The Los Angeles Dodgers just made a significant roster move by outrighting left-handed pitcher Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City after he went unclaimed on waivers, according to MLB.com’s transaction record.
This move comes after Ramirez was designated for assignment.
Ramirez had already been outrighted and might have turned down the assignment to pursue free agency. Ramirez pitched two scoreless innings against Tacoma on Saturday, his first appearance since rejoining the Dodgers’ top minor club.
The Dodgers acquired Ramirez from the Yankees on April 2, sending cash to New York in exchange. Given that Ramirez (now 35) had an excellent 2.66 ERA over 40.2 innings in 2023, the Yankees’ decision to designate him for assignment was shocking.
While he had a lower-than-average 16.3 percent strikeout rate last year, he compensated with an amazing 5.2 percent walk rate. Despite a solid season, Ramirez was dropped from the roster early in the season.
Ramirez did not clear waivers after the Yankees designated him for assignment, but he has gone unclaimed twice since being DFA’d by the Dodgers this season.
In 13.1 big league innings, he has struggled, allowing nine runs on 18 hits, seven walks, and only five strikeouts. His performance at Oklahoma City has improved but not stood out; 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 played in the Major Leagues for parts of four seasons, including Detroit (2019-20), San Diego (2021), and New York (AL) (2023). In 96 games, he is 7-7 with a 4.04 ERA. The Milwaukee Brewers originally selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Cal State Fullerton.
Ramirez was last called up on September 8, and to create 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 per calendar year. The Dodgers were able to recall Ramirez six times since they had outrighted him following his fifth voluntary assignment.
