Dodgers release Dale Thayer from minors contract

For the second time in as many days the Dodgers lost a veteran relief pitcher who was signed to a minor league deal. Dale Thayer was released by the club on Tuesday after opting out of his contract, first reported MLB Trade Rumors.

Thayer was with Double-A Tulsa . The 35-year-old right-hander pitched in seven games for the Drillers, putting up a 6.75 ERA with 10 strikeouts and two walks in eight innings. Thayer pitched Monday night for Tulsa, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits while recording only one out in the ninth inning against Northwest Arkansas, taking the loss.

The Dodgers signed Thayer to a minor league pact on April 3, a week after he opted out of his minor league contract with the Orioles during spring training.

In seven big league seasons, Thayer has a 3.47 ERA in 264 relief appearances, with 213 strikeouts and 66 walks in 251⅔ innings for the Rays, Mets and Padres.

Left-handed relief pitcher Sean Burnett, who was with Triple-A Oklahoma City, was released by the Dodgers on Monday after exercising his opt-out clause. Burnett on Tuesday joined Triple-A Gwinnett after signing a minor league deal with the Braves.

In other transactions, the Drillers placed outfielder Adam Law and Rob Rogers on the seven-day disabled list, and activated outfielder Devan Ahart from the paternity list. Pitchers Tim Shibuya and Red Patterson were sent from Triple-A Oklahoma City to Tulsa.