The defending World Series champs released utilityman Chris Taylor on Sunday. Los Angeles also activated Tommy Edman from the 10-day injured list.
Taylor, 34, has spent the last 10 seasons with the Dodgers since joining the team via trade from the Seattle Mariners in 2016. He signed a four-year, $60 million deal to stay with the team in 2021 and was in the final season of that contract.
With appearances at all three outfield spots, shortstop and second base, Taylor has been a go-to utility man for the Dodgers in recent seasons but has been unable to contribute as much on offence of late.
In 28 games this season, he has only 35 plate appearances and is batting .200 with a .457 OPS with no home runs.
Over his 10 seasons with the Dodgers, Taylor batted .250 with a .761 OPS and 108 home runs. He was named an All-Star for the first and only time of his career in 2021, won NLCS MVP in 2017 and won two World Series with the club.
The Dodgers also DFA’d 35-year-old catcher Austin Barnes earlier this week to make room for top prospect Dalton Rushing. Barnes and Taylor were the two longest-tenured position players on the Dodgers, with the catcher having played 11 seasons with the organization.
Edman was placed on the injured list April 30 due to a right ankle injury. He posted a .252/.295/.523 slash line with eight home runs in 30 games before the injury.
