Report: Dodgers cut ties with key star after crisis with Coach Dave Roberts

Report: Dodgers cut ties with key star after crisis with Coach Dave Roberts

Dodgers release Jonathan Araúz.
The Dodgers have released Jonathan Araúz, according to his MLB.com player page. The 25-year-old spent the first three months of the season as an infielder with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club.

Arauz signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers last December after declaring free agency at the end of the 2023 season. He spent the previous season in the Mets’ organization, appearing in 100 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and 27 games for the

major league team. However, he was released at the end of the season and elected to pursue a fresh opportunity with another organization.

 

The Phillies signed Arauz as an international free agent in 2014, and he made his professional debut in Philadelphia’s system at the age of 16. Soon after, he was traded to the Astros as part of the Ken Giles transaction. The infielder then played four years in Houston’s minor league system before being selected in the Rule 5 Draft by the Red Sox before to the 2020 season.

Arauz appeared in the majors every year from 2020 to 2023, first with the Red Sox, then with the Orioles and Mets. He has played 95 MLB games, batting.184/.253/.308 in 262 PA. He has never graded out as a very strong fielder or baserunner, but he adds value with his versatility; he can hold his

who value positional versatility, had some concerns about their infield situation heading into the season, thus Arauz made sense as a minor league depth deal. However, he has performed particularly poorly at Triple-A, hitting.227/.286/.324 with a 51 wRC+. Arauz became the odd man out as Oklahoma City’s other infielders performed substantially better.

Arauz is now free to pursue his next career opportunity. He is still under the age of 26, so he should be able to find another club in need of a versatile infielder with major league experience.