Dodgers claim pitcher Henry Owens
The Dodgers claimed left-hander Henry Owens on waivers Friday, adding a fallen prospect to their stash of pitching depth.
The Boston Red Sox selected Owens out of Huntington Beach Edison in the first round of the 2011 draft, ahead of outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. Owens twice was ranked among the top 50 prospects by Baseball America, but he lost velocity and struggled with command when he arrived in the major leagues.
Owens started 16 games for the Red Sox in 2015-16, with a 4-6 record and 5.19 earned-run average. He also walked 44 in 85 innings.
His command completely betrayed him last season. In 126 innings split between double-A and triple-A, he walked 115, hit 17 batters and threw 17 wild pitches.
The Dodgers claimed him on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who had claimed him two weeks ago from the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks needed to clear a roster spot for Japanese reliever Yoshihisa Hirano, whom they signed to a two-year contract on Friday.
Follow Bill Shaikin on Twitter @BillShaikin
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