Dodgers Pitcher Designated for Assignment Remains in Organization

The Los Angeles Dodgers recently made a notable roster move by outrighting left-handed pitcher Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City, as he went unclaimed on waivers, according to MLB.com’s transaction log.

This move follows Ramirez being designated for assignment.

Ramirez had been outrighted before and could have rejected the assignment in favor of free agency. In his first appearance since rejoining the Dodgers’ top farm club, Ramirez threw two scoreless innings Saturday against Tacoma.

The Dodgers picked up Ramirez from the Yankees on April 2, sending cash to New York in return. It was surprising when the Yankees designated the then-34-year-old Ramirez (now 35) for assignment, given that he had posted an impressive 2.66 ERA over 40.2 innings in 2023.

While he had a below-average 16.3 percent strikeout rate last year, he offset that with an excellent 5.2 percent walk rate. Despite a solid season, Ramirez became an early-season roster casualty.

After the Yankees designated him for assignment, Ramirez didn’t make it to waivers, but he has now gone unclaimed twice after being DFA’d by the Dodgers this season.

In 13.1 big league innings, he’s struggled, giving up nine runs on 18 hits, seven walks, and only five strikeouts. His performance in Oklahoma City has been better but not standout; in 31 Triple-A innings this season, he has a 4.65 ERA, a 19.2 percent strikeout rate, and a 4.6 percent walk rate.

The Southern California native has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with Detroit (2019-20), San Diego (2021), and New York (AL) (2023). Over 96 games, he has a 7-7 record and a 4.04 ERA. He was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, coming out of Cal State Fullerton.

Ramirez was last called up on Sept. 8 and in order to make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen for assignment.

Teams can only option players to the minors five times in a calendar year. The Dodgers were able to recall Ramirez six times because they had previously outrighted him after his fifth optional assignment.

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

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