Dodgers DFA top reliever after failing to find trade partner

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 3
World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 3 | Al Bello/GettyImages

The Dodgers' 40-man roster filled to capacity after they made their deal with Tanner Scott official, but when Kirby Yates' signing came right on Scott's heels, the question was who LA was going to bump off the roster in order to make room for him.

A few candidates immediately came to mind. Michael Grove, a former top prospect, has floundered at the major league level over three seasons. Justin Wrobleski got a bit of a tryout last season but didn't impress much.

However, Bob Nightengale reported that the Dodgers were shopping some of their "surplus" in the wake of the Yates news. Namely, they were shopping reliever Ryan Brasier, who was brought back last season on a two-year, $4.5 million deal after breaking back into the majors following a minor league deal signed in June 2023.

The Dodgers aren't the kind of team that stands by their prospects when they can't hack it, but maybe Grove knows something that the front office doesn't want becoming public information. On Thursday, they DFA'ed Brasier to make Yates' signing official.

Dodgers designate Ryan Brasier for assignment as Kirby Yates signing becomes official

After Brasier was called up in late June of 2023, he had an incredible run over 38 2/3 innings, allowing just three earned runs for a 0.70 ERA. He certainly deserved the new deal the Dodgers gave him when he hit free agency at the end of the season, though they did make him wait a while into the offseason before they decided to bring him back.

During April of last season, he seemed to lose whatever rhythm he'd found when he initially got to LA. He pitched just under 10 innings out of the Dodgers bullpen to a 5.59 ERA, and then he hit the IL on April 29 before being transferred to the 60-day in June. He returned in mid-August and was spotless through the rest of the month, but he lost his footing again in September. The postseason wasn't kind to him, either; he pitched nine innings over the NLDS, LCS, and World Series for a 5.00 ERA.

It's likely that someone who needs a little extra backend bullpen help will claim Brasier off of waivers, or the Dodgers will make a low-stakes trade that they just couldn't get done before needing to officially install Yates on the roster. Brasier is a veteran who's now a two-time World Series champ (he also won in 2018 with the Red Sox), so despite his struggles last season, it is a little sad that it had to end like this.

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