What was that about again? Dodgers release Alberto Callaspo
Dodgers third baseman Alberto Callaspo puts a tag on Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen as he tries to take third on a wild pitch during a game on Aug. 7.
And then they bid a sweet farewell. Anyway, it was definitely goodbye.
Thursday the Dodgers officially released third baseman Alberto Callaspo, ending his brief and nondescript career in blue.
Callaspo was designated for assignment on Aug. 19, so that he went unclaimed and was ultimately released was not exactly high on the surprise scale. He was making $3 million this season.
A switch-hitter, Callaspo was neither very good nor completely awful during his nearly three-month career as a Dodger. He played a decent third and hit .260 but with only a .301 slugging percentage.
He came to the Dodgers at the end of May in what was then a mystifying trade and now seems like a complete waste. The Dodgers sent Juan Uribe and right-hander Chris Withrow, a former No.1 pick to the Braves, for Callaspo.
The departure of Callaspo leaves the Dodgers without a backup third baseman, the one position they most need one, Manager Don Mattingly preferring not to start Justin Turner more than three of four consecutive days.
The Dodgers are working career second baseman Chase Utley and utility man Enrique Hernandez at third in the hopes one, or both, can occasionally give Turner a break.
Follow Steve Dilbeck on Twitter @SteveDilbeck
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