2016 Dodgers review: Lisalverto Bonilla

Lisalverto Bonilla had a solid bounce-back season in 2016 after injury but never got called up to the Dodgers.

What went right

The Dodgers claimed Bonilla off waivers from Texas on Oct. 21, 2015, but on Dec. 2 he was non-tendered, making him a free agent. The club retained the rehabbing right-hander with a minor league contract on Dec. 11, 2015 that included a non-roster invitation to spring training.

After having Tommy John surgery on April 17, 2015, he made it back to a mound in under a year, pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 7.

Bonilla posted a 3.45 ERA in 13 starts between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City with 76 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75⅔ innings. After taking a few starts to build up his arm strength, Bonilla lasted at least six innings in each of his last nine starts.

What went wrong

Bonilla struggled in relief, with a 5.09 ERA in 18 games before getting briefly sent down to Double-A Tulsa in June. He had as many walks (20) in 35⅓ innings in relief than he did in 75⅔ innings as a starter.

2016 particulars

Age: 26

Stats: 3.97 ERA in 31 games, 13 starts, 118 K, 40 BB in 111 innings.

Salary: n/a

Game of the year

Bonilla struck out six in six scoreless innings in his final regular season start for Oklahoma City, on Sept. 2.

Roster status

Bonilla became a minor league free agent after the season, then signed a major league deal with the Pirates on Nov. 29.