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LOS ANGELES — Dodgers infielder Charlie Culberson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City, the club announced on Friday.
The move gives the Dodgers 39 players on their 40-man roster, leaving a space open for the team to sign, for instance, a free agent third baseman or closer some time soon.
Culberson will forever be known for hitting the walk-off home run that clinched the National League West for the Dodgers, a play that also ended the final home game of Vin Scully’s 67-year broadcasting career.
The utility infielder hit .299/.309/.388 in 34 games and 68 plate appearances in 2016, and started games at shortstop, second base and third for the Dodgers.
Culberson, who turns 28 in April, was out of options.
He was already signed for 2017 at a reported $550,000. As someone who has been outrighhted before, Culberson has the right to refuse the outright assignment and become a free agent, but it is unclear whether he will do so.
If Culberson does stick around, I would guess he would be a non-roster invitee to big league camp in spring training.