Dodgers Pick Up Kirby Off Waivers to Strengthen Bench

The Dodgers, needing bench help, claimed left-handed hitting outfielder Wayne Kirby off waivers on Monday.

Kirby, 32, who spent eight years in the Dodger organization but never made the big leagues before leaving in 1990, was put on waivers Thursday by the Cleveland Indians. He had only 16 at-bats with the Indians this season, batting .250 with a double and one run batted in. He played in 101 games last season for Cleveland, batting .207 with one homer and 14 RBIs.

The Dodgers thought so highly of Kirby, quite popular with his Cleveland teammates, that they didn’t want to risk losing him. Instead of waiting for him to clear waivers and possibly acquiring him for the pro-rated minimum salary, they will pay him $199,726--the remainder of his $425,000 salary.

“I talked to Wayne today and said, ‘Wayne, you took the long route to Dodger Stadium, but you finally got here,’ ” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice-president. “He’s a player who can help us. He’s a very good defensive outfielder. He has good speed. He can give us a little bit of punch off the bench.

“We know him well and we’ve always like his approach to the game. He is a great team player.”

The Dodgers preferred Kirby over released outfielder Mark Whiten, primarily because of his makeup, and the fact that Whiten still wants to be an everyday player. The Dodgers did not want to bench left fielder Roger Cedeno or center fielder Todd Hollandsworth.

The Atlanta Braves claimed Whiten on Sunday.

The Dodgers made room on their roster for Kirby by optioning Oreste Marrero to triple-A Albuquerque. Kirby, who can play all three outfield positions, essentially replaces veteran Milt Thompson, who was designated for assignment last week.