Shortly after learning Edwin Rios would require season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to address their bench by claiming Yoshi Tsutsugo off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Tsutsugo, who was in the final season of a two-year, $12 million contract, had been designated for assignment by the Rays in order to call up Kevin Padlo. Tsutsugo struggled last year with the Rays and didn’t show much improvement this season.
The Dodgers were confident they could assist the 29-year-old in replicating his success from 10 seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, but he still couldn’t gain much traction.