Rockies swipe former Dodgers catcher off waivers after Will Smith return
A former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher continues to bounce around the NL West, this time landing with the Colorado Rockies after his time in LA came to a conclusion upon Will Smith's return to the lineup.
On Thursday, the Rockies claimed Austin Wynns off waivers from the Dodgers. Wynns was designated for assignment on Monday as Smith came back after 13 days on the concussion IL, but will now join the Rockies' active roster.
In the span of one month, Wynns will have played for the Giants, Dodgers and Rockies. He logged 65 games for the Giants in 2022 but was designated for assignment by San Francisco after just one game in 2023. In his five games with the Dodgers, he started four behind the plate, threw out two runners and socked a two-run double.
Unfortunately, that was during the Dodgers' cold streak, and they lost all four games Wynns started. But he might have a role in Colorado with the Rockies seemingly looking to upgrade at the backup catcher position.
With Elias Diaz off to a tremendous start in 2023, backup Brian Serven as been really bad in his 23 plate appearances (.130 AVG., .304 OPS, -22 OPS+). The 28-year-old didn't exactly prove himself in 2022, either.
Former Dodgers catcher Austin Wynns is now with the Colorado Rockies
Wynns was never expected to remain in LA beyond Smith's absence. Austin Barnes is the mainstay backup and the Dodgers would've searched for a better long-term option if they needed to address the position in that manner.
The 32-year-old was fairly impressive on the defensive side of the ball during his short stint with the Dodgers, but hasn't exactly been known for that throughout his career (-8 DRS and a -11.1 framing grade).
With Serven possessing three minor-league options, the Rockies are seemingly going to roll the dice with Wynns in an effort to upgrade (even marginally) at the catcher position.
We'll see how long Wynns lasts. The Dodgers don't play the Rockies again until June 27, so if LA runs into its former catcher over the next seven weeks, you'll know he's been pulling his weight.