The Dodgers have moved on from catcher Chuckie Robinson, who was released after being designated for assignment and clearing outright waivers last week, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com.
The timing fits into a catching situation in Los Angeles that has changed quickly over the past few weeks. Not long ago, Will Smith and Dalton Rushing were locked in at the top, with no other catcher on the 40-man roster.
When Smith landed on the IL in June, Robinson got the call. Then in July, he was bumped aside for Eliezer Alfonzo.
After Robinson cleared waivers, he accepted an outright assignment and stayed on as the #3 behind Rushing and Alonzo.
That depth chart shifted again when Rushing hit the IL earlier this month. Robinson was briefly brought back up, but the Dodgers then added both Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt at the deadline.
Feduccia and Rortvedt are now on the major league roster, while Alfonzo has been optioned to Triple-A. With that group in place, Robinson’s chances of getting another shot in Los Angeles look slim.
Smith and Rushing are both trying to return before the season ends, and even if another injury comes up before then, Alfonzo would likely be next in line.
For Robinson, the release sends him back to the open market. His bat has never been the selling point - he owns a .124/.157/.176 line in the majors - but teams have continued to value him as a depth catcher because of his defense and the way he handles a pitching staff.
He has also spent brief stretches with the Reds, White Sox and Dodgers in recent years. Since he cleared waivers just last week, his next stop is expected to come in the form of a minor league deal.
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