Dodgers: Donnie Hart Claimed Off Waivers From the Orioles

ST PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 09: Donnie Hart #57 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 9, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 09: Donnie Hart #57 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 9, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers made a roster move on Thursday as they claimed reliever Donnie Hart off waivers and designated Josh Fields for assignment.

A roster move was made by the Dodgers on Thursday as they claimed Donnie Hart off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and designated Josh Fields for assignment.  The move is a bit unexpected since the Dodgers gave Fields 2.8 million this winter although that number will be reduced if the Dodgers find a trade partner in the next week or he is claimed off waivers.

Hart profiles as a lefty specialist who has a sidearm delivery and induces ground balls.  He has induced nearly 53% of his outs via the groundball in his career and averages 87-88 miles per hour on his fastball.  He also features a changeup and sweeping slider but relies primarily on his heavy fastball.  Hart does have an option left so the Dodgers could stash him in Triple-A in case an injury occurs to Scott Alexander or Tony Cingrani.

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Donnie Hart had success with the Orioles in 2016 and 2017, but he struggled in 2018 pitching to a 5.59 ERA in just over nineteen innings.  His best run came in 2016 when he posted stellar 0.49 ERA and .194 average against in 18 1/3 innings.  With Tony Cingrani proving to be injury prone in recent seasons, Hart is another good depth move by Friedman.

Josh Fields was out of options so now the door has been opened for J.T. Chargois or Yimi Garcia to make the team.  Yimi Garcia is out of options while it’s unclear if Chargois has any options left but he is supposed to have one left according to Roster Resource.  The move cements the Josh Fields trade as one of the few busts under Andrew Friedman’s reign as they gave up Yordan Alvarez who is now a top one hundred prospect with the Astros.

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Josh Fields had a good but inconsistent run with the Dodgers.  When healthy he pitched effectively and did a good job of shutting down right-handed batters but he had trouble staying injury free.  His brief postseason career has not been good and he did not make the Dodgers’ playoff roster last season.  He was hit hard in the 2017 World Series where he allowed two home runs and did not record a single out.