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers and was among their non-roster invitees to Spring Training.
Williams impressed during Cactus League play, although began the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was added to the Dodgers roster on April 18 as the corresponding move to Mookie Betts going on the paternity list.
“I think I know my role here,” Williams said at the time. “It’s just do whatever I can to help the team win. Whether that’s coming off the bench, playing defense, base running, wherever the team’s going to ask me, I’m going to do it.”
Williams remained up with the Dodgers until being optioned to OKC when Max Muncy was reinstated from the paternity list. He appeared in four games (three starts) with the Dodgers, managing just one hit in 10 at-bats over that span.
Williams’ stint with the Dodgers was extended beyond Betts’ paternity leave, as the Dodgers Miguel Rojas subsequently needed to put Miguel Rojas on the 10-day injured list and Chris Taylor was limited by an oblique issue.
While playing in 42 games for Oklahoma City this season, Williams hit .268/.364/.452 with nine doubles, two triples, six home runs and 29 RBI. He played shortstop (40 games; 39 starts), third base (one start) and left field (two starts).
Luke Williams impressed Dave Roberts
Although the Dodgers optioned Williams to Oklahoma City prior to the regular season beginning, he made a strong impression on manager Dave Roberts.
“Luke is just on the outside looking in, but he’s a Major League player,” Roberts said at the end of Spring Training.
“He’s going to go down to Triple-A and play some third, play some short, play some second. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him at some point help us. I like everything about him. I like the way he prepares, his head, I like the skillset. The last couple weeks of spring he’s really taken off.”
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