The Los Angeles Dodgers designated Casey Sadler for assignment in order to create room for Alex Wood on their 40-man roster. The team made the signing of Wood to a one-year contract official on Wednesday.
The Dodgers now have seven days to trade, release or outright Sadler off the roster. He joined the team four weeks before the trade deadline this past season as one of the early steps the Dodgers took toward addressing their bullpen.
Sadler was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Nathan Witt. Up to that point Sadler had only appeared in a combined 20 games over parts of the 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Rays.
He struggled with Pittsburgh but had a 1.86 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.09 WHIP in nine games for Tampa Bay last year. Sadler received more opportunities with the Dodgers and also pitched for their Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate.
LA! You were everything we didn’t know we needed. It was an honor, and an experience my family and I will cherish forever! I couldn’t have asked for better fans, teammates, & staff, each helped renew that childlike love of baseball in me that I will carry on! Thank you! pic.twitter.com/6a9NpCuYqd
— Casey Sadler (@sadler_squared) January 16, 2020
In 24 games for L.A., he went 4-0 with one save, a 2.33 ERA, 4.40 FIP and 1.22 WHIP. Sadler only appeared in two games with OKC, allowing four runs on six hits over eight innings.
Sadler’s performance at the Major League level steadily earned him increased chances to pitch in high-leverage situations. Despite that, however, he was not included on the Dodgers’ active roster for the National League Division Series.
It’s certainly plausible Sadler remains with the organization and begins the season with Oklahoma City. But his success with L.A. could lend to interest from other clubs.
As for Wood, he’s expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during Spring Training. That will likely hold true for Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Jimmy Nelson and Ross Stripling as well.
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