Dodgers send Craig Stem to Marlins to complete Kyle Jensen trade

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers sent minor league pitcher Craig Stem to the Marlins as the player to be named later to complete the deal for outfielder and first baseman Kyle Jensen, the team announced on Monday. The Dodgers acquired Jensen from the Marlins on Nov. 17 for a player to be named later or cash.

The timing of the move is a little coincidental, as Jensen is reportedly the one who could be designated for assignment once the Dodgers make official their four-year deal for Brandon McCarthy at some point this week, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

If Jensen does get jettisoned, he will be the third player since the beginning of November to be acquired then subsequently designated for assignment by the new Dodgers front office, joining Ryan Jackson and Ryan Lavarnway.

Stem, 25, was 0-5 with a 5.61 ERA and two saves in 45 relief appearances with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga in 2014, with 49 strikeouts and 38 walks in 61 innings, with only three home runs allowed. Stem struggled in Chattanooga, putting up an 8.06 ERA in 19 games, with 19 walks and 19 strikeouts in his 25⅔ innings.

The Dodgers drafted the right-handed pitcher in the 15th round in 2011 out of Trevecca Nazarene University in Tennessee. In his four minor league seasons, Stem put up a 4.28 ERA in 136 games, including one start, with 23 saves, 147 strikeouts and 82 walks in 178⅔ innings.

I'd like to thank the entire @dodgers organization for teaching me more than I ever thought I'd know about baseball and pitching

— Craig Stem (@CraigStem) December 16, 2014

Stem is currently pitching winter ball in Australia, for the Adelaide Bite. The team played Sunday in Sydney, one day before a terrifying situation in the city on Monday.

Since several have asked, I am safely home in Adelaide. Left Sydney yesterday before the hostage situation

— Craig Stem (@CraigStem) December 15, 2014

The Marlins assigned Stem, who turns 25 in January, to Double-A Jacksonville.