Cody Snavely
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially DFA’d veteran right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Brasier to make room for recently signed right-handed closer Kirby Yates.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Dodgers tentatively agreed with Kirby Yates last week, a report later confirmed by other Major League Baseball insiders the following day.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the details of the reported deal were a one-year, $13 million contract that could reach $14 million if Yates plays fifty-five games this season. However, the deal could not be made official until the Dodgers made a corresponding move on their 40-man roster, which was full after the signing of lefty Tanner Scott.
After the signings of multiple bullpen arms this winter, Braiser, 37, seemed to be the odd man out despite having a decent track record with the Dodgers.
After being DFA’d by the Boston Red Sox during the 2023 regular season, the Dodgers took a chance on Brasier and reaped the reward as the righty pitched to a 0.70 ERA for the Blue Crew.
Brasier’s efforts earned him a 2-year, $9 million contract with the Dodgers, who re-signed the veteran righty last winter. However, a calf injury and multiple inconsistencies throughout the regular season led to regression.
Brasier pitched to a respectable 3.54 ERA last season in his time played but had that ERA balloon to 5.00 in the postseason, becoming one of Los Angeles’s less dependable arms.
With the DFA, the Dodgers now have ten days to either trade or release Brasier, who could be an excellent pickup for multiple contending teams looking for a veteran bullpen arm. If not, the Dodgers will still be on the hook for his $4.5 million salary for the 2025 season.
The Dodgers will introduce Yates tomorrow at Dodger Stadium at 11:00 AM PT. Yates had a 1.17 ERA, 0.827 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, and thirty-three saves in 61.1 innings pitched last season and was a 2024 American League All-Star.
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