Two Dodgers Clear out Their Lockers Ahead of Series Opener Against Mariners

The Los Angeles Dodgers had yet to formally announce the corresponding roster moves to two of their most anticipated additions this season — center fielder/shortstop Tommy Edman and third baseman Max Muncy — when it became obvious who was on his way out.

Nick Ahmed and Andy Pages cleaned out their lockers in advance of Monday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times:

Since both players were on the 60-day injured list, activating Edman and Muncy required the Dodgers make room for both players on both the 40-man and 26-man rosters.

Less than two hours later, the moves were official: Ahmed was designated for assignment while Pages was optioned to the minors.

Ahmed, 34, was out of minor league options. He played 17 games after the Dodgers signed him as a free agent in July. He batted .229 with one home run and two RBIs while providing stalwart defense at shortstop.

Pages, 23, had a .246 batting average, nine home runs and 36 RBIs. He’s endured the typical rookie’s share of ups and downs, at times stabilizing the Dodgers’ lineup and outfield alignments. At other times, he’s struggled to hold his own defensively in center field, and endured stretches where the hits simply didn’t fall.

Overall, Pages has a .246/.305/.388 slash line with nine home runs and 36 RBIs this year. He’s seen time at all three outfield positions and designated hitter in his first tour of major league duty.

When the Dodgers ticketed Edman for center field upon acquiring the veteran from the Cardinals, Pages’ time appeared numbered. Edman, 29, is a career .265/.319/.408 hitter with one Gold Glove on his resume. Edman missed the entire first half of the season after undergoing wrist surgery last offseason.

In 14 minor league rehab games with the Cardinals’ and Dodgers’ affiliates, Edman batted .239 with one home run and a stolen base across the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Muncy, 33, hasn’t played since May as he attempted to recover from an oblique injury. The Dodgers have struggled to replicate his offense at the third base position ever since.

In every non-pandemic season since 2018, Muncy has hit at least 20 home runs. He’d hit nine homers and driven in 28 runs in 40 games prior to the injury, adding length to a Dodgers lineup that has struggled to get production out of the middle and bottom of its lineup.

The Dodgers also placed catcher Austin Barnes on the injured list Monday with a left big toe fracture and promoted Triple-A catcher Hunter Feduccia to take his place as Will Smith’s backup.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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