2016 Dodgers review: Cole Figueroa

Today, we relive the 11 glorious days that was Cole Figueroa's time on the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

What went right

The utility man made the Pirates' opening day roster but barely played, going 4-for-26 (.154) in the first 10 weeks of the season. After getting designated for assignment by Pittsburgh, Figueroa was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers on June 28, 2016.

The Dodgers optioned Figueroa to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he was 6-for-19 (.313) with a triple, three RBI, three walks, three steals and five runs scored in six games.

Figueroa played three games at shortstop, two at third base and one game at second base for Oklahoma City.

What went wrong

Figueroa was a guest on The Ringer MLB Show on Aug. 4, and explained his brief time with the Dodgers in an interview with Ben Linbdbergh.

Figueroa met the Oklahoma City Dodgers on a road trip in Nashville, and after three home games had finally secured an apartment with his wife in OKC. Roughly 30 minutes after moving in to the apartment, Figueroa got a call to come to the ballpark early.

He was designated for assignment on July 8, 2016, making room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Andrew Toles.

"It was just a move they had to make. When you think about the logistics of a team, and you can't always think about it on a personal level. It's not personal," Figueroa said. "Everything is done for the betterment of the team.

"Typically what teams do, at least from my understanding, they go down the list and figure out who they think is least likely to get picked up or claimed."

Figueroa explained the toll of such a transaction, especially after he and his wife had to deal with leaving their apartment in Pittsburgh and move at a moment's notice.

"When I had to make that phone call to my wife, I was dreading it," he said. "She had been a trooper thus far, but it definitely starts wearing on the stress levels."

The Dodgers' roster gamble was correct, as Figueroa was not claimed on waivers. But he had the right to refuse his outright assignment to the minors, and instead became a free agent. He signed a major league deal with the Marlins on July 16.

2016 particulars

Age: 29

Stats: .313/.409/.421, 3 SB, 5 runs in 6 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City

Salary: unknown

Game of the year

Figueroa was 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI at Nashville on July 3.

Roster status

Figueroa was designated for assignment by the Marlins at the end of July and sent outright to the minors. This time, he accepted the assignment and played out the year for Triple-A New Orleans. He elected free agency on Oct. 10.