Dodgers cut Dustin McGowan, roster move pending

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers on Tuesday told relief pitcher Dustin McGowan that he would not make the opening day roster, though no official transaction has yet been made.

"I think we all see it there, but with the competition this year we had a number of guys throwing well. We just feel like it didn't happen fast enough," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's not quite fair to a guy, but it's just the way it was this year."

The Dodgers signed McGowan to a major league deal on Feb. 22, though it was a non-guaranteed contract with a base salary at the major league minimum of $507,500. He had a $1 million bonus due if he would have made the active roster.

That the Dodgers haven't officially announced a transaction could mean nothing, or it could mean they are either working to trade him or trying to convince him to remain with the organization on a minor league deal. The Brewers did the latter with old friend Chris Perez, who was released Sunday then re-signed to another minor league contract on Tuesday.

McGowan pitched in seven Cactus League games, allowing six runs on 12 hits in eight innings, with five strikeouts, a walk and three wild pitches.

"We all see his stuff. We see his velocity is up and still there, he's just never quite found that groove. We all like Dustin actually, and I wouldn't really be surprised if it turns out really good for him at some point," Mattingly said. "But we just didn't have the time right now."

If the Dodgers release McGowan, they would owe him 45 days termination pay, approximately $124,795.

McGowan, 33, was 5-3 with a 4.17 ERA and one save in 53 games with the Blue Jays in 2014, including eight starts, with 61 strikeouts and 33 walks in 82 innings.

Though again, no move was officially made, it was a busy morning for the Dodgers, who signed Freddy Garcia, traded for Elliot Johnson and also told non-roster invitee Mike Adams that he wouldn't make the opening day roster.

Mattingly was asked if any other moves have been decided.

"Not that we're really ready to talk about at this point," he said.

There are still technically 40 players left in big league camp for the Dodgers, but with the pending cuts of McGowan and Adams the team is really down to just six more moves to finalize the opening day roster.

UPDATE (April 1): The Dodgers released McGowan one day later.