GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Dodgers’ roster crunch is a little less crunchy.
Outfielder Darin Ruf has signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korean baseball league, reportedly for $1.1 million. Ruf was acquired by the Dodgers from the Philadelphia Phillies along with minor-leaguer Darnell Sweeney in a November trade that sent Howie Kendrick to Philadelphia.
That trade saved the Dodgers Kendrick’s $10 million salary and Ruf was deemed expendable in a crowded outfield picture that got deeper with the signing of free agent Franklin Gutierrez last week.
Ruf’s departure clears one spot on the 40-man roster for either Gutierrez or Chase Utley. Position players are scheduled to report Monday.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers officially signed Cuban infielder Jose Miguel Fernandez and extended a non-roster invitation to spring training. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Fernandez is expected in camp this weekend.
Fernandez, 28, signed for a $200,000 bonus after defecting from Cuba in December 2015 and is expected to play in the minor leagues. He has experience at second and third base in Cuba but his only playing time over the past two years was a brief stint in winter ball this year.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
