Dodgers swipe pitcher from Giants in latest roster move

The Los Angeles Dodgers won’t see the San Francisco Giants until late May, but they’re making sure the rivalry stays fresh in the meantime.

On Saturday, the Dodgers claimed pitcher Ashton Goudeau off waivers and added him to the team’s 40-man roster after he was designated for assignment by the Giants.

We’re unsure what the Dodgers’ motives are here given Goudeau’s limited MLB experience.

He made his big league debut in 2020 with the Colorado Rockies, but was tagged and finished with a 7.56 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in four games (8.1 innings).

Could another player be headed to the injured list? Do the Dodgers feel they need some pitching reinforcements given the injuries to Tony Gonsolin, Joe Kelly and Brusdar Graterol?

Or is this just another way to stick it to the division rivals?

Either someone needs to hit the IL or someone needs to be designated for assignment. What’s the corresponding move going to be?

Goudeau, 28, spent his last full season as a starter with Double-A Hartford, while he was still with the Rockies, and registered a 2.07 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 16 outings. He also appeared in six Arizona Fall League games that year as a reliever and didn’t give up a single run.

Perhaps the Dodgers are intrigued by that recent work from the right-hander. Otherwise, with their stacked staff, we’re not entirely sure where he’d fit in.

Goudeau spent spring training with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, pitching in two games (four innings) and allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five. He didn’t break camp with the team, then was picked up by the Giants, and is now with the Dodgers.

This is nothing new for Goudeau, who’s bounced around the league before, making stops with the Royals (the team that drafted him), Mariners and Pirates before being with his three most recent teams since December.

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