The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Billy McKinney and Zach Reks to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations three days after both players were designated for assignment as corresponding moves to adding Minor Leaguers to their 40-man roster.
McKinney and Reks join the list of former Dodgers who have made their way to the Rangers organization throughout the year. Texas traded for Dennis Santana after he was designated for assignment in June, and claimed DJ Peters off waivers in August.
Josh Sborz was also traded to the Rangers following his DFA in Spring Training.
The Dodgers acquired McKinney from the New York Mets in exchange for Minor League outfielder Carlos Rincon ahead of the trade deadline this past season. McKinney struggled to hit with the Milwaukee Brewers and Mets, and that carried over to his time with the Dodgers.
However, manager Dave Roberts continued to speak highly about his quality of at-bat and defense in the outfield. McKinney’s year appeared to come to an end Sept. 10 when he was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left hip impingement.
Despite not appearing in a regular season game after his IL stint, McKinney was on the Dodgers’ postseason roster for the Wild Card Game and National League Division Series.
He logged just one at-bat over a combined three games against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
A rash of injuries contributed to Reks being among the prospects who made his MLB debut this year. At the time of getting recalled in June, Reks had reached safely in 30 of 31 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He ranked in the top four of the Triple-A West in doubles (14), runs scored (32) and on-base percentage (.445). However, Reks was unable to find much traction in the batter’s box at the Major League level — albeit in minimal opportunities.
He went hitless and had seven strikeouts in 10 at-bats over six games with L.A. The Dodgers selected out the University of Kentucky in the 10th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
Dodgers 40-man roster
Even with removing McKinney and Reks, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster remains full because of adding Jacob Amaya, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard, Michael Grove and James Outman.
By doing so, however, the Dodgers protected the five Minor Leaguers from potentially getting selected in the 2021 Rule 5 Draft.
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