PHOENIX -- The Dodgers made more roster cuts after Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Royals at Camelback Ranch, sending seven more players to minor league camp.
Pitchers Julio Urias, Jose De Leon and Ross Stripling, on the outside looking in in the Dodgers' battle for a fifth starter, were all sent to minor league camp. Stripling, since he is on the 40-man. was optioned while the other two were reassigned.
Stripling pitched two scoreless innings in Thursday's game.
Others on the 40-man roster optioned to minor league camp were second baseman Micah Johnson and pitchers Ian Thomas and Yaisel Sierra. Sierra, who signed a six-year, $30 million contract in February, has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring, though still may do so before camp ends. It would just be from the minor league side.
For Johnson, who really only plays second base, he is stuck on the depth chart behind Howie Kendrick and Chase Utley, plus Kiké Hernandez as well.
"The one thing he does bring to the table is that he can really run. To bring that type of speed, we don't really have any burners. He definitely brings a dynamic," manager Dave Roberts said of Johnson earlier in camp. "His bat to ball skills, he can conduct an at-bat. Those are nice components for a player."
Catcher Jack Murphy, a non-roster invitee, was also reassigned to minor league camp.
These moves leave the Dodgers with 46 active players remaining in big league camp, including 22 pitchers, 24 position players and 11 non-roster invitees.