2016 Dodgers review: Mike Bolsinger

The second time around for Mike Bolsinger with the Dodgers didn’t work out as well as his first season in Los Angeles. Here is a recap of his 2016 season, which ended in a different league.

What went right

The Dodgers acquired Bolsinger in November 2014 from Arizona for cash, and he was a pleasant surprise, giving them essentially a league-average pitcher for 21 starts in 2015.

Looking to build on that success in 2016, Bolsinger beat out a three-man race for the Dodgers’ fifth starter job during spring training, with Zach Lee optioned on March 20 and Brandon Beachy still sidelined with elbow issues. But before Bolsinger could celebrate ....

What went wrong

On the day that Bolsinger essentially won the fifth starter competition, March 20, he was scratched before his spring start with abdominal tightness, and he ended up missing two months with a strained oblique.

After rejoining the Dodgers and entering the rotation in May, Bolsinger allowed seven home runs in just 27⅔ innings in his six starts with the Dodgers. Opposing batters hit .303/.367/.541 against him.

Bolsinger lasted five innings in only three of his six starts, topping out at 5⅔ innings, and recorded only three outs in the sixth inning in total.

He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City twice.

Bolsinger was traded to the Blue Jays on Aug. 1 in exchange for pitcher Jesse Sanchez.

2016 particulars

Age: 28

Stats: 1-4, 6.83 ERA, 5.82 FIP in 6 starts, 25 K, 9 BB in 27⅔ IP; -0.5 rWAR, -0.1 fWAR

Salary: $515,000, a pro-rated share during his time in the majors, roughly $217,000

Game of the year

Bolsinger struck out six and walked only one in 5⅔ innings on May 24, allowing two runs on three hits in a win over the Reds at Dodger Stadium.

Roster status

Bolsinger is on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster.