The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially released right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer after designating him for assignment.
More news: Braves Officially Release Veteran Pitcher After Disappointing Stint in Atlanta
The Dodgers DFA’d the 26-year-old pitcher over the weekend to clear a 40-man roster spot amid their catcher injury crisis to both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing. Sauer then went to waivers, where he passed through unclaimed. The Dodgers have now decided to release him to free agency.
Sauer initially joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal this past offseason. At first an afterthought, Sauer ended up making the team’s Tokyo Series roster amid a slew of injuries.
Sauer didn’t play in either of the regular season games and was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City to open the season. However, as injuries quickly piled up, Sauer earned multiple opportunities throughout the year.
The right-hander ended up making 10 appearances (one start) for the Dodgers at the big league level this season, accruing a 6.37 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 29.2 innings. Across 18 appearances (17 starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sauer had a 5.86 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 83 innings.
More news: Cubs Sign Former Cardinals, Rockies Pitcher for Stretch Run of Season
Sauer is now free to sign with any team for the remainder of the season. While he won’t be eligible to pitch in the postseason, he’ll have the opportunity to audition for a contract for the 2026 season.
Matt Sauer Career
Sauer was initially drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
He worked his way up the minor league ranks but never received an MLB call up from New York. Thus, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals ahead of the 2024 season in the Rule 5 draft.
Sauer made 14 appearances with the Royals in 2024, sporting a 7.71 ERA across 16.1 innings of work. He was designated for assignment and returned to the Yankees, where he appeared in both Double-A and Triple-A before electing free agency.
Sauer has six pitches in his arsenal, mainly relying on a cutter, four-seam fastball, slider and sinker while also mixing in a split finger and occasional curveball. After predominantly throwing a four-seam fastball with the Royals, the Dodgers had him mix in the secondaries more, throwing the slider and sinker about as often as the fastball, with the cutter being his No. 1 pitch in LA.
For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
The post Dodgers Officially Cut Ties With 6.37-ERA Pitcher appeared first on Newsweek.
