Robbie

Erlin

No huge surprises in this batch of cuts for the Dodgers -- as is often the case so early in camp. Both Erlin and Yamamoto have plenty of big league experience, but each were longshots to crack the club’s Opening Day bullpen. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either of them with the Dodgers at some point during the 2023 campaign though.

The 32-year-old hurler elected to explore the free agent market this winter, but wound up deciding that staying with the Dodgers was the best course of action for him. Erlin spent the bulk of the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City where he posted a 7.01 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 77 innings of work.

Erlin signed a minor league contract last offseason with the Dodgers and wound up making a pair of relief appearances for Los Angeles, making it back to the big leagues for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 32-year-old southpaw should be able to latch on somewhere this offseason as extra organizational relief depth.

Erlin passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will remain with the Dodgers as organizational relief depth. The 31-year-old lefty wound up making a pair of relief appearances during his brief time in Los Angeles’ bullpen.

The Dodgers needed to clear room on the active and 40-man roster for Ryan Pepiot, and Erlin is the arm that has to go. The left-hander gave up two runs in two appearances with the Dodgers, and could see some interest on the waiver wire via claim or trade.

Erlin was summoned to serve as the Dodgers’ 27th man for Saturday’s doubleheader and tossed a scoreless inning against the Cubs. He’ll remain with Los Angeles moving forward as a long reliever. Fellow lefty Justin Bruihl was jettisoned to the minors over the weekend in a corresponding move. The 31-year-old lefty has recorded a 5.82 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 20/9 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings (five appearances, three starts) this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Erlin will provide the Dodgers with some additional bullpen depth ahead of Saturday’s twin billing against the Cubs. The 31-year-old lefty has recorded a 5.82 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 20/9 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings (five appearances, three starts) this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

There are several prominent names in this first round of cuts from Dodgers’ camp, including Gaviglio, Wahl, Erlin, Duplantier and Ramirez all being jettisoned. There’s plenty of big-league experience among that group and it wouldn’t be surprising to see several of them in the majors this season. Among the position players, Vargas has made an impression this spring, launching some tape-measure homers in Cactus League action.

Erlin got the start for the Dodgers in Sunday’s Cactus League game agains the Cubs. He worked around a single and a walk in the first inning, then two more base hits in the second before tossing a clean third frame to end his day. The 31-year-old left-hander offers Los Angeles some organizational depth, but holds no fantasy value.

Erlin pitched in Japan in 2021 for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The 31-year-old holds a 4.85 ERA over parts of seven major league seasons.