Dodgers acquire Zach Walters, James Ramsey from Indians

LOS ANGELES -- Less than a week into the season, the Dodgers literally ran out of depth among position players on their 40-man roster, so they made a deal with the Indians to address that. The club acquired utility man Zach Walters and outfielder James Ramsey from Cleveland on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.

Walters was designated for assignment on Sunday, and Ramsey designated for assignment Monday by the Indians. To make room for them on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred outfielder Andre Ethier and Josh Ravin to the 60-day disabled list.

With Carl Crawford placed on the disabled list and Micah Johnson recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, all 18 position players on the 40-man roster were either on the active roster or the DL. That will change on Monday, when Ramsey and Walters are expected to join Oklahoma City in Memphis.

Walters, 26, was 4-for-30 (.133) in 12 games with Cleveland in 2015, and in parts of three major league seasons has hit .182/.233/.394 in 82 games and 176 plate appearances with the Nationals and Indians. The switch-hitter has played mostly shortstop in the majors and minors but has also seen adequate time at third base, second base and left field.

Ramsey, 26, is an outfielder drafted in the first round by the Cardinals in 2012, acquired by Cleveland at the trade deadline in 2014 for pitcher Justin Masterson. Ramsey, a left-handed hitter, hit .243/.327/.382 with 12 home runs and 21 doubles in 126 games for Triple-A Columbus. He has played all three outfield positions in the minors, with over half of his games in center field.

Walters entered 2016 with one year, two days of service time, and has one option year remaining, having used options in 2014 and 2015. Ramsey has no service time having yet to have played in the majors, and has all three option years remaining.